Oakland Raiders Epic Moments

SI Staff | Dec 16, 2012

Oakland Raiders Epic Moments

Jan. 9, 1977

Walter Iooss Jr./SI

Making the franchise's second championship appearance in Super Bowl XI, the Raiders looked for their first title. Under the guidance of coach John Madden and steady play of quarterback Ken Stabler, Oakland prevented the Vikings from achieving a Super Bowl win in their fourth attempt in eight seasons, prevailing handily, 32-14.

Jan. 22, 1984

John Iacono/SI

After relocating to Los Angeles following the 1981 championship season, the Raiders were back in the Super Bowl just a few years later and faced Joe Gibbs' favored defending Super Bowl champion Redskins. In what is remembered as "Black Sunday," the Silver and Black jumped out to a 21-3 halftime lead and never looked back. Marcus Allen was named the game's MVP after racing to two touchdowns and a then-record 191 total yards, and Los Angeles took Super Bowl XVIII, 38-9.

Dec. 21, 1974

Neil Leifer

The Raiders hosted the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Dolphins in an AFC Divisional playoff. Down 26-21 with two minutes to go, Ken Stabler drove his team 68 yards down the field, somehow finding running back Clarence Davis in the end zone through a "sea of hands" from Miami defenders to take the lead and eventually the win, 28-26.

Jan. 4, 1981

Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

Under frigid conditions in a divisional playoff at Cleveland Stadium, the Raiders were up 14-12 with less than a minute in the game, but the favored Browns in field goal range. Rather than attempt a kick because the field was frozen, Cleveland's quarterback called Red Right 88 and went for the touchdown. Raiders safety Mike Davis intercepted the ball in the end zone, sending the Raiders to the AFC Championship, and then Super Bowl XV, where they defeated the Eagles for their second title in five seasons.

Jan. 25, 1981

Heinz Kluetmeier, Andy Hayt/SI

Jim Plunkett, given up for washed up only a season earlier, throws for 261 yards and three TDs, and linebacker Rod Martin registers a Super Bowl-record three interceptions as the Raiders pound the favored Eagles 27-10. Oakland becomes the first wild-card team since the 1970 merger to win the Super Bowl.

Nov. 17, 1968

AP

With only 65 seconds left in a heavyweight AFL slugfest against the Joe Namath-led Jets, the Raiders trailed 32-29. Suddenly NBC switched to its previously scheduled programming, the movie "Heidi," and few saw the thrilling conclusion of the game. The Raiders staked a torrid comeback, scoring on a Daryle Lamonica touchdown pass, followed by a fumbled Jets kickoff return for another Raiders score, and it was forever termed "The Heidi Game," many considering it the most memorable regular-season professional football game in history.