1980 12 22 MNF Pittsburgh Steelers at San Diego Chargers

[@rcviolet6]

Remember 1980 fondly for essentially marking the end of that steeler- defined era - but the chargers ultimately let a golden opportunity slip away that year

[@snakeoiler1292]

The San Diego Chokers. 79-82. Would lose to quarterbacks like Gifford Neilson, David Woodley and Jim Plunkett. They could not even win with home field advantages throughout the playoffs. As a young teenager I would be so depressed in the off seasons. Then again that cheapskate owner Eugene Klein allowing Fred Dean and John Jefferson to escape to other teams did not help matters much either.

[@clightning9703]

i remember that... Jefferson went to all places, Green Bay.... that's when the Packers were a shit team. and yea dean went another team, 49rs?

[@rankinnwc]

Snake Oiler 12 by 1984 3/4 of starters of the regular DL of this team was helping the 49ers win the Super Bowl. Fred Dean was the first to get traded and he said in an interview that he got paid less than his brother in law who was a truck driver.

[@manuginobilisbaldspot424]

Jim Plunkett also beat the MVP in Sipe, a Super Bowl champ in Stabler, and then totally outplayed Jaworski in the Super Bowl. That’s the Raiders not the Chargers. Losing to the Oilers in 79 remains unconscionable. Forget Nielsen...they didn’t even face Earl Campbell! It’s unreal that team didn’t win the Super Bowl.

[@joearroyo482]

As great as these Chargers offenses were, they also turned the ball over a lot, especially in playoff games. For example: 1979 against the Oilers, Fouts three 5 INTs 1980 against Raiders, Chargers had 3 turnovers, including 2 Fouts INTs. 1981 against Bengals, San Diego had 4 turnovers 1982 against Dolphins, Bolts had 7 turnovers, including 5 Fouts INTs. Some may argue that it was the lack of a good defense or running game that doomed the Chargers. However, they had good defenses in 1979 and 1980. They also had a good running game in 1980-1982, with Muncie rushing more than 1000 yards in 1981. I guess the old Coryell saying is true: they lived and died by the pass. Unfortunately in playoff games, when they faced better teams, they did in fact die by their strength.

[@manuginobilisbaldspot424]

Another example that San Diego had Pittsburgh’s number over this five year period. Chargers would’ve ended the Steeler dynasty one title short if they hadn’t blown that game against Houston in the 79 playoffs.

[@davidboda1640]

one for the thumb in '81

[@benashworth687]

30:50 perfect

[@davidboda1640]

warsh'd up

[@clightning9703]

Growing up the chargers were very entertaining to watch... i was too young to understand but with so many weapons why couldn't Chargers be solid Superbowl contenders for at least a few years? perhaps a weak run game? or a not a 'complete defense'.. Elway & the Broncos were in a few times but had a weak defense. i just can't figure it out.

[@rankinnwc]

I think their best opportunities were 79 and 80 when they had a good defense and still had those offensive weapons. In 81 they started to let the defensive stars go and by 83 they were just another also-ran.

[@clightning9703]

@@rankinnwc ,,, your right by 83 they were a has been, but man 79-82, they was a golden opportunity & just blew i don't understand. they had the weapons.

[@rankinnwc]

Boo Ya in 79 Fouts played a terrible game in the Divisional against Houston in 80 they got behind Oakland early in the AFC championship and couldn’t make up the difference. 81 No team could have survived that game in Miami and then win the next week in Cincinnati with that weather.

[@clightning9703]

@@rankinnwc ... i remember the winter game in Cincy....you think Chargers had a better chance to beat 49rs.

[@rankinnwc]

Boo Ya I would say yes because of the experience factor.

[@davidboda1640]

Muncie drug use