by Mike Siani
When the Redskins won the toss, the Raiders defense responded to pressure and overwhelmed quarterback Billy Kilmer’s attack. The Raiders continued to march goalward. Finally, it was time for ageless marvel George Blanda and the field goal team to clinch the Raiders’ momentous 26–23 triumph, ensuring an eleventh consecutive winning season for the silver and black.
Week 11 vs. Atlanta
A Raiders victory against Atlanta would mean an unprecedented eighth division championship in nine years.
Despite Oakland’s deluge of points—three touchdowns by Branch and one by van Eeghen—Steve Bartkowski brought Atlanta to the front, 34–31. With just six seconds left, a Blanda field goal tied the game, and this time even the extra period was a nail-biter.
But once again George Blanda was called in. The 36-yard field goal was good, and Oakland beat Atlanta, 37–34.
Week 12 vs. Denver
The following week, a Monday-night TV audience saw the Oakland Raiders, reigning AFC Western Division champions, go for seven wins in a row. The defense was superb as second effort had become first nature.
Rookie Charlie Phillips started for the injured Jack Tatum and grabbed a record-tying three interceptions. Ken Stabler guided the offense for two scores—one by Harold Hart and the other by Pete Banaszak. Final score: Oakland 17, Denver 10. The Raiders record now stood at 10–2.
Week 13 vs. Houston
The rejuvenated Houston Oilers were in Oakland for a game that was fiercely contested. With impenetrable protection from Art Shell, Henry Lawrence, and George Buehler, left-handers Ken Stabler and David Humm hit Branch and Bradshaw for touchdowns and drilled the Oilers for 26 points and a narrow Raiders lead.
But the Oilers rallied and threatened to go ahead. A Raiders victory seemed assured when Skip Thomas intercepted in the end zone, but a phantom call away from the ball nullified the celebration and Houston went on to win a heartbreaker in the last seconds, 27–26.
Week 14 vs. Kansas City
In the season’s final week, top rusher and scorer Pete Banaszak won the coveted Gorman Award as Most Inspirational Raider. Pete then scored three touchdowns against the Chiefs, bringing his season’s total to a club record 16.
Tight end Bob Moore caught a Ken Stabler pass, which was his eleventh completion in twelve attempts. George Blanda then became the only player in pro football history to score 2,000 points.
Near the game’s end, Jess Philips ran 66 yards to help capture Coach John Madden’s 70th win in seven Raiders seasons.
A defense led by Villapiano, Thoms, Gerald Irons, and Horace Jones scalped the Chiefs, 28–20, for win number 11.
Ahead lay the AFC playoffs against the Cincinnati Bengals. There was no doubt that the proud Oakland Raiders were ready.
AFC Divisional Playoffs vs. Cincinnati
As Paul Brown coached his final game, he saw his Bengals overshadowed by an aggressive band of hunters in silver and black.
When the offense took over, Stabler followed Coach Madden’s game plan and went right for the jugular. Mike Siani’s touchdown was only the beginning, as the classy Raiders dominated scoring time after time.
Behind intense power blocking, Raider supremacy was apparent to all.
The Tiger was virtually caged when Dave Casper scored the last of Oakland’s 31 points. The Bengals closed at 28, but the rugged Raider defense met the challenge and brought down the curtain. Final score: Oakland 31, Cincinnati 28.
AFC Conference Championship @ Pittsburgh
On January 4, 1976, the Raiders met their longtime foes, the Pittsburgh Steelers, for the AFC Conference Championship. With no score until the second quarter, the Steelers struck first with a field goal and a 25-yard rush from Franco Harris in the fourth. Later that quarter, George Blanda kicked a 41-yard field goal and Mike Siani scored the only touchdown for Oakland. But the Steelers came back with a John Stallworth touchdown to end the Raiders’ Super Bowl hopes. Final score: Pittsburgh 16, Oakland 10.
In 1975, the Raider organization maintained its total commitment to excellence, winning 12 games in league and postseason play.
In terms of consistent victory, the Raiders continued their complete domination of professional football since 1963, when owner/managing/general partner Al Davis rescued a faltering franchise and pledged to build sports’ most successful organization.
Since 1967, when Oakland won the first of eight division championships, the record was incredible. Now only a World Championship remained to crown this awesome record of achievement; to add the ultimate triumph to professional football’s winningest team.
1976 SEASON (13–1–0)
The Raiders banner had proudly flown atop the sports world throughout an historic decade. And in 1976, the silver and black completed a decade of destiny, adding a crowning glory to their already unrivaled record of excellence.
Week 1 vs. Pittsburgh
On opening day, the Pittsburgh Steelers found the Raiders long on injuries, short on excuses, primed and ready. Ken Stabler’s touchdowns to Dave Casper and Fred Biletnikoff helped earn 440 yards against the Steel Curtain. Still, Oakland trailed by 14 with only 5:35 remaining
Without standout vets Art Thoms, Horace Jones, Marv Hubbard, and others, able Coach John Madden’s Raiders fought back courageously, defying adversity, time, and the Steelers.
Dave Casper capped a brilliant drive with a 10-yard score. The defense controlled Pittsburgh, forcing a punt that special teams captain Warren Bankston blocked and Charlie Phillips recovered.
The great Oakland fans had learned to expect heroic rallies from their Raiders, for these men of the silver and black were veterans of pressure situations and at home with dramatic last-minute victories.
Stabler bootlegged, tying the score at 28 with just 59 seconds left, and then Dave Rowe deflected a pass that linebacker Willie Hall intercepted, bringing on rookie place kicker Fred Steinfort with the go-ahead score.
The 1976 campaign began with another remarkable chapter in the history of daring Raider comebacks. Final score: Raiders 31, Steelers 28.
Week 2 @ Kansas City
In Kansas City for a Monday-night game, the Raiders special teams led the charge. Punter Ray Guy, Neil Colzie, Terry Kunz, Jack Tatum, Ted Kwalick, Rik Bonness, Mike Siani, and Herb McMath relentlessly shadowed the Chiefs.
On offense, Mark van Eeghen and Pete Banaszak surged for big yardage. With overpowering protection from offensive captain Gene Upshaw and Art Shell, Stabler coolly completed 22 passes, but in the fourth quarter, Stabler was hurt after drilling Mike Siani for the final Raiders touchdown in a 24–21 win.
Week 3 @ Houston
Houston gets hot even indoors, but more fired up was a fierce Raider defense that burned the Oilers.
Newcomers John Matuszak and talented rookie Charles Philyaw, products of football’s premier scouting operation, were overwhelming.
The undefeated Oilers had not yielded a touchdown in 1976, but rookie Mike Rae, playing for Stabler, changed that with scoring passes to Cliff Branch for a 14–13 Raiders triumph.
Week 4 @ New England
A long Raiders trip to New England found the Patriots inhospitable. With scores by Fred Biletnikoff, Mike Rae, and a single field goal from Fred Steinfort, it was too little too late. Final score: New England 48, Oakland 17. But one taste of defeat was all this 1976 Oakland Raiders team would tolerate.
Week 5 @ San Diego
In San Diego, the Chargers challenged the first-place Raiders. Neil Colzie’s punt returns gave Oakland favorable field position. Then Ken Stabler unfolded the game plan developed by head coach John Madden. Cliff Branch scored from 74 and 41 yards out, and Dave Casper scored from 4 yards—as did Pete Banaszak—as Oakland roared back, 27–17.
Week 6 @ Denver
In Denver, punt coverage corralled the Broncos. Van Eeghen powered toward his 1,000-yard season while Fred Steinfort kicked a 34-yard field goal. In the third quarter, Branch and Banaszak each scored a touchdown to seal the Oakland win, 17–10.
Home at last. The Raiders hosted Green Bay. A scoreless battle exploded after linebacker Phil Villapiano made a key interception.
In the NFL’s 57-year history, no team ever had a better-completed pass percentage than these 1976 Raiders.
Though Ken Stabler quickly went airborne—striking for three scores in nine minutes—this lightning attack included an 88-yard pass to Cliff Branch, the most feared deep receiver in football at the time. Then a clutch interception by Skip Thomas preserved an 18–14 victory.
Oakland now stood at 6–1.
Week 8 vs. Denver
When Denver invaded Raiders country, Coach Madden’s defensive aides, Tom Dahms, Don Shinnick, and Bob Zeman, unleashed an awesome pass rush that sacked Broncos quarterbacks ten times.
Behind textbook blocking, Clarence Davis went for one score. On third down, Stabler hit Biletnikoff on a leaping catch in the end zone. Then, behind textbook blocking, Clarence Davis went in for another score. Final score: Oakland 19, Denver 6.
Week 9 @ Chicago
Despite bitter cold, the Raiders’ passing stayed hot. Stabler hit Dave Casper on 17-yard score followed by a 75-yard touchdown to Branch with a bomb in the end zone for the second score.
Though held to under three yards per carry, Chicago’s Walter Payton found the end zone three times and the game rocked back and forth. Tough defense made big plays. A Sistrunk deflection and a Hendricks interception set up a 28–27 Raiders lead and victory.
John Madden epitomized coaching greatness. His foresight in taking the win in the fourth quarter helped preserve victory.
Week 10 vs. Kansas City
Oakland, now at 8–1, was at home against Kansas City where Ken Stabler utilized Dave Casper and Fred Biletnikoff for scores, and Pete Banaszak added a third with a one-yard rush as the silver and black thundered toward the playoffs. Final score: Oakland 21, Kansas City 10.
Week 11 @ Philadelphia
In historic Philadelphia, the Raiders rang the bell on both offense and defense to give Coach Madden his 80th win and capture their ninth division championship in ten years.
With touchdowns from van Eeghen, Biletnikoff, and Clarence Davis, a field goal by Errol Mann, and a safety by Hendricks, the Raiders flew by the Eagles, 26–7.
Week 12 vs. Tampa Bay
At home against Tampa Bay, the Raiders rolled to victory number eleven, their eighth in a row. Scores by Pete Banaszak, Warren Bankston, Cliff Branch, Carl Garrett, and two from Mark van Eeghen were scored in the first three quarters alone.
In the fourth quarter, Mike Rae to Mike Siani closed out the Bucs permanently. Final score: Oakland 49, Tampa Bay 16.
Week 13 vs. Cincinnati
In Week 13, a huge TV audience learned an unforgettable lesson about these mighty Oakland Raiders. By losing, Oakland could deny Pittsburgh the playoffs, but the Raiders know only one way to play—to win. Victory is a way of life for the silver and black.
Rick Jennings’s kickoff return started it off. The rest was pride and poise, preparation and performance. There would be no stopping Oakland. These combat-ready Raiders had grown stronger through challenge and adversity. Stabler and Branch connected from 42 yards out which gave Oakland a 28–13 lead and the critics went silent. Two interceptions by Monte Johnson, and one by Jack Tatum destroyed Cincinnati’s offense.
And then the Raiders calmly shattered the Bengals’ playoff hopes as Stabler and Biletnikoff clinched win number twelve. Final score Oakland 35, Cincinnati 20.
Week 14 vs. San Diego
Prior to the game against the Chargers, Ken Stabler was named Most Inspirational Raider. This final game showcased Mike Rae, Dave Humm, Hubert Ginn, Carl Garrett, Manfred Moore, Rodrigo Barnes, Floyd Rice, Steve Sylvester, Henry Lawrence, Dan Medlin, Morris Bradshaw, and others as Oakland triumphed to a 24–0 victory, finishing 13–1 with the best record in football.
The Raiders had proved again that their commitment to excellence was no idle phrase. Together, these gallant Raiders and their magnificent fans were now bound for glory.
AFC Divisional Playoffs vs. New England
Against the Patriots in the AFC playoffs, Stabler received solid protection from Dave Dalby, John Vella, and George Buehler as Oakland marched for an early field goal.
The Raider defense alertly matched razzle-dazzle with readiness and reaction. Trailing 7–3, Oakland forged ahead on a catch by master craftsman Fred Biletnikoff, but the Pats regained the lead 21–10 late in the third quarter.
The valiant Raiders stormed goalward in classic drives. First van Eeghen scored, but Oakland still trailed by four. With only four minutes left and 68 yards to go, every Raider dug deep for that something extra that marks champions.
Then New England was caught belting Stabler in the head. The Raiders relentlessly closed in as the game drew to a dramatic finish. On second down, Stabler rolled to the left and took the ball in himself. Final score: Oakland 24, New England 21.
AFC Conference Championship vs. Pittsburgh
Against Pittsburgh, Ray Guy was fearlessly protected; the Steelers punter was not and Hubert Ginn’s partial block set up a Raider field goal. But then the defense rose up tall. Hall intercepted a deflected Bradshaw pass and ran all the way to the three-yard line as he was run out of bounds.
Behind devastating blocking, Clarence Davis put the determined Raiders ahead, 10–0. The Oakland defense played with controlled fury, growing stronger and tougher as the game went on. Every play was a challenge to be met and conquered. Raiders execution and emotion were at a level that Pittsburgh found unstoppable.
With Pittsburgh’s league leading defense on the ropes, Coach Madden went for the clincher, ensuring the Raiders’ Super Bowl date with destiny.
The Raiders never faltered, casting a giant silver and black shadow across the Steelers’ hopes, No team could deny these Raiders their place in the sun. Final score: Oakland 24, Pittsburgh 7.
Super Bowl XI vs. Minnesota
From the onset, there was never a question about the Super Bowl. This game, this season, this league, this decade belonged to the silver and black.
The Raiders might was undeniable early, but Minnesota got life blocking a punt deep in Oakland territory. But there was no panic, no break in the Raiders’ concentration or intensity. Just stop them now and get the ball back.
Next, Fran Tarkenton handed off to Brent McClanahan, who fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Oakland.
Then 125 million people saw Clarence Davis follow guard George Buehler on route to a 137-yard rushing day.
The Raiders drew first blood after Dave Casper’s catch was ruled out on an Errol Mann field goal.
Next, Oakland boldly drove 64 yards to gain a 10–0 lead. Carl Garrett contributed key yardage and Fred Biletnikoff took the Raiders to the one-yard line. Then a quick throw from Stabler to Casper in the end zone for the score.
The worldwide audience now realized that time alone stood between these Raiders and complete domination of Super Bowl XI.
Meticulous design coupled with devastating blocking by backs and linemen alike powered the Raiders down the glory road.
In the third quarter, Oakland moved farther ahead, 19–0, with an Errol Mann 40-yard field goal. Magnificent special teams, offense and defense, and an electrifying intimidating force in silver and black now stood as history’s best.
After a Minnesota touchdown cut the lead to 19–7 and Oakland punted, Willie Hall intercepted on the Oakland 30, and the turnover turned into a Stabler to Biletnikoff touchdown.
Pete Banaszak scored again as the Raider assault rolled on relentlessly. Then defensive captain Willie Brown finished the scoring avalanche with an interception and a 32–14 Super Bowl win.
Together with their loyal fans, the Oakland Raiders—number one for so many years—now stood alone as the world champions of professional football.
1977 SEASON (11–3–0)
In 1977, the dynamic Raiders organization and their great fans sh
ared a season that began with them as World Champions of professional football—a crowning glory for an already unrivaled record of excellence.
Week 1 vs. San Diego
A thunderous ovation greeted each of the world-champion Raiders as they came out for their season opener. Once the game started, the special teams—led by Lester Hayes and Randy McClanahan—swarmed the Chargers.
Ray Guy’s booming punts set up coverage by Charles Phillips and Morris Bradshaw. Pat Toomay and Otis Sistrunk also limited San Diego’s offense. Ken Stabler hit Cliff Branch and Dave Casper, while Pete Banaszak rushed in from two yards out and the confident Raiders opened with a 24–0 shutout.
Week 2 @ Pittsburgh
The spotlight shifted to Pittsburgh for the rematch of the 1976 AFC Championship. Prior to this dramatic Raiders–Steelers confrontation, two healthy squads calmly exchanged greetings, but hostile Steelers fans wanted no gestures of friendship, for they were on a wartime alert—and war they got.
Rowe, Toomay, Rice, Hall, Kwalick, and Atkinson helped shatter Pittsburgh in a performance labeled “Arson” by the press.
Oakland’s famed precision passing was firing on all cylinders. Stabler’s protectors included Mark van Eeghen and Clarence Davis, while kicker Errol Mann with David Humm holding added ten points and the mighty Raiders never trailed.
On defense, linebacker Monte Johnson delivered headaches for the Steelers. Defensive captain Willie Brown became the first player to ever intercept passes in fifteen consecutive pro seasons. Final score: Oakland 16, Pittsburgh 7.
But tragedy marred triumph. Outstanding starters Phil Villapiano and John Vella were lost for most of the season to injuries.
Week 3 @ Kansas City
In Kansas City, the Raiders were short six key players, but alert safety George Atkinson and a combat-ready defense gave Oakland room to operate.
A huge Monday-night national audience saw a Raiders offensive mastery as the silver and black scored 24 points in thirteen minutes. Touchdowns by Biletnikoff, Banaszak, and two by Davis along with three field goals by Errol Mann routed the Chiefs. Behind crushing blocking, van Eeghen and Davis each topped 100 yards as the defending world champions beat Kansas City, 37–28.
