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Private Notes
The year before, New York had lost a heartbreaker to Houston in overtime. Now, in Shea Stadium on November 23, the Jets were about to get a rare smile in a mediocre season. Again the Jets and Oilers went to overtime, but now New York prevailed, 31-28.
Never before had the tightness of the NFC Central Division shown itself more clearly. Chicago outpowered Detroit on Thanksgiving Day, November 27. Then came Minnesota's supposed no-contest with winless New Orleans–a game that was anything but easy. And then there was that Tampa Bay battle with Green Bay in Milwaukee. With the Bucs' triumph, all five NFC Central teams were still in the race.
Both the Eagles and Falcons would soar to the championship of their respective division in 1980, but both would come late. Against hostile Philly on December 7, Atlanta took the one step closer to their first-ever NFC West crown, 20-17.
The ""Kardiac Kids"" from Cleveland found themselves in the identical situation as in 1979. Beat Cincinnati and the Browns go into the playoffs; lose and the Browns go home. In typical Browns' fashion, this game went down to the final minutes. This was a hard-hitting game between two bitter rivals. Cleveland came out on top, 27-24, to capture their first AFC Central title in nine years.
The Eagles had waited 20 years to play in a championship game. On this blustery cold day of January 11, 1981, they faced principal NFC East rival Dallas. Despite the Cowboys' penchant for the unexpected, Philadelphia braved best in the cold, never letting up in a 20-7 win for their first NFC Championship.
The AFC title game played January 11, 1981 was an aerial shootout. Unfortunately for ""Air Coryell"" and their hometown San Diego fans, the wild card Raiders got off to the early advantage. At one point in the first half, Oakland led by two touchdowns. The Chargers fought back gamely, but Oakland held firm 34-27.
