Template:1980–81 NFL playoffs

Note: The San Diego Chargers (the AFC 1 seed) did not play the Oakland Raiders (the 4 seed) in the Divisional playoff round because both teams were in the same division.
Jan 4 – Cleveland Stadium
4 Oakland 14
Dec 28 – Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Jan 11 – Jack Murphy Stadium
2* Cleveland 12
AFC
5 Houston 7 4 Oakland 34
Jan 3 – Jack Murphy Stadium
4 Oakland 27 1 San Diego 27
AFC Championship
3 Buffalo 14
Jan 25 – Louisiana Superdome
1* San Diego 20
Divisional playoffs
Wild Card playoffs A4 Oakland 27
Jan 4 – Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium
N2 Philadelphia 10
Super Bowl XV
4 Dallas 30
Dec 28 – Texas Stadium Jan 11 – Veterans Stadium
1 Atlanta 27
NFC
5 Los Angeles 13 4 Dallas 7
Jan 3 – Veterans Stadium
4 Dallas 34 2 Philadelphia 20
NFC Championship
3 Minnesota 16
2 Philadelphia 31