10 Greatest Games in Oakland Raiders History

What constitutes a great game?

That question can be answered in many different ways depending upon who you ask. For a 49ers fan, Super Bowl XXIV was a great game. For a Bronco fan...not so much.

I consider a great game to be a game that I can enjoy whether my favorite team is involved or not. To me, Super Bowl XXXVIII was a great game even if it wasn't for Panther fans.

It had everything that makes football great; back and forth lead changes, one great play followed by another, culminating in a game-winning drive as time ran out. Riveting!

I will not be using the aforementioned criteria to determine the games for what follows.

This list is going to cover the great games in Raider history as compiled by a 37-year member of Raider Nation.

For Raider fans, by a Raider fan.

Let's do this...

10. 1993 AFC Wild Card game

Oakland 42 - Denver 24
January 9, 1994
Los Angeles, California

You're probably thinking, "WHAT? Why would he call this a great game in Raider history? It wasn't close, there wasn't a come back, and it didn't lead to a championship." Well, there are a couple of reasons.

It's the Broncos! I don't care if Oakland goes 1-15; if they get that lone win against Denver, it's a great game! The Raiders hate them, and they hate the Raiders.

Another, more historical, reason for this game to be on the list is the fact that it marked the first time in NFL history that a team defeated the same team three times in the same year.

Oakland squeaked out two narrow victories against Denver in the regular season, 23-20 in Week Seven and 33-30 in the last week of the season.

When the playoff match up between Oakland and Denver was set, Raider fans, including myself, thought "can we do what has never been done?" The answer was a resounding yes.

I will always remember this game as one of my favorites because of the history, and the fact that John Elway left the stadium with his tail between his legs! It was AWESOME to see that.

Raider's statistical leaders:

Jeff Hostetler: 13-of-19, 294 yards and 3 TDs
Napoleon McCallum: 13 carries, 81 yards and 3 TDs
James Jett: 3 catches, 111 and 1 TD

Torin Dorn: 1 interception
Anthony Smith: 1 sack

9. 1973 AFC divisional playoff game

Oakland 33 - Pittsburgh 14
December 22, 1973
Oakland, California

You may be asking why this game is on my list. It wasn't a very close game. The Raiders didn't come from behind, and the outcome was never really in doubt. Well, there are two good reasons for it to make the list.

Reason 1: HISTORY

This is the game that helped launch the storied rivalry between the Raiders and the Steelers that led some of the best games, not only in Raider or Steeler history, but in league history.

Reason 2: REVENGE!

In the previous year, Pittsburgh not only beat the Raiders in the regular season opener 38-24, but also ended the Raider's championship hopes by beating them 13-7 in the first round of the playoffs.

In all, any time the Raiders met the Steelers after this game, it was a war. Both teams hated each other and would give its all to run up the score and embarrass the other. This time the Silver & Black got the last laugh.

Raider's statistical leaders:

Ken Stabler: 14-of-17 for 142 yards
Marv Hubbard: 20 carries for 91 yards and 2 TDs
Mike Siani: 5 receptions for 68 yards

Willie Brown: 1 interception for 54 yards and 1 TD
Phil Villapiano: 1 interception
George Atkinson: 1 interception

8. 1980 AFC Championship game

Raiders 34 - Chargers 27
January 11, 1981
San Diego, California

This was a great game for a myriad of reasons.

The Raiders defeated a divisional rival...in their house; an underrated defense put on a stellar performance, and the Raiders secured a berth in Super Bowl XV. They went on to win the Super Bowl, reestablishing themselves as the team to beat in the NFL.

I know that giving up 27 points doesn't seem like a stellar defensive performance. But against the Don Coryelle-conceived, Don Fouts-led Chargers team, that's no small feat! The Raider defense forced three turnovers and many "3-and-outs" against that high- powered offense.

The final and best reason for this game to make the list...I was there!

My older brother and I made the two-and-a-half-hour drive to the then named "Jack Murphy Stadium" in San Diego from our home in Yuma, AZ. We wore our Silver & Black with pride and were the only ones in our section that had anything to cheer about!

Good times man...good times!

Raider statistical leaders:

Jim Plunkett: 14-of-18 for 261 yards and 2 TDs
Raymond Chester: 5 receptions for 102 yards and 1 TD
Mark Van Eeghan: 20 carries for 85 yards and 1 TD

Lester Hayes: 1 interception
Burgess Owens: 1 interception
Ted Hendricks: 1 fumble recovery

7. 1980 AFC Divisional Playoff Game-"Red Right 88"

Oakland 14 - Cleveland 12
January 4, 1981
Cleveland, Ohio

This was not only one of the great games in Raider history, but in league history, as well. It was played in freezing cold "football weather" in Cleveland, Ohio. It was clear from the get-go that this game was going to come down to defense.

Both teams forced their opponent to look less than efficient on offense, forcing several three-and-outs and punt after punt. At the end of the first quarter the score was still 0-0.

Scoring in the second came by way of an interception of Jim Plunkett by Cleveland DB Ron Bolton that was returned for a touchdown, but the PAT failed. The Raiders were able to answer by taking the lead on a Mark Van Eeghen one-yard run to end the first half scoring.

The third quarter saw only six points put on the board...two 30-yard field goals by Cleveland kicker Don Cockroft.

Trailing 12-7 to start the final quarter, the Raiders got to work. They were able to possess the ball and control the clock for the most part. The defense kept up it's stellar play holding the Browns scoreless. Oakland finally took the lead with another one-yard run by Van Eeghen with 4:40 to go in the game.

Brian Sipe and the Browns set out to win the game with a final drive with 2:22 on the clock. They managed to get all the way down to the Raider's 13- yard line. On 2nd-and-9, needing only a field goal to win, the Browns inexplicably called a pass play, "Red Right 88".

As I mentioned before, it came down to defense.

Safety Mike Davis intercepted Sipe's pass in the end zone to seal the Raider victory and send them to San Diego to play for the AFC championship.

Raider's statistical leaders:

Jim Plunkett: 14-of-30 for 149 yards, no TDs and 2 interceptions
Mark Van Eeghen: 20 carries for 45 yards and 2 TDs
Raymond Chester: 3 catches for 64 yards

Lester Hayes: 2 interceptions
Mike Davis: 1 interception (including the proverbial "dagger.")

6. 1976 AFC Championship

Oakland 24 - Pittsburgh 7
December 26, 1976
Oakland, California

Once again, back to the Raider/Steeler rivalry.

This is another one of those games that was not a particularly great game for football fans in general. It was, however, a fantastic game in Raider history.

It was a typical Raiders/Steelers defensive struggle. Neither team reached the 250-yard mark on offense. The one area that decided the game was rushing yards. The vaunted Steelers running attack was held to a mere 72 yards, while the Raiders racked up 157 against the "Steel Curtain."

It was never really close. The Raider defense dominated the Steelers from the start and never let up. No matter how hard they tried or how tricky they got, Pittsburgh couldn't sustain any meaningful offense against the Silver and Black.

This game is on my list because it was another time that the Raiders dominated their hated rival from Pennsylvania. It allowed Oakland to move one step closer to their Super Bowl XI win.

Raider's statistical leaders:

Ken Stabler: 10-of-16 for 88 yards and 2 TDs
Mark Van Eeghan: 22 carries for 66 yards
Cliff Branch: 3 catches for 46 yards

Willie Hall: 1 interception
Otis Sistrunk: 1 sack
Phil Villapiano: 1 sack
Dave Rowe & Skip Thomas: 1 shared sack (1/2 each)

5. 1976 AFC Divisional Playoff Game-"Ghost to the Post"

Oakland 37 - Baltimore 31
December 27, 1977
Baltimore, Maryland

With me writing this article, you had to expect this game to make the list!

This is one of those games that was great for not only Raider fans, but football fans in general (except Colts fans). Nine lead changes—one in the first quarter, one in the second quarter, three in the third quarter, three in the fourth quarter—and the game winner in the second overtime.

Clarence Davis and Pete Banaszak each scored rushing touchdowns. Ken Stabler had a typical "Snake" type day, throwing for over 300 yards and three TDs but also two INTs. All three of his TDs, including the game winner, went to my hero, Dave Casper.

The ironic thing about the famous "Ghost to the Post" play was that, according to Stabler, it had never been thrown to the tight end. It was intended to go to Cliff Branch, but he was covered that time. The post route by Casper was only intended to draw the safety away from Branch. Well, it did, but Casper just flat beat him!

Combine the nice route by Casper and the nearly perfect throw by Stabler and what you're left with is a great Raider win that sent them to Denver for the AFC championship Game and a shot at playing in Super Bowl XII.

Raider's statistical leaders:

Ken Stabler: 21-of-40 for 345 yards, 3 TDs and 2 INTs
Mark Van Eeghen: 19 carries for 76 yards
Cliff Branch: 6 catches for 113 yards
Dave Casper 4 catches for 70 yards and 3 TDs

Carl Garrett: 5 kick returns for 169 yards

4. 1968 AFL Playoff

Oakland 41 - Kansas City 6
December 22, 1968
Oakland, California

Yet another game that wasn't close, but still a great one in Raider history.

"The Mad Bomber", Daryle Lamonica, led the Raiders in a blow out of their divisional rival Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders were the defending AFL champs and every team in the league was gunning for them, including K.C.

Even though the Raiders were favored, some "experts" thought that the Chiefs could hang with them due the their own prolific offense led by Len Dawson. They were wrong...very wrong.

The Silver and Black exploded for 21 points in the first quarter and never looked back. They took the Chiefs to the proverbial "woodshed" and thoroughly embarrassed them. It was great!

Unfortunately, Oakland lost the following week to the eventual Super Bowl III Champions, the N.Y. Jets. Many football pundits felt that, given the performance of the Colts in that Super Bowl, the Raiders would have beaten the Colts much more easily than the Jets did. I guess we'll never know.

Raiders statistical leaders:

Daryle Lamonica: 19-of-39 for 347 yards and 5 TDs
Charlie Smith: 13 carries for 54 yards
Fred Biletnikoff: 7 catches for 180 yards and 3 TDs

Willie Brown: 1 interception
Jerry Hopkins: 1 interception
Nemiah Wilson: 1 interception

1c. Super Bowl XVIII

Los Angeles 38 - Washington 9
January 22, 1984
Tampa, Florida

I'm sure that upon reading the title of this slide show, you already knew which games would make up the top three. The only question should have been in which order would I rank them?

I chose to rank them 1a, 1b and 1c. That should eliminate most arguments!

Even though this is the last time the Raiders won it all, this championship isn't quite as historic as the other two (reasoning to be laid out in the following slides). That is why it is ranked at 1c.

This particular Super Bowl was not that great of a game to the average viewer.

After a 12 yard Jim Plunkett to Cliff Branch touchdown pass and two defensive touchdowns (a fumble recovery by Derrick Jensen and the famous Jack Squirek five-yard interception), any and all doubt as to the outcome was removed. A 21-3 lead at the half has a tendency to do that!

That probably removed the excitement for the average, non-invested fan.

Washington was expected to win as the 2 1/2 point favorite in betting circles. However, the Silver & Black had other ideas. The odds makers didn't take into account how badly the Raider defense wanted to prove how good they really were.

They proved it alright and gave the city of Los Angeles something the Rams couldn't...a championship!

The most prolific offense and highest-scoring team in league history at the time was held to a paltry nine points. The Raiders' band of renegades and misfits swarmed all over the Redskins. The Raiders allowed only 2.8 yards per carry on the ground, less that 200 net passing yards and forced three turnovers.

When Marcus Allen reversed his field and broke free for what was then a Super Bowl record 74-yard touchdown to bring the third quarter score to 35-9, the "fat lady" began to warm up her voice.

Chris Bahr's 21-yard field goal in the fourth concluded the scoring, and it was all over but the crying!

This blow out win for the Raiders was not what the casual fan would consider a "great game." I guess it's a good thing that this list isn't being put together for the average fan. It is for Raider fans, and Raider fans loved every minute of this game!

Raider's statistical leaders:

Jim Plunkett: 16-of-25 for 172 yards and 1 TD
Marcus Allen: 20 Carries for 191 and 2 TDs (MVP)
Cliff Branch: 6 Catches for 94 yards and 1 TD

J. Barnes, M. Davis, R. Martin, M. Millen, B. Pickel, G. Townsend: 1 sack each
Mike Haynes: 1 interception
Jack Squirek: 1 interception for 1 TD

1b. Super Bowl XV

Oakland 27 - Philadelphia 10
January 25, 1981
New Orleans, Louisiana

Yet another game on my list that wasn't even close. But again, I'm not trying to list the greatest games in NFL history, but rather the greatest games in Raider history. By that criteria, Super Bowl XV fits the bill perfectly.

That said, there are two specific reasons for this game to make this list.

Reason 1. DOMINANCE:

When it was over, there was no doubt about what team was the best in the league. The Oakland Raiders dominated the Philadelphia Eagles from the start.

Once Kenny King took a Jim Plunkett pass 80 yards for a touchdown, Eagle fans began to worry. Things would not get any easier for Philly fans because the Raider defense got into the act, as well.

How Rod Martin didn't win the MVP is beyond me. If a Super Bowl record three interceptions doesn't win you the car, what does? Would Plunkett have thrown three TDs if Martin didn't keep giving him the ball?

The Raider defense forced four turnovers and held the highly-touted Eagle offense to just 2.65 yards per carry rushing.

Reason 2. HISTORY:

Super Bowl XV marked the first time in league history that a Wild Card team went on to win it all. Typical Raiders...changing the game forever and doing what had never been done.

It wasn't just that a Wild Card team won it. It was that a Wild Card team dominated their more highly- touted opponents in the process. The Raiders victory in Super Bowl XV validated the NFL's decision to allow non-division winning teams to participate in the playoffs.

On January 26, (the day after) the league no longer had to explain themselves to the purists that were questioning them from the day the decision was made.

Raider fans didn't care. They were just elated that their belief in the Raiders was proven to be well placed.

Raider's statistical leaders:

Jim Plunkett: 13-of-21 for 261 and 3 TDs (MVP)
Mark Van Eeghen: 19 carries for 80 yards
Cliff Branch: 5 catches for 67 yards and 2 TDs

Rod Martin: 3 interceptions (enough said)

1a. Super Bowl XI

Oakland 32 - Minnesota 14
January 9, 1977
Pasadena, California

This game was not only the first Super Bowl championship for the Oakland Raiders, but also another step in the original AFL teams gaining the respect they deserved.

Even though the Jets, Chiefs and Dolphins had already won the big game before, AFL teams were still considered "not comparable to NFL teams" to quote Vince Lombardi after beating the Chiefs in the first Super Bowl.

The Minnesota Vikings were expected to quell the idea that any old AFL team could compete once and for all. Fran Tarkenton backed by the "Purple People Eaters" defense walked into the Rose Bowl with a cocky arrogance that was soon squashed like a bug with a big, rolled up, Silver and Black newspaper!

The Vikings' league leading rushing attack was held to 71 yards. The Raiders defense forced three turnovers, while the Raider offense out-gained the Vikings 429 to 353 and did not surrender any turnovers.

By the end, the Oakland Raiders proved that the original AFL could not only compete, not only win, but dominate...and dominance is what Raider football is all about.

Raider's statistical leaders:

Ken Stabler: 12-of-19 for 180 yards and 1 TD
Clarence Davis: 16 carries for 137 yards
Fred Biletnikoff: 4 catches for 79 yards (MVP)

Willie Brown: 1 interception for 75 yards and a TD
Willie Hall: 1 interception for 16 yards
Phil Villapiano: 1 sack

Honorable Mentions

With so many great games, I couldn't cover them all. Here are some honorable mentions in no particular order.

December 21, 1974 - "Sea of Hands" vs Miami
September 10, 1978 - "The Holy Roller" vs San Diego
November 17, 1968 - "The Heidi Game" vs NY Jets
January 19, 2003 - 2002 AFC Championship game vs Tennessee
December 27, 1970 - AFC Divisional Playoff vs Miami
December 31, 1967 - AFL Championship vs Houston
December 18, 1976 - AFC Divisional Playoff vs New England

There it is

When my NFL community leader, Dylan MacNamara gave me this assignment, I thought..."piece of cake!" Yeah, right!

This was not an easy list to create because there were so many great games in the 50-year history of the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. Obviously I couldn't list them all, but I'm pretty satisfied with the list I've compiled.

The research of this article taught me things I didn't know and reaffirmed some things I already did.

I didn't realize how big of a part Mark Van Eeghen played in the greatness of the Raiders. He got over shadowed a lot by all the big names, big plays and big personalities the team has had over the years. I knew he was good and was important to the team, but I never fully appreciated how good or how important until I kept running across his name on the stat sheets.

What it reaffirmed for me was how great this team was over the years, what the Raiders did to change the game, and what they did to earn the respect and love of their fans and the ire of their opponents.

I'm sure some of you are chomping at the bit to comment on the games I missed, overlooked or overrated.

I'm ready for it...so get to it!