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1976 Oakland Raiders season

NFL team season

NFL team season

FieldValue
teamOakland Raiders
year1976
record13–1
division_place1st AFC West
ownerAl Davis
general managerAl Davis
coachJohn Madden
stadiumOakland–Alameda County Coliseum
playoffs**Won [Divisional Playoffs](1976-77-nfl-playoffs)**
(vs. [Patriots](1976-new-england-patriots-season)) 24–21
**Won [AFC Championship](1976-77-nfl-playoffs)**
(vs. [Steelers](1976-pittsburgh-steelers-season)) 24–7
**Won Super Bowl XI**
(vs. [Vikings](1976-minnesota-vikings-season)) 32–14
shortnavlinkRaiders seasons

(vs. Patriots) 24–21 Won AFC Championship (vs. Steelers) 24–7 Won Super Bowl XI (vs. Vikings) 32–14 The 1976 Oakland Raiders season was the team's 17th season, and 7th in the National Football League (NFL).

After having appeared in the three previous AFC Championship Games – and having lost all three—the 1976 Raiders finally won the conference championship, and went on to win their first Super Bowl.

After posting a 13–1 regular season record and winning their sixth AFC West championship in seven seasons, and their fifth consecutive one, the Raiders won against both the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers to achieve the team's second Super Bowl berth. Then, on January 9, 1977, at the Rose Bowl, the Raiders won Super Bowl XI by rolling over the Minnesota Vikings 32–14. With this victory, the Raiders achieved a overall record. They were the best team in the NFL in 1976.

In 2012, the 1976 Oakland Raiders were named the greatest team of all time by NFL.com's "Bracketology"; a 15-day, six-round fan vote tournament that featured the 64 greatest teams from the Super Bowl era. Oakland beat the 2000 Baltimore Ravens in the final round by a .8% margin. The NFL on its 100th anniversary named the 1976 Raiders #8 on the 100 greatest teams of all time.

Offseason

RoundOverallPlayerPositionCollege
2
2
3
4
5
7
8
8
10
11
12
13
13
14
15
16
17
17

Personnel

Staff / Coaches

  • Principal Owner/General Manager - Al Davis

  • Minority Co-Owner - Eddie McGah

  • President of the General Partner / General Manager – Al Davis

  • Senior Executive – John Herrera

  • Executive Assistant / Scout - Al LoCasale

  • Head Coach – John Madden

  • Assistant Head Coach / Executive Assistant - Tom Flores

  • Offensive Backs – Lew Erber

  • Receivers Coach – Tom Flores

  • Offensive line – Ollie Spencer

  • Defensive Line – Tom Dahms

  • Linebackers – Don Shinnick

  • Defensive Backfield – Bob Zeman

  • Special teams – None - N/A

:Source:

Roster

Season summary

The Road to their first World Championship began on opening day, as they hosted the two-time reigning world champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Oakland trailed 28–14 with just over five minutes to play, yet orchestrated what many to this day refer to as their Comeback Classic of . They won 31–28 on a 21-yard Fred Steinfort field goal with 18 seconds left.

What followed was a mammoth five-game road trip, featuring wins over each of the Raiders' three divisional foes. It also included Oakland's lone loss on the year, a 48–17 shocker at New England. However, this would just be a preview of things to come between the Raiders and the Patriots.

Oakland's first six wins were by a total of 28 points. Coupled with the loss, the Raiders actually were outscored 151–148 despite a 6–1 record. But they became virtually unbeatable after the defeat. Upon returning home, they cruised to big victories, like a 49–16 stomping of the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and had nail biters like the 28–27 victory against a competitive Chicago Bear team at Soldier Field. They closed out the season with a 24–0 shutout of the San Diego Chargers in Oakland, and ended allowing only 16 points total to division foes Denver, Kansas City and San Diego at home (Tampa Bay was also in the AFC West, finishing 0–14).

The Raiders ended the 1976 season with 64.3% of their passes completed; Ken Stabler completed 66.7% of his passes. Fullback Mark van Eeghen passed the 1,000-yard mark at 1,012 yards. Tight end Dave Casper led the team in receptions with 53, while side receiver Cliff Branch led in reception yards (1,111), touchdowns (12), and yards per reception for receivers who caught more than one pass (24.2).

Preseason

Oakland Raidersyear=1976border=2}}"WeekOakland Raidersyear=1976border=2}}"DateOakland Raidersyear=1976border=2}}"OpponentOakland Raidersyear=1976border=2}}"ResultOakland Raidersyear=1976border=2}}"RecordOakland Raidersyear=1976border=2}}"VenueOakland Raidersyear=1976border=2}}"AttendanceOakland Raidersyear=1976border=2}}"Recap123456
[Dallas Cowboys](1976-dallas-cowboys-season)**W** 17–141–0Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum52,391[Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1976nfloak.html)
vs. [St. Louis Cardinals](1976-st-louis-cardinals-nfl-season)**W** 20–92–0Sun Devil Stadium (Tempe, Arizona)33,216[Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1976nfloak.html)
at [New York Jets](1976-new-york-jets-season)**W** 41–173–0Yankee Stadium10,726[Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1976nfloak.html)
[Los Angeles Rams](1976-los-angeles-rams-season)**L** 14–233–1Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum52,615[Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1976nfloak.html)
August 29at [San Francisco 49ers](1976-san-francisco-49ers-season)**W** 14–94–1Candlestick Park52,704[Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1976nfloak.html)
[Seattle Seahawks](1976-seattle-seahawks-season)**W** 45–285–1Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum51,487[Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1976nfloak.html)

Regular season

Main article: 1976 NFL season

Oakland Raidersyear=1976border=2}}"WeekOakland Raidersyear=1976border=2}}"DateOakland Raidersyear=1976border=2}}"OpponentOakland Raidersyear=1976border=2}}"ResultOakland Raidersyear=1976border=2}}"RecordOakland Raidersyear=1976border=2}}"VenueOakland Raidersyear=1976border=2}}"AttendanceOakland Raidersyear=1976border=2}}"Recap1234567891011121314
September 12[Pittsburgh Steelers](1976-pittsburgh-steelers-season)**W** 31–281–0Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum51,371[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197609120rai.htm)
at **[Kansas City Chiefs](1976-kansas-city-chiefs-season)****W** 24–212–0Arrowhead Stadium60,884[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197609200kan.htm)
September 26at [Houston Oilers](1976-houston-oilers-season)**W** 14–133–0Astrodome42,338[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197609260oti.htm)
October 3at [New England Patriots](1976-new-england-patriots-season)**L** 17–483–1Schaefer Stadium61,068[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197610030nwe.htm)
October 10at **[San Diego Chargers](1976-san-diego-chargers-season)****W** 27–174–1San Diego Stadium50,523[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197610100sdg.htm)
October 17at **[Denver Broncos](1976-denver-broncos-season)****W** 17–105–1Mile High Stadium63,431[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197610170den.htm)
October 24[Green Bay Packers](1976-green-bay-packers-season)**W** 18–146–1Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum52,232[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197610240rai.htm)
October 31**[Denver Broncos](1976-denver-broncos-season)****W** 19–67–1Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum52,169[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197610310rai.htm)
November 7at [Chicago Bears](1976-chicago-bears-season)**W** 28–278–1Soldier Field53,585[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197611070chi.htm)
November 14**[Kansas City Chiefs](1976-kansas-city-chiefs-season)****W** 21–109–1Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum48,259[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197611140rai.htm)
November 21at [Philadelphia Eagles](1976-philadelphia-eagles-season)**W** 26–710–1Veterans Stadium65,990[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197611210phi.htm)
November 28**[Tampa Bay Buccaneers](1976-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season)****W** 49–1611–1Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum49,590[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197611280rai.htm)
[Cincinnati Bengals](1976-cincinnati-bengals-season)**W** 35–2012–1Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum52,430[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197612060rai.htm)
December 12**[San Diego Chargers](1976-san-diego-chargers-season)****W** 24–013–1Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum50,102[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197612120rai.htm)
**Note:** Intra-division opponents are in **bold** text.

Game notes

Week 1: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 2: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week 3: at Houston Oilers

Week 4: at New England Patriots

Week 5: at San Diego Chargers

Week 6: at Denver Broncos

Week 7: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 8: vs. Denver Broncos

Week 9 at Chicago Bears

First quarter

  • CHI – Walter Payton 5-yard run (Bob Thomas kick). Bears 7–0. Second quarter
  • OAK – Dave Casper 17-yard pass from Ken Stabler (Errol Mann kick). Tie 7–7.
  • OAK – Cliff Branch 75-yard pass from Ken Stabler (Errol Mann kick). Raiders 14–7. Third quarter
  • OAK – Clarence Davis 2-yard run (Errol Mann kick). Raiders 21–7.
  • CHI – James Scott 36-yard pass from Bob Avellini (Bob Thomas kick). Raiders 21–14.
  • CHI – Walter Payton 12-yard run (kick failed). Raiders 21–20.
  • CHI – Walter Payton 2-yard run (Bob Thomas kick). Bears 27–21. Fourth quarter
  • OAK – Cliff Branch 49-yard pass from Ken Stabler (Errol Mann kick). Raiders 28–27. ;Top passers
  • OAK – Ken Stabler – 11/17, 234 yards, 3 TD
  • CHI – Bob Avellini – 10/18, 204 yards, TD, INT ;Top rushers
  • OAK – Mark van Eeghen – 12 rushes, 62 yards
  • CHI – Walter Payton – 36 rushes, 97 yards, 3 TD ;Top receivers
  • OAK – Cliff Branch – 5 receptions, 163 yards, 2 TD
  • CHI – James Scott – 3 receptions, 76 yards, TD

Oakland escaped Chicago with a victory after a 31-yard field goal attempt by Bob Thomas with 15 seconds left got caught in a gust of wind and hit the upright.

Week 10: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week 11: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week 12: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 13: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

With the Raiders' victory, the Steelers tied the Bengals for first in the AFC Central. Pittsburgh would win the division on a tiebreaker.

Week 14: vs. San Diego Chargers

Standings

Playoffs

Main article: 1976–77 NFL playoffs

WeekDateOpponentResultVenueAttendance
Divisional
AFC Championship
Super Bowl XI

:Source:

AFC Divisional: vs. New England Patriots

New England Patriots at Oakland Raiders

  • Source: Pro-Football-Reference.com Raiders win and go to the AFC Championship Game and win to the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-7. And win Super Bowl XI to the Minnesota Vikings 32-14.

AFC Championship: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers at Oakland Raiders

Super Bowl XI: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Main article: Super Bowl XI

Second quarter

  • OAK – Errol Mann 24-yard field goal – Raiders 3-0
  • OAK – Dave Casper 1-yard pass from Ken Stabler (Errol Mann kick) – Raiders 10-0
  • OAK – Pete Banaszak 1-yard run (kick failed) – Raiders 16-0 Third quarter
  • OAK – Errol Mann 40-yard field goal – Raiders 19-0
  • MIN – Sammy White 8-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick) – Raiders 19-7 Fourth quarter
  • OAK – Pete Banaszak 2-yard run (Errol Mann kick) – Raiders 26-7
  • OAK – Willie Brown 75-yard interception return (kick failed) – Raiders 32-7
  • MIN – Stu Voigt 13-yard pass from Bob Lee (Fred Cox kick) – Raiders 32-14 Raiders win and in 1977 finished 12-2 and win in 2OT to the Baltimore Colts 37-31. But lost to the Super Bowl XII loser Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game 20-17.

Awards and honors

  • Ken Stabler, Bert Bell Award

References

References

  1. [http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/14637261/afc-championship-game-history AFC Championship Game results], ESPN, Jan. 23, 2016.
  2. "GREATEST TEAM OF ALL TIME". [[National Football League]].
  3. "NFL Top 100 Teams". Pro Football Reference.
  4. "100 Greatest Teams: Numbers 100-1 SUPERCUT". NFL.com.
  5. "1976 NFL Draft at databaseFootball.com".
  6. https://www.profootballarchives.com/1976nfloak.html
  7. (1977). "McDonald's History of the Super Bowl, Volume 3". McDonald's Corporation.
  8. "1976 NFL Standings & Team Stats".
  9. {{usurped
  10. "Maxwell Football Club - Bert Bell Award Past Recipients".
Info: Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

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