1980 Philadelphia Eagles: First Flight

1980 Philadelphia Eagles: First Flight

1980 Philadelphia Eagles: First Flight

In the final of three consecutive appearances in the championship games, the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Los Angeles Rams 14-0. It was the culmination of the 1949 season that they finished with a record of 11-1. The Eagles repeated as champions after winning the previous year. They entered the 1950s believing their success would continue into the next decade, but the Eagles wouldn’t return to the NFL championship game until 1960. The Eagles defeated a team on the cusp of a dynasty, the Green Bay Packers. After winning three of four appearances in the championship game, the city of Philadelphia would have to wait well into the Super Bowl era before seeing the Eagles play for a championship again.

In 1979, the Eagles won their first playoff game since the NFL-AFL merger. They defeated the Chicago Bears, but they would lose the following week in the Divisional round. The Eagles took another step forward in their defeat. They made the playoffs the year before and set their sights for a higher prize in 1980.

The Eagles had a scorching start to the 1980 season. They started by winning eleven of their first twelve games. The Eagles outscored their first three opponents 104-16. They lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in Week 4 before reeling off eight consecutive wins. The Eagles were led on offense by their quarterback, Ron Jaworski. After submitting a pedestrian 1979 season where he completed 50% of his passes for 2669 yards, 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, “The Polish Rifle” made a leap forward. In 1980, Jaworski received the first and only Pro Bowl selection in his career. He completed 57% of his passes for 3529 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.

Jaworski’s successful campaign can be attributed to the two excellent wide receivers catching his passes. Charlie Smith led the team in receiving yards with 825. He also added 3 touchdowns. Harold Carmichael caught 9 touchdowns to go with his 47 receptions and 817 receiving yards. The offense was 6th in the league in points scored. The offense was good, but the defense was even better.

The Eagles defense allowed the fewest points in the league in 1980. They allowed a paltry 13.9 points per game and allowed the second fewest total yards. The Eagles were anchored by their Pro Bowl nose tackle, Charlie Johnson. Despite losing three of their final four games, the Eagles captured the NFC East division crown in 1980 after finishing second the previous two years.

They earned a first round bye and came back from an early 14-0 deficit to defeat the Minnesota Vikings in the Divisional round. Philadelphia’s Wilbert Montgomery ran for 2 touchdowns and the defense held the Vikings to only 36 rushing yards in their victory. The defense and Montgomery would raise their game again in the NFC Championship game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Jaworski struggled against the Dallas defense. He completed only 9 of his 29 pass attempts for 91 yards. He also threw 2 interceptions and zero touchdown passes. Jaworski’s poor performance in the passing game didn’t affect the running game. Montgomery ran for an astounding 194 yards and a touchdown. The defense forced four turnovers and held Tony Dorsett to 41 yards. Thanks to the defense and Montgomery’s performance, the Eagles earned their franchise’s first trip to the Super Bowl.

Montgomery and the defense stalled in Super Bowl XV against the Oakland Raiders. Montgomery was held to 44 yards and the Raiders’ Jim Plunkett threw for 261 yards and 3 touchdowns on his way to earning Super Bowl MVP honors. Ron Jaworski struggled again. He threw one touchdown and three interceptions. The Eagles lost 27-10 and the team with three championships would have to wait longer for their first title in the Super Bowl era.