Cheating Is Encouraged

In 1969, a young John Madden became head coach of the Oakland Raiders and faced the awesome challenge of maintaining the Raiders’ winning ways. He met the challenge in ’69 with pro football’s best record: 12–1–1 and the AFL Western Division Championship.

The Oakland Raiders emerged from the ’60s with the finest three consecutive years in the history of professional football. No team was more respected, none more feared than the team who proudly wore the silver and black.

But 1970 began a new era, a new challenge. The question now was: Could the Raiders continue to rank with the great organizations of professional sports? Were the Raiders ready to meet the challenges of the ’70s?

The Raiders’ challenge began in Cincinnati at the Bengals new Riverfront Stadium. Not even the wizardry of Fred Biletnikoff’s two touchdowns or the 63-yard punt return by Alvin Wyatt could tame the Bengals as Oakland lost their first opening game since 1964 by a score of 31–21. But in the heat of defeat, a star was born—a rugged, determined rookie from Morgan State—a tight end named Raymond Chester.

In San Diego, the Raiders appeared ready to rip off a victory. George Atkinson led the defense with two interceptions and a powerful offense that included two touchdowns by Pete Banaszak, one by Fred Biletnikoff and two field goals from George Blanda that totaled 27 points, but the Chargers rang up 27 points of their own to end the game in a tie . . . two games without a victory.

In Miami it was fire and rain. The Raiders started with fire as Charlie Smith scorched the soggy synthetic turf for a 60-yard touchdown that was washed out by a penalty. Two field goals by George Blanda and a solo touchdown by Warren Wells were not enough. The Raiders’ hopes were swamped as the Dolphins stepped to a 20–13 win. Three games and still no taste of victory.

The Raiders finally came home to meet the undefeated division-leading Broncos, and John Madden rallied his forces for a mission of destruction. The offensive line of Shell, Upshaw, Otto, Jim Harvey, and Bob Svihus gave the runners room to roll and they moved like a relentless silver and black tide that ultimately crashed on a goal-line beach. Then it was Daryle Lamonica unleashing the Raiders’ famed precision passing. Lamonica’s arm whipped and the ball whistled. There was no derailing the Raiders this day as they roared by Denver, 35–23. Victory had returned and loyal Raiders fans sighed with relief. But it was a bittersweet victory, as All-Pro cornerback Willie Brown was out with a shoulder injury on an interception.

Washington arrived for a Monday night national TV game, and the Jurgensen air strike was shot down by Kent McCloughan and Nemiah Wilson. Tom Keating and Duane Benson dismembered the ground strike. Then came Hewritt Dixon, whose single purpose was to put a flash of silver and black into the end zone. Behind the blocking of Jim Otto and Harry Shiu, Dixon was more than the Redskins could handle as he ran for 164 yards. He demolished the Skins defense and set it up for the bomb that convinced the TV audience that the silver and black were back in the fight to be number one—back with a vengeance. Final score: Oakland 34, Washington 20.

Pittsburgh and rookie quarterback Terry Bradshaw arrived in Oakland. Gus Otto shut down the corner and Kent McCloughan shut down the end zone. Lamonica streaked one to Raymond Chester and then forty-three-year-old George Blanda came off the bench and hurled thunderbolts to Chester. One was called back, one was good, and one was superb. A veteran and a rookie had wreaked havoc, begun a phenomenon, and Oakland was battling toward first place in the West. Final score: Oakland 31, Pittsburgh 14.

The World Champion Chiefs were pitted against the Raiders and the Oakland offense earned the lead with two touchdown passes from Lamonica to Chester. The Raiders defense led by Dan Conners and Carleton Oates struck with a fury, but the talented Chiefs came back to lead 17–14 late in the last quarter. Then all that remained was part fantasy, part outrage, and totally incredible. Raiders radio announcer Bill King described it this way.

Here’s the bootleg now by Dawson running to the right himself. He’s got a first down. He’s down to the 35 and he’s brought down at the 28-yard line. Here’s a flag and here’s Ben Davidson being jumped on by one of the Chiefs. Two more Chiefs come in. There’s a big pileup. Davidson and Taylor are going at it. There are at least eight Chiefs, and here come all the Raiders. Holy Toledo, it’s a free for all! It’s all along this near sideline here. Stram is out and getting Lenny Dawson out of there. He doesn’t want Dawson to get killed!

After the brawl was over, the defense still had to stop the Chiefs. With eight seconds left in the game, George Blanda was handed the incredibly difficult job of kicking a 48-yard field goal. Lamonica spotted the ball at the 48. The ball was snapped and the kick was good. George Blanda landed a 48-yard field goal to tie Kansas City, 17–17.

The Raiders were back home against the Cleveland Browns for the first time ever, and led in the game early with a George Blanda field goal and a Charlie Smith touchdown. But the Browns, a perennial NFL power, came roaring back. With time running out, Cleveland led 20–13 until a near disaster struck—Lamonica was injured. It was now up to George Blanda. On the next play, Blanda threw to Wells for the score. With seven seconds to go, the game was tied at 20. Once again it would be George Blanda who would come in for the game-winning 52-yard field goal. Stabler held for Blanda and it went through the uprights. Final score: Raiders 23, Cleveland 20.

In Denver, Oakland followed the script perfectly by taking a quick lead with a 36-yard pass from Lamonica to Warren Wells. But the Broncos rallied to lead 19–17 so late in the game that Denver fans were already celebrating victory. But no one should celebrate victory over the Raiders until they hear the fat lady sing. The phenomenon is pride and poise. It’s Blanda zeroed on Wells. The phenomenon is class and courage. And it’s Blanda hitting Biletnikoff for a score. The phenomenon is discipline and desire, and it’s Jimmy Warren shutting off Denver’s last hope with his second interception of the day. The phenomenon is an Oakland Raiders victory under any pressure. Final score: Oakland 24, Denver 19.

The Raiders came home without a defeat in their last six games. But the Chargers went ahead in the third quarter. Oakland answered with catches by Biletnikoff that set up two Charlie Smith touchdowns and the game was tied at 17 in the fourth quarter after the teams traded field goals. Then it was Tony Kline spinning the Charger attack to the ground. It was Dave Grayson pulling butterflies out of the air. It was Bill Laskey giving the Raiders one final chance for Daryle to drive them to victory. It was unbelievable! It was Oakland ‘hanging from the cliff” again. Then Daryle dropped back to pass from the 45, but decided to run the ball himself. He ran it all the way to the 34 and a first down. Oakland ran the clock down to seven seconds and then brought out George Blanda. From the 16-yard line and with four seconds left in the game, Blanda kicked it straight through the uprights giving Oakland the lead and the win. Final score: Oakland 20, San Diego 17.

The Raiders played Detroit on Thanksgiving Day, four days after the Chargers game. Charley Sanders scored twice for Detroit as Oakland lost a 14-point lead and the game as the playoff-bound Lions bellowed out in victory for a 28–14 win.

There was more trouble to come for Oakland in New York against the Jets. Despite Blanda to Wells, the Jets led 13–7. Time was fleeting when a now-healthy Willie Brown intercepted the ball, and Oakland had only eight seconds and one chance to win; but if anyone thought that Oakland could do it, the Jets should have. For it was in the historic Heidi game of 1968 that these Jets were certain winners until the Raiders exploded. In less than twenty seconds, Oakland scored twice and sealed the Jets’ fate . . . a fate that, in the ‘60s, had doomed many opponents. For the Raiders were a team with last-second victories stashed somewhere beneath their battle-scarred silver and black helmets. It wasn’t miracles and it wasn’t luck. It was instead a team poised, a team responding to the challenge—ready to make and take any break. Any team is allowed one miracle—maybe two—but the Raiders defied all odds to become the winningest team in the American Football League since 1963. Now this tradition, born in the ’60s, would be most severely tested as the Raiders confronted another impossible must-win situation. With the ball on the 33 and eight seconds to go, Lamonica threw deep to Wells in the end zone for a touchdown. With the score tied 13–13, it was once again Blanda who came off the bench to kick the extra point and win the game for the Raiders. Final score: Oakland 14, New York 13.

This was the big one, the game to decide who would reign supreme in pro football’s toughest division: Kansas City at Oakland. No last-second heroics today. The Raiders made no mistakes. And when Marv Hubbard came in, he screamed at the Chiefs, “I’m coming at you!” And he went at them. And when Lamonica and Madden talked they spoke of going right over them. And Lamonica went to Biletnikoff—right over them. No miracles today, just mind and muscle—silver and black—and number one in the West for a record-breaking four straight Western Division Championships. Final score: Oakland 20, Kansas City 6.

The regular season closed in Week 14 with an anti-climatic loss to the 49ers at the Coliseum, 38–7. But the challenge continued. For now the Raiders, with the amazing George Blanda as their most inspirational player, would host Miami in the playoffs.

The AFC Playoff looked like it would be played in Dolphin weather. Before kickoff, the sun and the eighteenth straight sellout crowd filled the Coliseum. But the field hadn’t dried and the going was tough for both teams. The Dolphins scored first and seven points might have been enough to win in this mud. But a determined defense dug in and while the destroyers put Griese to sleep, Lamonica picked the Raiders up and passed them goalward. The score was now 7 to 7, but a tie meant nothing and the defense knew it. Griese was kept down in the mud but the Raiders still needed more points. The 82-yarder to Rod Sherman, a clutch performer all season, meant victory to Oakland with the final score, Raiders 21, Dolphins 14. So it would be silver and black in Baltimore in the AFC Championship.

But in the AFL championship game in Baltimore, Lamonica would miss by inches, and then would miss from the game after being leveled by a bulldozer named Bubba Smith. Blanda replaced him, and the Raiders fought back. Oakland scored two touchdowns—one by Biletnikoff and the other by Wells. But in the end it was John Unitas, NFL Player of the Decade, who hit for the big play. And just like that, it was over. Final score: Baltimore 27, Oakland 17. The Colts went on to Miami, while the Raiders returned to Oakland.

So what kind of a season was it? After eleven years of struggles and dedication, a day of defeat curtailed the destiny of the Oakland Raiders, but nothing could blot out another year of glory. What kind of a season was it? A season that saw the silver and black maintain their lofty position as one of the finest organizations in the history of professional sports. It was a season that merits a salute to the coaches, back up men, and special team warriors like George Buehler and Pete Banaszak, Eischeid and Stabler, Thoms, Todd, Koy, Highsmith, Budness, Irons, Buie, Weathers, and MacKinnon.

In 1970, the Oakland Raiders thrilled our country as no other team in professional football history has ever done. They won victory upon dramatic victory and always with poise. Poise above all. What kind of a season was it? Here’s what Bill King had to say:

“If a television scriptwriter tried to write the kind of finishes that the Oakland Raiders have produced this year, they would send him to the Looney bin before he ever got passed the first proof reader!”

In 1963, Al Davis made the total Commitment to Excellence for the Raiders’ organization. But the only real test of any great organization is how long its success can endure. The Oakland Raiders had met this test. People said it couldn’t be done. They said that it couldn’t continue. But this was the challenge, and the Oakland Raiders stood ready to meet the challenge of the ’70s.

In 1971, for the first time in five years, the Oakland Raiders did not play in the Conference Championship game.

Disaster stalked the Raiders from the get-go. Running back Hewritt Dixon was gone for the year with an injury as was receiver Warren Wells. Running back Charlie Smith was out for six games. What would have happened if the Dallas Cowboys had lost Duane Thomas, Calvin Hill, and Bob Hayes? Or if Miami had lost Csonka, Kiick, and Warfield? They would have dropped from contention as the Raiders did. Yet in 1971, despite losing players responsible for 3,000 yards and 18 touchdowns, the silver and black remained feared championship contenders because of a dedicated organization and sterling field leadership from gifted head coach John Madden; talented veteran assistants Oliver Spencer, Tom Dahms, Ray Malavasi, and Bob Zeman; skillful trainer George Anderson; and capable equipment director Dick Romanski.

There is no substitute for victory now, so the true greatness of the Raiders must remain in their future and their glorious past. But if battling insurmountable odds is still a virtue, then in 1971 the silver and black may well have had their finest hour.

The season opener was held in New England’s new Schaefer Stadium against the Patriots’ new quarterback, Jim Plunkett. The Raiders unveiled three rookie starters of their own. Safety Jack Tatum was one and recovered two fumbles. Despite several personnel losses, Raiders running behind Gene Upshaw showed promise with another newcomer, Clarence Davis, gliding for 39 yards.

Pete Banaszak had the lone Oakland score as he slashed into the end zone. But inches spelled the Raiders’ doom and, in the end, Plunkett passed his Patriots to a 20–6 upset victory.

In San Diego, Oakland faced the second of four demanding consecutive road games. The Raiders’ defense dominated as All-Pro Willie Brown challenged John Hadl’s air attack. Rookie ends Horace Jones and Harold Rice blasted in on Hadl and forced the Chargers into desperate gambles made even more desperate when the determined silver and black dug in and refused to yield. Then the Raiders’ famed precision passing flashed into action. Lamonica to Biletnikoff accounted for two scores. Clarence Davis, behind blocking by Shell, Upshaw, Buehler, Otto, and Bob Brown, raced into another.

Middle linebacker Dan Conners picked off two interceptions. Lamonica and Stabler finished the Chargers with a lopsided 34–0 triumph, which was Oakland’s first shutout ever over San Diego.

Oakland was in Cleveland next in a Monday night national TV game. Lamonica’s throwing hand was giving him trouble. Early in the contest the offensive missed by inches, but the undefeated Browns weren’t missing and led 14–0. Then the Raiders’ rookie wreckers went to work. Linebacker Villapiano shut down the corner and Horace Jones shut down passes while Jack Tatum made a great interception and return. Daryle arched a bomb to tight end Raymond Chester and utilized the diverse design of the Raiders attack, then threw a screen to Marv Hubbard who powered for 31 yards.

The relentless Raiders rolled for 24 fourth-quarter points. Clarence Davis put Oakland ahead 24–20, and Banaszak finished Cleveland off as the nation learned that though the Raiders had lost key players (including vet Tom Keating with a broken leg in this game), they had lost none of their class or courage. Final score: Raiders 34, Cleveland 20.

In Denver, a punishing Oakland defense set the tone. Phil Villapiano was everywhere at once, making the inches count. And suddenly inches meant points as Jimmy Warren intercepted and streaked 55 yards for a touchdown.

Stabler to Chester gave an indication as to why the Raiders would finish second in scoring in the entire NFL in 1971. Stabler then provided the insurance himself, and the Raiders had won their third in a row. At last they were ready to come home. Final score: Oakland 27, Denver 16.

Finally, five weeks into the season, the silver and black returned to the Oakland Coliseum—and the stadium responded to their monumental rise to a football power. They had come home to meet the surging Philadelphia Eagles, who quickly took a 10–0 halftime lead. But even though shorthanded, the Raiders would not shortchange the total sellout colloquium crowd.

A wide-open Fred Biletnikoff fooled everyone as he scored six, and Raiders runners led by powerful Marv Hubbard were end zone bound regardless of obstacles. Lamonica hit Eldridge Dickey for a 27-yard score, followed by the Eagles fumbling the kickoff which Atkinson returned for a touchdown. It was Oakland’s second touchdown in fifteen seconds. It destroyed the Eagles and gave the silver and black their fourth win in a row. Final score: Oakland 34, Philadelphia 10.

For the Bengals, the inches went against them as Raiders’ Chester just managed to score. Marv Hubbard continued to shred opponents’ defenses and Hubbard showed his versatility by taking a perfect George Blanda pass in for six points. However, Paul Brown’s Bengals were always tough for Oakland, and Cincinnati led 27–24 with time running out.

But Art Thoms smothered the Bengals offense. Then Clarence Davis put the Raiders in close. Marv Hubbard rushed in and gave Oakland another great come-from-behind victory. Final score: Oakland 31, Cincinnati 27.

Archrival Kansas City came next and, as always in the tough AFC Western Division, it was an all-out war. Ben Davidson dropped in on Lenny Dawson often, as did Tony Cline and Dan Conners to sabotage the Chiefs’ attack. But football remains a game of inches, as rookie linebacker Terry Mendenhall found out when, with the Raiders trailing, his fumble recovery was allowed but his touchdown run wasn’t.

With the Chiefs ahead 20–10, the Raiders’ defense shut down the Chiefs passing game. Then the Raiders’ air attack burst to life. Twenty-two-year pro veteran George Blanda connected with Raymond Chester and then hit Fred Biletnikoff to make it 20–17.

George Blanda’s last-minute field goal not only earned a 20–20 comeback tie to keep the Raiders’ six-game unbeaten streak alive, but also made Blanda pro football’s all-time leading scorer.

Meanwhile, in New Orleans, the Oakland secondary played the game of inches just right. While the defense made the inches count, the offense grabbed up enough yards to take a 14–0 lead. But the Saints benefited from a puzzling roughing call and went on to score. The Raiders countered and the lead looked safe, but misfortune struck a season-ending injury to linebacker Gus Otto, followed by a game-ending fumble recovery, which was disallowed. And finally there was the untimely penalty that gave the Saints a second chance and a 21–21 tie.

The Oilers came to Oakland and paid dearly for the Raiders’ frustration at two consecutive ties. Nemiah Wilson’s interception paved the way as Lamonica, behind protection from veteran Ron Mix, lifted a 63-yard strike to Drew Buie. Two more interceptions proved the Raiders would settle for no tie this day. Buie’s second score ballooned the Oakland lead to 21–0. Silver and black might and muscle ruled this day. Once again Jimmy Warren slashed in, stole the ball, and weaved to pay dirt. It was the Raiders’ eighth game without a defeat. Final score: Oakland 41, Houston 21.

When the Chargers arrived in Oakland, they set out to avenge the earlier shutout and leaped to a substantial 24–10 lead. But unlike many teams, the Raiders are traditionally most dangerous when behind. And soon they stuck back for yardage that blew away the Chargers’ lead. Rod Sherman’s great catch made it 34–24 Oakland, but the Chargers rallied, making the score 34–31.

With time fleeting, they were driving again when an intense rush set up Dan Conners’s clutch interception. Then Coach John Madden instructed punter Jerry DePoyster to take a safety when running out the clock, preserving a nine-game undefeated string that experts had labeled impossible for injury-wracked Oakland. Final score: Oakland 34, San Diego 33.

The defending world champion Baltimore Colts came next, and the battle-worn Raiders had problems—problems that turned opportunities into mistakes by inches. Even Blanda’s two touchdown passes to Biletnikoff could not stop the Colts, who rolled on and put an end to the hard-earned Oakland unbeaten streak. Final score: Baltimore 37, Oakland 14.

In Atlanta the following week the weather was rainy, the field muddy, and the ball slippery. Slippery enough to contribute to a pair of crucial fumbles which were the key to a Falcon win and Oakland’s second straight loss. The two field goals by Blanda and the Lamonica-to-Biletnikoff touchdown were too little too late. Final score: Atlanta 14, Oakland 13.

And so it came down to the big one. The Raiders and the Chiefs battling for the title in pro football’s toughest division. It had been that way for years, and was always a hitting, bruising, punishing conflict. Kansas City took an early lead on a Dawson-to-Otis Taylor touchdown and a Stenerud field goal. The Raiders struck back when Nemiah Wilson intercepted. Then Marv Hubbard blasted in for the score and almost drove the ball underground. It’s that kind of rivalry.

As time was running out in the first half, the Chiefs made a big first down. And with just one second left their lead jumped to 13–7. Inches, seconds, and penalties proved decisive. An obvious interference led to Hubbard’s second TD, and the silver and black battled back to a 14–13 fourth-quarter lead. Safety George Atkinson’s interception halted a KC rally. Then George Blanda’s field goal was blocked. As the Chiefs struggled to survive, Nemiah Wilson dove for the game-clinching interception, but it was not to be. The officials called it a trap. Given another chance, Dawson hit Taylor in heavy traffic. A no-harm interference was called on an overthrown desperation pass, and then Stenerud kicked and denied Oakland their fifth consecutive division championship. The season had come down to one game, one play, one inch, one penalty, one second, and heartbreak for the Raiders. Final score: Kansas City 16, Oakland 14.

In a game that was played for pride alone, the Raiders struck first with a 67-yard pass from Lamonica to Raymond Chester. Charlie Smith rushed for a one-yard score while Pete Banaszak rushed for a two-yard score. The Raiders finished out the season by beating the Broncos, 21 to 13.

But in 1971, the valued Raiders had challenged overwhelming odds and blasted them head on.

As the season closed, twelve-year All-Pro center Jim Otto was voted the Gorman Award by his teammates as Oakland’s most inspirational player; and against Denver, every Raider deserved awards. They had lost the title but never their pride. Against Denver, Pete Banaszak got his eighth rushing score—a Raider season record. Lamonica playing with a hand that would require off-season surgery found Raymond Chester for another score. A now-healthy Charlie Smith made big plays. His return added a missing dimension to Oakland’s potent offense. The defense with Tatum, Duane Benson, and the rest stood tall on a goal-line stand that gave meaning to the motto “Pride and Poise.” The Denver victory gave Oakland an 8–4–2 record—better than teams winning division championships and playing for conference titles.

In Oakland, 1971 was a year when newcomers Moore, Slough, Seiler, Maxwell, and Gipson had fought and won beside vets Jim Harvey, Gerald Irons, and other unsung heroes. One league championship and four consecutive division championships are Raiders history.

The total commitment to excellence made by Al Davis in 1963 continues, and the greatness of the Raiders is in their future. But when this grueling 1971 season is examined against all the great glory years, the silver and black may well have had their finest hour.

In 1969, under young head coach John Madden, the Raiders molded explosive, precision offense with quick strike defense. Their 12–1–1 record led all of pro football and what was emerging in Oakland was an unrivaled level of excellence.

In 1970, it was a fourth consecutive championship and a season of last-second victories that rocked the sports world and showcased Oakland Raiders pride and poise. Winning against all odds had become a Raiders tradition and it seemed that this wave of glory might roll on forever.

But in 1971, the wave broke and, despite an amiable 8–4–2 record, the Raiders lost the championship to Kansas City by inches and seconds. Consecutive championships had finally ended, but never the total commitment that made them possible. From narrow defeat rose a solemn promise: that in 1972 the Oakland Raiders would once again return to glory.

The cross-country opener in Pittsburgh was played without the injured Ben Davidson. Kenny Stabler started at quarterback, but the Raiders ran into bad breaks and the rugged Steelers forged a big lead.

Ageless George Blanda celebrated his forty-fifth birthday by arching a bomb to tight end Raymond Chester. But the scoring gap was not narrowed until Daryle Lamonica connected with rookie wide receiver Mike Siani on a 24-yard pass, making the score 27–14. Lamonica hit Siani again in the fourth quarter on a 70-yard pass, but it was too little too late.

Despite nearly 400 yards total offense and Lamonica’s 8 for 10, Oakland’s furious finish fell short, 34–28.

In Green Bay, the Raiders challenged their second eventual division champion in a row. Behind crushing blocking by George Buehler, Bob Brown, Jim Otto, Art Shell, and Gene Upshaw, Marv Hubbard bulldozed for 125 yards in search of victory and a 1,000-yard rushing goal. The Packers led early, but Coach John Madden’s young defense was maturing under fire and allowed Green Bay to succeed on only one third down situation.

Jack Tatum’s recovery and record 104-yard return exemplified the alert Raiders defense, which held the Packers scoreless for the last forty-three minutes of an inspired 20–14 victory, in which Oakland completely dominated play.

Finally the Raiders returned home and, in their first game in the NFL’s toughest division, met the stubborn San Diego Chargers.

Behind beautiful protection from All-Pro pair Gene Upshaw and Art Shell, Lamonica hit running back Don Highsmith to drive Oakland goalward. But the Raiders trailed the fired-up Chargers 17–14 in the fourth quarter until an off-the-dirt 40-yard field goal tied the score and gave Oakland a 1–1–1 record.

Then in the Houston Astrodome for a Monday night national TV game, the Raiders exploded. Sure-handed Fred Biletnikoff caught six passes as the mighty silver and black offense rolled up 34 points.

While Stabler hit Bob Moore for one score, the defense led by Art Thoms shut out the Oilers. Gus Otto and Phil Villapiano were instrumental in holding Houston to just 89 yards of total offense. Nemiah Wilson had one of five Raiders interceptions while Houston completed only four passes.

A 34–0 triumph was a total team effort that gave notice to the nation that the silver and black were once again bound for glory.

The Buffalo Bills visited Oakland and the man to get was O. J. Simpson, who gave the Bills a 16–7 fourth-quarter lead by rushing for 144 yards and paying for every yard he got.

But in that fourth quarter, the Raiders came on relentlessly. Clarence Davis slashed in for one score then rode behind, pulling guard Gene Upshaw to add to the Raiders’ 21-point last-period explosion, as the silver and black won going away, 28–16.

With a 3–1–1 record, an offense, defense, and special teams steaming along, it looked like the Raiders’ return to glory was inevitable, but the AFC West is pro football’s toughest division and danger faced the Oakland glory caravan.

The tough, talented Denver Broncos had just come to town. Broncos quarterback Charlie Johnson had one of his best days ever, ringing up a 24–3 Denver lead, but the comeback-conscious Raiders fought back.

Charlie Smith set up one score and top draftee Mike Siani got another on great effort, but time ran out on the Raiders, who lost 30–23.

The Los Angeles Rams walked into a cyclone as the Oakland Raiders faced a must-win situation in their championship drive.

Six and a half minutes into the game, the Raiders grabbed a 21–0 lead over the Rams. And the cyclone roared on as newcomer Otis Sistrunk, Gerald Irons, and Horace Jones closed down the Ram offense. The cyclone then continued as Marv Hubbard added to the eventual club record of 2,376 yards rushing and an NFL high of 297 first downs.

Lamonica hit Pete Banaszak to put the Raiders in a position for another score. Later, Lamonica hit Raymond Chester in the end zone. Interceptions by Willie Brown (who had three), Nemiah Wilson, Jack Tatum, and Phil Villapiano (who ran for a touchdown) gave the Raiders a 45–17 win. But there were greater challenges still to be met.

In Kansas City’s fantastic new Arrowhead Stadium, the Raiders found themselves unloved before a record crowd of over 82,000.

Oakland was missing the big play by inches and the Chiefs raced to a 20–0 lead. The Raiders battled back with touchdowns by Marv Hubbard and Raymond Chester, but lost 27–14 and dropped to second in the division with a 4–3–1 record. Now any return to glory depended on two must-win games before facing the Chiefs again.

In Cincinnati, the Raiders were superb, blocking passes and field goals and destroying the Bengals’ offense. Blanda kicked two field goals and Clarence Davis scored on a one-yard run. Behind disciplined, almost flawless blocking, Charlie Smith rushed for an eight-yard TD and raced for 146 total yards. Oakland had their first must-win, 20–14.

In Denver, pressure mounted but the Raiders were ready. Oakland’s defensive mind and muscle were magnificent as first-year find Otis Sistrunk was everywhere. The secondary with Jimmy Warren closed down the Denver scoring lanes and Coach John Madden’s meticulously designed offense was devastating, rolling up 25 first downs and punting not even once.

Fred Biletnikoff continued his march to another AFC receiving title with two touchdowns. Marv Hubbard and Charlie Smith added scores of their own, and George Blanda kicked three field goals as the proud, poised Raiders met the test with must-win number two, 37–20.

There was always special tension in the air before a Raiders–Chiefs encounter because for the past six years, these meetings had decided the championship. This time, Oakland held a 1.5 game lead over Kansas City. A Raiders win now and the return to glory was but one step away.

From the very outset, it was silver and black dominance. The powerful Raiders grabbed an early lead, blasting for sixteen rushing first downs—the most in their proud history.

Just three weeks earlier they had been humiliated in Kansas City. But the Raiders never lost sight of their championship goal. They grew tougher, more determined. The Chiefs learned this first hand.

Charlie Smith scored from 2 yards out to open the scoring, and Blanda added a 27-yard field goal for a 10–0 lead. It was 10–3 when Lamonica hit Biletnikoff, making it 16–3. The Raider lead ballooned at 26–3 and stayed there, protected by George Atkinson and the entire silver and black defense.

With Oakland victorious, 26–3, it was all over, and more than 54,000 loyal Raiders fans knew their team needed but one more win to gain the division championship—their fifth in six years.

A large group of Raider boosters followed their team to San Diego, anxious to see the division title clinched.

The defense was shocked, earning breaks for the offense. The famed Raider precision passing built leads at 7–0 and 14–10. But the Chargers rallied late in the last quarter and led 19–14, threatening to score again, but quarterback John Hadl threw deep into the end zone. The ball was deflected and landed in the hands of Dan Conners.

The Charger threat continued, but it was as if the Raiders fans willed a miss kick and all that followed. Trailing by five points and with time draining away, the silver and black marshaled the attack team. Lamonica began a relentless move on the Chargers goal. He rifled one to Mike Siani, who was injured on the play and was replaced by Cliff Branch. Lamonica hit Branch on the 20 and took the ball to the nine. With first and goal to go, Lamonica gave the ball to Smith, who took the ball in for the touchdown. Final score: Raiders 21, San Diego 19.

The pledge had been kept. The Oakland Raiders had returned to glory, for they were the 1972 champions of the rugged AFC Western Division.

The Raiders and Jets played before the largest TV audience in Monday night pro football history. Joe Namath was spectacular and threw an early TD pass to give New York the lead. But the now battle-wise Raiders played sound team defense and, thirty-nine passes later, the Jets had been prevented from scoring even one more touchdown.

As the record Oakland Coliseum crowd of 54,843 cheered, the Raiders made it five in a row, beating the Jets 24–16.

Marv Hubbard, who finished with a record 1,100 yards rushing, was presented with the annual Gorman Award before the start of the game.

Charlie Smith scored twice and Pete Banaszak once. Then Clarence Davis and the offensive line went on to beat the Bears 28 to 21 before a thirty-eighth consecutive sellout crowd, and Oakland entered the playoffs with a 10–3–1 record.

The playoff game in Pittsburgh was one of pro football’s defensive struggles. Led by Otis Sistrunk and Tony Kline, Oakland held the Steelers to just two field goals, but with 1:57 left in the game, the Raiders trailed 6–0. Then Kenny Stabler began a brilliant drive that marched the courageous Raiders downfield in what appeared to be another heroic finish.

Next Stabler went back to pass, then decided to run the ball into the end zone, making the score 7–6. Unfortunately, Raider heroics were short lived, for the Steelers in an impossible fourth down situation came up with a play that has been called miraculous, freakish, illegal, and certainly controversial.

Pittsburgh quarterback Terry Bradshaw dropped back to pass, but the Raiders flushed him out of the pocket to the right. He saw running back John (Frenchy) Fuqua over the middle at the Raiders’ 35, and with defenders closing, Bradshaw fired a pass toward Fuqua.

Fuqua, Raiders safety Jack Tatum, and the ball converged simultaneously, and out popped the ball. The Raiders began to celebrate, not realizing that rookie running back Franco Harris, trailing the play at the Raiders’ 42, had picked the ball out of the air at his shoe tops and taken off down the left sideline. Some Raiders gave chase, but they could not stop Harris from running to the end zone.

Touchdown? Nobody knew, including the officials. The Raiders argued that Fuqua had batted the ball to Harris (the rules of the time did not permit consecutive touches by offensive players). If Tatum had batted the ball, the play would have been a touchdown.

Referee Fred Swearingen, after consulting with NFL supervisor of officials Art McNally, came back on the field and ruled the play a touchdown. Pittsburgh kicked the extra point to take a 13–7 lead with five seconds left, a score that was finalized moments later.

As suddenly as the Raiders had forged ahead, their 1972 season was ended. But a moment of defeat cannot erase years of glory. The years 1963 through 1972 were when the Oakland Raiders proved that the true test of any great organization is its ability to maintain a level of excellence.

The Oakland Raiders, the famed and feared silver and black, now proudly stood as pro football’s winningest team over the past ten challenging seasons. Every Oakland Raider sacrificed to fulfill the destiny of this organization whose greatness was in its future, and all now proudly shared in their gallant return to glory.

Defending champions of pro football’s toughest division, the Oakland Raiders faced a tough 1973 schedule, including the undefeated World Champions plus every AFC playoff team. Of the first seven games, only one would be at home.

Sunday night, November 18, found the silver and black, pro football’s winningest team the past ten years, third in the AFC West.

Experts buried Oakland’s chances for their sixth division championship in seven years, but the Raiders knew what remained to be done on the battered Coliseum turf. Forged in the fires of adversity, fueled by an unyielding total commitment to excellence, the character of the Raiders rose to heights of greatness in a thundering drive to the playoffs.

Thus was written another heroic chapter in the proud history of an organization that ranks atop the sports world. Thus was written conquest and character—the story of the 1973 Oakland Raiders.

The challenge began in Minnesota against the eventual NFC champions. Daryle Lamonica started at quarterback and hit Mike Siani with six passes as Oakland gained 353 yards against the vaunted purple gang.

Top draft choice Ray Guy marked his pro debut with a 50-yard punting average, while George Atkinson’s electrifying punt return, which gave the Raiders a 13–10 lead at the half. But in the end, veteran Fran Tarkenton and Rookie of the Year Chuck Foreman spearheaded the Vikings’ 24–16 win over the silver and black.

The next Sunday found Coach John Madden and the Raiders at California Memorial Stadium against the World Champion Miami Dolphins.

The order of battle was set early as Dan Conners blocked out Larry Csonka power. Then Bubba Smith and the young Raiders defensive unit turned out the light of flashy runner Mercury Morris.

Oakland played errorless football and over 74,000 appreciate fans, the largest crowd to ever see a pro game in Northern California, knew Miami’s eighteen-game win streak was in danger.

Charlie Smith and Marv Hubbard rampaged goalward. Four times this duo drove within field goal range. Four times Coach John Madden called upon veteran George Blanda. George was a perfect 4–4 and, coupled with superb defense and determined special teams, he helped the mighty Raiders to a 12–7 streak-breaking conquest of the World Champions.

In unfriendly Kansas City, Oakland faced the first of five straight grueling road games. Clarence Davis darted on a 76-yard kickoff return, but the Raiders registered only three points. The powerful Chiefs managed only three field goals themselves as punter Ray Guy boomed the football into the land of no return.

The Oakland defense held the hard ground savagely. But with only two minutes left to play, a deflected pass intercepted by Willie Lanier and returned for a touchdown sealed the Raiders’ fate. The 16–3 loss to the Chiefs left Oakland with one win in three games. With four straight road games still ahead, the Raiders’ character would be severely tested.

In St. Louis, the silver and black faced soaring temperatures and an explosive Cardinals offense. Ignoring the heat, the fired-up Raiders defenders, led by Otis Sistrunk, Tony Kline, Art Thoms, and Phil Villapiano, limited the high-scoring Cards to only ten points (who averaged 20 per game that season). Behind flawless protection from Jim Otto, George Buehler, Gene Upshaw, Art Shell, Bob Brown, and John Vella, Kenny Stabler completed 19 of 31 as the surging Oakland offense gained nearly 450 yards.

Marv Hubbard helped achieve a club record of eighteen rushing first downs. Defense had been paramount in the first three games, but offensive came forth as Hubbard blasted in for the 17–10 clincher.

The traveling Raiders were on the road again, and this time it was San Diego that challenged Oakland’s closed end zone policy. The silver and black took advantage of every Charger miscue. Pete Banaszak recovered one fumble and Bob Moore’s score, along with touchdowns from Cliff Branch and Marv Hubbard and two Blanda field goals, gave Oakland the victory with a final score of 27–17.

Next, in a Monday night road game at Denver, the Raiders faced another team crusading to overtake them. Twenty-four-year veteran George Blanda became the first player to ever kick 300 field goals, but even more important kicks were yet to come.

Twice the Raiders rallied from behind. An 80-yard bomb from Kenny Stabler to Mike Siani brought Oakland back once, and the Raiders defense fought valiantly to protect the lead. Despite clutch plays such as Jack Tatum’s interception, the rugged Broncos forged a 17–13 lead. Cliff Branch then put Oakland ahead, 20–17. With Stabler injured, Lamonica came in and hit Branch to set up a go-ahead field goal. But Denver came back to tie the game at 23, and Oakland’s 3–2–1 record left the AFC Western Division title up for grabs.

Now the Raiders were cross-country in Baltimore for a fifth straight road game. Ken Stabler hit Mike Siani, Fred Biletnikoff, and Bob Moore with six passes each, while completing 25 of 29 to set an all-time NFL completion percentage record. This record performance again brought to national attention the precision passing that has for so long been a feared weapon in the Raiders arsenal. When the Colts tried to immolate the Raiders’ success, they ran into trouble from alert Alonzo “Skip” Thomas. With the riddled Colts secondary playing deep, Clarence Davis rolled behind Gene Upshaw for two scores and a 34–21 Oakland victory. Five straight away games, and yet this young Raiders squad had allowed but one game to result in defeat.

Finally the silver and black were finally home to the Oakland Coliseum. Their opponent in this eighth week of the season was the New York Giants. With a fortieth consecutive Coliseum sellout crowd in attendance, the fatigue of travel and battle was temporarily forgotten as Coach John Madden skillfully unfolded a devastating game plan. Against New York, Oakland’s superiority was evident from the opening whistle. Yard by yard, man by man, point by point, Oakland vanquished the Giants in a surge of raw power.

The defense, with linebacker Gerald Irons leading the way, zeroed in on the Giants. Down after down, the Raiders displayed the intensity of a proud team in search of its ninth consecutive winning season.

On the offense side, Kenny Stabler threw a touchdown to both Bob Moore and Charlie Smith, while Clarence Davis, and Marv Hubbard (twice) rushed for scores. Daryle Lamonica came in during the fourth quarter and whistled one to wide receiver Steve Sweeney. It finished the Giants 42–0 and raised Oakland’s record to 5–2–1.

Against the playoff-bound Pittsburgh Steelers, the Raiders were plagued by turnovers and penalties, and Ken Stabler suffered a knee injury. Behind Lamonica, Oakland ran and passed for nearly 400 yards against the prestigious Steelers defense. Despite this display of strength, the Raiders scored only nine points—a field goal by Blanda and a touchdown by Biletnikoff. As things went awry, Oakland suffered its third loss of the 1973 season. But while the 17–9 defeat was damaging, the bruising defensive struggle with Cleveland the following week was even more costly.

Both defenses played tough, tightfisted football. For the silver and black, the 7–3 loss seemed deadly because that night when the scores were in, the Raiders stood third in the AFC West and many thought they were finished.

With San Diego in Oakland, it was a must-win situation for the Raiders. The Chargers employed trick formations, but Coach Madden’s competent staff had the silver and black poised and ready.

Horace Jones and Kelvin Korver pressured the Chargers’ offense into big mistakes. The Raiders’ conference-leading defense forced a miscue that safety man George Atkinson turned into a score, and the Chargers were never close.

The defiant Raiders dug in and overpowered San Diego 31–3 with TDs from Smith, Biletnikoff, and Moore. The victory was crucial. Oakland’s comeback tradition blended with its strong pride that would not allow this team to give an inch despite the imposing obstacles that barred their charge to the division title.

With this victory, the Raiders were now tied for second, but faced yet another must-win in Houston.

Against the Oilers, Marv Hubbard raced for 121 yards to contribute to a new Raiders season rushing record of 2,510 yards. But the Raiders were in a rugged battle inside the Astrodome.

The Oakland defense bent, but a touchdown saving effort by Willie Brown epitomized the Raiders’ determination. Two plays later, the Houston scoring threat was smashed when linebacker Phil Villapiano picked up a forced fumble. Fred Biletnikoff’s clutch catch finished the Oilers, 17–6.

The Raiders were atop the AFC West, but on the horizon was the team that hated them most: the Kansas City Chiefs.

Nemiah Wilson came up with a timely interception that helped limit the Chiefs to only seven points. Then the Raiders offense zeroed in with their big guns, and the explosion shook the football world. This was the offense that would finish number one in the AFC, and KNBR’s Bill King describes the relentless role of the onrushing silver and black way:

“Stabler gives the ball to Hubbard. He breaks a tackle at the 25, the 20, the 15, the 5, TOUCHDOWN, RAIDERS! Hubbard with a 31-yard touchdown gives the Raiders the lead of 13–0. Marv Hubbard did another crunch job.”

And after the crunch came the crumble as the Oakland defense got it back and the Chiefs were ground to dust, 37–7. Now only two teams remained, and the last regular season game was the only one that mattered.

The Raiders had battled back and now faced the final challenge to their championship plans: the Denver Broncos. They forged an early lead and then added to it, as Stabler handed off to Davis for a score.

Throughout the year, the aggressive Raiders defense allowed only 175 points—58 less than any previous season. This intense pressure forced the Broncos to falter. Only the strong survive in the final quarter of a title game, and on this December day, once again it was the silver and black who conquered. A big play by the offense of Stabler to Siani for the score, and then another by the defense when the Broncos were intercepted by Thomas, rendered the final verdict, 21–17.

The Raiders, for the sixth time in seven years, had won the Western Division of the American Football Conference.

Just six days after defeating Denver, the Steelers and Raiders met at an AFC playoff game marked by Oakland’s methodical mayhem at the Coliseum.

With a first and ten to go at the Pittsburg 39, Villapiano intercepted the ball at the 40-yard line of the Raiders. Later, Bradshaw was looking for Barry Pearson and overthrew him. Waiting in the midst was George Atkinson for the second interception of the day. Once again, Bradshaw set up and fired down field, and the ball was intercepted by Willie Brown, who raced 54 yards to the end zone for the score.

With design and desire, the awesome Raiders juggernaut ripped out huge chunks of Steelers turf. Time and time again they drove to the end zone door and battered it down. In the end, it was Raiders pride that dominated the day with a resounding 33–14 victory—a triumph saluted with a standing ovation by the ecstatic Oakland fans.

Fifteen weeks after the league opener, the Raiders journeyed cross-country to meet the Miami Dolphins for the AFC Championship.

On the initial series, the Raiders mounted a strong drive that was killed by a heartbreaking penalty. Miami came right back and powered in for the score. The Dolphins had won twenty-three straight in the Orange Bowl, and Raiders efforts went for naught.

A George Blanda field goal and a Mike Siani touchdown were the only points that Oakland could muster that day. Final score: Miami 27, Oakland 10. The Raiders’ season had ended.

The silver and black had fought their way into the championship game with a thundering drive down the stretch that earned new respect and admiration. And the single loss could not erase another glorious season to which every Raider contributed. The excellence of head coach John Madden continued, as did the contribution of able assistants.

The pledge first made in 1963 by Al Davis was a simple one: “Unrivaled Excellence.” As pro football’s winningest team for the past eleven years, the Raiders’ monumental rise to glory stems from a dynamic organization whose motto is “Pride and Poise,” and whose lifeblood is and always will be “Conquest and Character.”

December 29, 1974: the AFC Championship game between the Oakland Raiders and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Raiders led 10–3 with only one quarter left before another glorious chapter could be added to the most memorable sports history of our time. A Super Bowl return marred the Oakland Raiders’ unrivaled record of accomplishments, but fate would write a new ending—a rarely called tripping penalty wiped out a Raiders scoring opportunity.

Super Bowl laurels faded in a mist of heartbreak and tears. What remained was a brilliant 12–2 season—best in the game. What remained was a magnificent playoff triumph over the defending World Champion Miami Dolphins in one of the greatest games ever played. What remained was a total domination of professional football since 1963 in terms of consistent victory. No organization even approaches the Raiders’ unbelievable 115 wins against only 42 losses (and 11 ties) during these twelve years. What remained was ten consecutive winning seasons—seven championships in eight years.

These monumental achievements are history, yet the true greatness of the Raiders remains in its future; a proud future fueled and fired by their relentless, unceasing commitment to excellence.

In Buffalo, the Raiders opened on the road for the fifth consecutive year. Before a Monday night television audience and 80,000 unloving fans, George Blanda kicked two field goals and Clarence Davis rushed 15 yards for a touchdown to put Oakland ahead, 13–7. Art Thoms scored on a fumble return late in the fourth quarter to put the Raiders ahead, 20–14, but a final Buffalo rally sealed a 21–20 Oakland defeat made more damaging by the loss of dependable Tony Cline for two months.

Cross-country travel left Raiders head coach John Madden and his assistants just five days to prepare for Kansas City. But five days were all that Oakland needed.

Mike Siani was on the receiving end of one Ken Stabler strike. Then the diverse Oakland attack sprung Pete Banaszak for 20 and a touchdown.

The silver and black defense was overwhelming. Monte Johnson stormed for one of four Raiders sacks. He also grabbed one of five Raiders interceptions that limited the Chiefs to only 86 yards passing.

Rookie tight end Dave Casper’s second score of the day made the final score, 27–7.

In Pittsburgh, the Raider defense was overpowering, making quarterback Joe Gilliam’s day a disaster. Big Bubba Smith dropped him for a 20-yard setback on one play. The defense rendered them scoreless for the first time in 132 games. Ken Stabler was neither sacked nor intercepted and his bullet to Cliff Branch finished Pittsburgh, 17–0.

In Cleveland, Jim Otto, George Buehler, John Vella, Art Shell, and Gene Upshaw gave near-perfect protection to a surging attack sparked by Clarence Davis’s extra-effort score. Twice the mighty Raiders fell behind by 10 points before rallying, while ringing up 445 yards and a record 90 offensive plays.

The defense clicked on interceptions by Jack Tatum and three in the last quarter by George Atkinson. Defensive captain Willie Brown picked off another as the Raiders rolled for 40 points en route to becoming 1974’s top scoring team. Final score: Raiders 40, Cleveland 24.

In San Diego, Coach Madden’s team was on the road for the fourth time in five weeks, and the defense was angry.

On offense, Snake struck twice—once to Cliff Branch and once to Bob Moore—giving the Raiders a 14–10 win and upping their record to 4–1.

The tough Cincinnati Bengals jumped ahead to a quick 14–3 lead. Ageless George Blanda, the oldest player in NFL history, kicked two field goals to keep the Raiders’ attack moving. His second put Oakland ahead, 23–21, but the Bengals bounced back and led 27–23 with 1:36 to go.

Daring comebacks are a Raider trademark, but the silver and black needed more than just a field goal. With calm and poise, Ken Stabler marched them goalward. Although playing without time-outs or huddles, the Raiders remained disciplined, cold, and relentless. Finally the game hinged on a few seconds and a few plays.

Stabler threw to Siani and he made it to the five with thirteen seconds left. Stabler next handed off to Charlie Smith and he rushed for the winning score.

The Raiders with their 30–27 win now carried a five-game winning streak as they traveled to meet their cross-bay rivals.

The silver and black had triumphed in San Francisco during preseason play. The return visit would end the same way, as Marv Hubbard powered for 117 yards and one touchdown.

Next, Stabler passed to Cliff Branch for 64 yards and another Raiders score. It was exhibition season revisited. The domination continued, as under unyielding pressure the Niners lost the ball and George Atkinson’s recovery set up a Stabler-to-Dave Casper score.

Then Ray Guy, pro football’s leading punter, boomed a punt, and the 49ers return man dropped the ball. Harold Hart recovered and ran it back 60 yards for the score to end the San Francisco earthquake of 1974. Final score: Oakland 35, San Francisco 24.

In Denver, the Raiders were undaunted by a Rocky Mountain winter. Even in the snow, John Madden’s forces were ready. Twice Ken Stabler found Fred Biletnikoff for scores. These helped Biletnikoff to become the first player in Raiders history to score 60 touchdowns. Cliff Branch also hit pay dirt twice to continue his route to the playoffs and a league-leading 13 TD catches. It was seven in a row for the silver and black. Final score: Oakland 28, Denver 17.

Back in Oakland for the season’s ninth week, the Raiders faced the Detroit Lions, who saw their own four-game winning streak demolished. Linebacker Dan Conners came up with two interceptions to help Oakland finish second in that NFL department. Then came time to remind pro football that the bomb was back in Oakland, as Stabler threw long to Cliff Branch for a score, while the Raider runners blasted out 284 yards.

The San Diego Chargers came to Oakland with lightning bolts on their helmets, but the real lightning wore #21 for the silver and black, as Cliff Branch scored on a 60-yard bomb from Kenny Stabler.

The defense pounded the Chargers, while Oakland’s Gerald Irons and Skip Thomas destroyed Charger hopes.

When the Broncos came to Oakland, they were meeting the first team in the entire NFL to earn a playoff spot. Seven times in eight years the Raiders had won the Western Division Championship. But despite Ken Stabler’s two TDs to Biletnikoff and a field goal by George Blanda, it wasn’t enough for the win. The Raider winning streak ended with the final score of 20–17.

Unfortunately for the New England Patriots, they would have to pay for that loss to Denver. It was an enormous love-in for Oakland fans, as Stabler hit Branch (twice), Biletnikoff, and Moore in the end zone for scores.

Twin terrors Horace Jones and Otis Sistrunk pounded Plunkett and company all day. Pressure paid off when Skip Thomas scored on an interception. Then rookies Larry Lawrence and Harold Hart ran an option and finalized the Oakland victory, 41–26.

In a cold, windy Kansas City, the Raiders played the Chiefs for the first time in a decade without a championship at stake.

Throughout the bitter day, the Oakland defense made big plays as Horace Jones recovered a fumble and ran 45 yards. With Brown and Tatum still out, Jimmy Warren stepped in and made a crucial interception.

Then, in an intense finish, veteran quarterback Daryle Lamonica hit Cliff Branch for a narrow 7–6 Raiders win.

Before the final league game against Dallas, Kenny Stabler was presented the 1974 Gorman Award as the player who best exemplified the pride and spirit of the Oakland Raiders.

Then a national TV audience saw a Raiders team bound for glory as Fred Biletnikoff led the way while achieving his eighth consecutive season of 40 or more receptions.

Ken Stabler then found Charlie Smith on a pattern that would loom large in the upcoming playoff classic. Suddenly the Cowboys were struggling for survival when Phil Villapiano recovered a fumble.

On the next play, Blanda found Branch for a score. It was the first pass that Blanda had thrown since 1972. This pass helped close the league season with a 27–23 Oakland victory, and George Blanda was named NFL Man of the Year.

From the opening kickoff, the Raider–Dolphin playoff game exploded with excitement as Dolphin Nat Moore raced 89 yards to score. The sellout Coliseum crowd despaired, but the pride and poise that made these Raiders so feared and respected never wavered.

After missing the end zone by inches the first time, Biletnikoff caught a deflected pass in the end zone for a second Raiders score. Following in Biletnikoff’s footsteps, Branch caught a bomb from Stabler on the 30 and ran it in for a touchdown, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Miami trailed 21–19, but they had not become two-time world champions by giving up. They roared back and powered into the end zone to lead again, 26–21. With only 2:01 left and with pro football’s most disciplined defense to overcome, the Oakland Raider hopes hung by a thread.

But Stabler took the reins and led the charge. He went to Biletnikoff for 18 and then again for 20 more. With forty seconds left, Stabler hit Frank Pitts for a crucial five yards. Now it was do or die.

Stabler then faded back, was hit, and lobbed the ball to Davis for the score. With twenty-one seconds left, Griese was intercepted by Villapiano. Raiders 28, Miami 26.

The Raiders would once again play their formidable foes: the Pittsburgh Steelers. But with two Blanda field goals and a touchdown by Cliff Branch, it would not be enough and, once again, the Raiders would go down in flames. Final score: Steelers 24, Raiders 13.