It is illegal for any player to put adhesive or slippery substances such as the product “stickum” on his body, equipment or uniform. This rule is known as both the “Lester Hayes Rule” and the “Fred Biletnikoff Rule” since both players were notorious for using sticky substances to make it easier for them to intercept/catch passes.
An offensive player who comes into the game wearing an illegal number for the position he takes must report to the referee before the start of the next play.
The penalty for an ineligible receiver who touches a forward pass is a loss of down.
The penalty for illegal use of hands, arms, or body is reduced from 15 yards to 10 yards.
The penalty for intentional grounding is modified: loss of down and 10 yards penalty from the previous spot, or if the foul occurs more than 10 yards from the line of scrimmage, loss of down at the spot of the foul.
Officials began wearing numbers 21 through 25 within their position groups after going no higher than number 20 in 1979 and 1980.
Final standings
W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PCT = Winning Percentage, PF= Points For, PA = Points Against
Tiebreakers
Baltimore finished ahead of New England in the AFC East based on head-to-head sweep.
San Diego finished ahead of Denver in the AFC West based on better division record.
Buffalo was the second AFC Wild Card based on head-to-head victory over Denver.
Detroit finished ahead of Green Bay in the NFC Central based on better record against common opponents.
Playoffs
Records, milestones, and notable statistics
Records Set
Most Passes Attempted, Season, 709
Most Punts, Season, 114
Most Yards, Punt Returns, Both Teams, Game, 282
Records Tied
Most Touchdowns, Passing, Single Team, Game, 7
Most Touchdowns, Punt Returns, Single Team, Game, 2
Baltimore Colts Defense
were one of the worst defenses in NFL history; they set five dubious defensive records:
New Orleans Saints: Bum Phillips joined the Saints after being fired by the Oilers. Dick Nolan was fired after a 0–12 start in 1980, and Dick Stanfel took over as interim.
The Cincinnati Bengals made significant modifications to their uniforms for the first time since the team's debut in 1968, discontinuing the design similar to the Cleveland Browns' jerseys. Orange and black tiger stripes were added to the jerseys and pants. Black tiger stripes were also added to the orange helmets.
The Dallas Cowboys adopted a new blue jersey which was darker than its predecessors and featured silver numbers. The Cowboys wore this blue jersey through 1994.
The Houston Oilers resumed wearing blue pants with their white jerseys.
