1979 Oakland Raiders season

1979 Oakland Raiders season
1979 Oakland Raiders season
Owner	Al Davis
Head coach	Tom Flores
General manager	Al Davis
Home field	Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum
Results
Record	9–7
Division place	3rd AFC West
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
	← 1978; Raiders seasons; 1980 →;

The Raiders hosting the Miami Dolphins at the Coliseum in 1979

The 1979 Oakland Raiders season was their 10th in the league, and 20th overall. They matched their previous season's output of 9–7.^[1] Oakland started off 1–3, rallied to 6–4, then fell to 6–6 after an upset loss to the Kansas City chiefs. Oakland then went on a three-game winning streak that featured a 14–10 defensive struggle in Denver, a comeback win in New Orleans after trailing 35–14 in the 3rd quarter, and a 19–14 win over the Cleveland Browns. In the season finale the Raiders stood at 9–6 in need of a win at home against the Seattle Seahawks to have a shot at a wildcard playoff spot. However, it was not to be, and Seattle quarterback Jim Zorn's 314 yards and 2 TD passes eliminated the Raiders, 29–24.

This was the first season since 1964 that the Raiders finished lower than second place in the AFL/AFC West.

Offseason[]

Draft[]

Round	Pick	Player	Position	College
1979 Oakland Raiders draft
2	42	Willie Jones	DE	Florida State
6	142	Ira Matthews	RB	Wisconsin
6	156	Henry Williams	DB	San Diego State
7	175	Jack Matia	DT	Drake
8	209	Robert Hawkins	RB	Kentucky
9	238	Jim Rourke	OT	Boston College
10	259	Ricky Smith	DB	Tulane
11	294	Bruce Davis	OT	UCLA
12	316	Dirk Abernathy	DB	Bowling Green
12	320	Reggie Kinlaw	DT	Oklahoma
Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

^[2]

Roster[]

**1979 Oakland Raiders roster**

	Quarterbacks 11 David Humm 16 Jim Plunkett 12 Ken Stabler Running backs 26 Clarence Hawkins 31 Derrick Jensen 43 Ira Matthews 34 Booker Russell 30 Mark van Eeghen FB 22 Arthur Whittington Wide receivers 21 Cliff Branch 82 Larry Brunson 89 Rich Martini 80 Tight ends 87 Dave Casper 88 Raymond Chester 46 Todd Christensen 84 Derrick Ramsey		Offensive linemen 50 Dave Dalby C 79 Bruce Davis T 70 Henry Lawrence T 65 Mickey Marvin G 78 Art Shell T 66 Steve Sylvester G 63 Gene Upshaw G 75 John Vella T Defensive linemen 68 Joe Bell DE 73 Dave Browning DE 90 Willie Jones DE 62 Reggie Kinlaw DT 72 John Matuszak DE 74 Dave Pear DT 67 Pat Toomay DE		Linebackers 83 Ted Hendricks 57 John Huddleston 58 Monte Johnson 53 Rod Martin 41 Phil Villapiano Defensive backs 38 Rufus Bess CB 36 Mike Davis SS 37 Lester Hayes CB 42 Monte Jackson 47 Charlie Phillips SS 32 Jack Tatum FS 45 Henry Williams CB Special teams 5 Jim Breech K 8 Ray Guy P		Reserve lists 81 Morris Bradshaw WR (IR) -- Alva Liles DT (IR) -- Jim Rourke T (IR) Practice squad Rookies in italics

Schedule[]

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Recap
1	September 2	at Los Angeles Rams	W 24–17	1–0	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	Recap
2	September 9	San Diego Chargers	L 10–30	1–1	San Diego Stadium	Recap
3	September 16	Seattle Seahawks	L 10–27	1–2	Kingdome	Recap
4	September 23	Kansas City Chiefs	L 7–35	1–3	Arrowhead Stadium	Recap
5	September 30	Denver Broncos	W 27–3	2–3	Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum	Recap
6	October 8	Miami Dolphins	W 13–3	3–3	Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum	Recap
7	October 14	Atlanta Falcons	W 50–19	4–3	Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum	Recap
8	October 21	New York Jets	L 19–28	4–4	Shea Stadium	Recap
9	October 25	San Diego Chargers	W 45–22	5–4	Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum	Recap
10	November 4	San Francisco 49ers	W 23–10	6–4	Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum	Recap
11	November 11	Houston Oilers	L 17–31	6–5	Astrodome	Recap
12	November 18	Kansas City Chiefs	L 21–24	6–6	Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum	Recap
13	November 25	Denver Broncos	W 14–10	7–6	Mile High Stadium	Recap
14	December 3	New Orleans Saints	W 42–35	8–6	Louisiana Superdome	Recap
15	December 9	Cleveland Browns	W 19–14	9–6	Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum	Recap
16	December 16	Seattle Seahawks	L 24–29	9–7	Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum	Recap

Season summary[]

Week 1[]

^[3]

Week 2[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Raiders	0	3	7	0	10
• Chargers	14	7	2	7	30

Date: September 9
Location: San Diego Stadium

Week 3[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Raiders	0	0	7	3	10
• Seahawks	7	3	10	7	27

Date: September 16
Location: Kingdome
Game weather: Indoors (dome)
Referee: Gordon McCarter
TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert and Mike Haffner

Week 4[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Raiders	0	0	0	7	7
• Chiefs	14	0	7	14	35

Date: September 23
Location: Arrowhead Stadium

Week 5[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	3	0	0	3
• Raiders	7	7	0	13	27

Date: September 30
Location: Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California
Game start: 4:00 p.m.
Game weather: 64 °F; wind 8

^[4]

Week 6[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Dolphins	0	0	3	0	3
• Raiders	0	0	13	0	13

Date: October 8
Location: Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California
Game start: 9:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: 63 °F; wind 12
Referee: Dick Jorgensen
TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford and Don Meredith

^[5]

Week 7[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Falcons	0	0	12	7	19
• Raiders	10	9	10	21	50

Date: October 14
Location: Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California
Game start: 4:00 p.m.
Game attendance: 52,900
Game weather: 68 °F; wind 9

^[6]

Week 8[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Raiders	0	10	3	6	19
• Jets	7	0	7	14	28

Date: October 21
Location: Shea Stadium

Week 9[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	6	16	0	22
• Raiders	14	10	7	14	45

Date: October 25
Location: Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California
Game start: 6:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: 66 °F, wind 17 mph
Referee: Ben Dreith
Television network: ABC

Source: Pro-Football-Reference.com

Week 10[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	0	10	0	0	10
• Raiders	9	7	7	0	23

Date: November 4
Location: Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California
Game start: 4:00 p.m.
Game weather: 59 °F; wind 9
Referee: Chuck Heberling
TV announcers (CBS): Bob Costas, Roman Gabriel

^[7]

Week 11[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Raiders	7	7	0	3	17
• Oilers	7	7	14	3	31

Date: November 11
Location: Astrodome

Week 12[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
• Chiefs	7	3	14	0	24
Raiders	0	7	7	7	21

Date: November 18
Location: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Week 13[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
• Raiders	0	7	7	0	14
Broncos	0	0	0	10	10

Date: November 25
Location: Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado
Game start: 4:00 p.m.
Game weather: 36 °F; wind 13

^[8]

Week 14[]

Week Fourteen: Oakland Raiders (7–6) at New Orleans Saints (7–6)

	1	2	3	4	Total
Raiders	7	7	7	21	42
Saints	0	28	7	0	35

at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Date: December 3, 1979
Game time: 8:00 p.m.
Game weather: Indoors (dome)
Game attendance: 71,323
Referee: Bob Frederic
TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, and Howard Cosell
Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter

OAK – Raymond Chester 3-yard pass from Ken Stabler (Jim Breech kick). – Raiders 7–0. Drive: 15 plays, 78 yards.

Second quarter

NO – Tony Galbreath 2-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). – Tie 7–7. Drive: 13 plays, 89 yards.
NO – Tony Galbreath 17-yard pass from Archie Manning (Garo Yepremian kick). – Saints 14–7. Drive: 3 plays, 19 yards.
NO – Chuck Muncie 1-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). – Saints 21–7. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards.
NO – Henry Childs 28-yard pass from Archie Manning (Garo Yepremian kick). – Saints 28–7. Drive: 1 play, 28 yards.
OAK – Arthur Whittington 1-yard run (Jim Breech kick). – Saints 28–14. Drive:

Third quarter

NO – Ken Bordelon 19-yard interception return (Garo Yepremian kick), 6:24. – Saints 35–14.
OAK – Mark van Eeghen 1-yard run (Jim Breech kick). – Saints 35–21. Drive:

Fourth quarter

OAK – Derrick Ramsey 17-yard pass from Ken Stabler (Jim Breech kick). – Saints 35–28. Drive:
OAK – Cliff Branch 66-yard pass from Ken Stabler (Jim Breech kick). – Tie 35–35. Drive:
OAK – Cliff Branch 8-yard pass from Ken Stabler (Jim Breech kick), 1:54. – Raiders 42–35. Drive: 3 plays, 13 yards.

Top passers

OAK – Ken Stabler – 26/44, 295 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
NO – Archie Manning – 12/23, 154 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

OAK – Arthur Whittington – 14 rushes, 67 yards, TD
NO – Chuck Muncie – 21 rushes, 128 yards, TD

Top receivers

OAK – Cliff Branch – 7 receptions, 126 yards, 2 TD
NO – Tony Galbreath – 7 receptions, 106 yards, TD

Week 15[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
Browns	0	0	7	7	14
• Raiders	7	6	0	6	19

Date: December 9
Location: Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California
Game start: 4:00 p.m.
Game weather: 54 °F; wind 6

^[9]

Week 16[]

	1	2	3	4	Total
• Seahawks	10	7	9	3	29
Raiders	7	10	0	7	24

Date: December 16
Location: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Standings[]

AFC West
view talk	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
San Diego Chargers⁽¹⁾	12	4	0	.750	6–2	9–3	411	246	W2
Denver Broncos⁽⁵⁾	10	6	0	.625	4–4	7–5	289	262	L2
Seattle Seahawks	9	7	0	.563	3–5	6–6	378	372	W2
Oakland Raiders	9	7	0	.563	3–5	5–7	365	337	L1
Kansas City Chiefs	7	9	0	.438	4–4	7–7	238	262	L1

References[]

^ "1979 Oakland Raiders Statistics & Players - Pro-Football-Reference.com".
^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2015-Dec-16.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Sep-12.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Sep-22.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Sep-23.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Sep-24.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Sep-25.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Sep-26.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Sep-26.

[1] "1979 Oakland Raiders Statistics & Players - Pro-Football-Reference.com".

[2] The Football Database. Retrieved 2015-Dec-16.

[3] Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Sep-12.

[4] Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Sep-22.

[5] Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Sep-23.

[6] Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Sep-24.

[7] Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Sep-25.

[8] Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Sep-26.

[9] Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Sep-26.

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v t Las Vegas Raiders
Founded in 1960 Played in Oakland, California (1960–1981, 1995–2019) and Los Angeles (1982–1994) Based in Paradise, Nevada Headquartered in Henderson, Nevada
Franchise	History in Oakland in Los Angeles relocation to Las Vegas Seasons Players First-round draft picks Starting quarterbacks Head coaches
Stadiums	Kezar Stadium Candlestick Park Frank Youell Field Oakland Coliseum Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Allegiant Stadium
Key personnel	Owner/CEO: Mark Davis President: General manager: Mike Mayock Head coach: Rich Bisaccia (interim)
Culture	Las Vegas Raiderettes Raider Nation "The Autumn Wind" Mount Davis Ricky's Sports Theatre and Grill Straight Outta L.A. In the House
Lore	Heidi Game Immaculate Reception The Sea of Hands Ghost to the Post Holy Roller Red Right 88 Tuck Rule Game
Rivalries	Denver Broncos Kansas City Chiefs Los Angeles Chargers Miami Dolphins Pittsburgh Steelers San Francisco 49ers
Media	Broadcasters Television: KVVU KRON KTLA Radio: KRLV (AM) KOMP (FM) KSRO KLAA KENO (Spanish) Other: Compass Media Networks Personalities: Bill King Greg Papa J. T. the Brick Brent Musburger
Wild card berths (6)	1977 1980 1984 1991 1993 2016
Division championships (15)	1967 1968 1969 1970 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1983 1985 1990 2000 2001 2002
Conference championships (4)	1976 1980 1983 2002
League championships (4)	1967 1976 (XI) 1980 (XV) 1983 (XVIII)
Current league affiliations	League: National Football League (1970–present) Conference: American Football Conference Division: West Division
Former league affiliation	League: American Football League (1960–1969)

v t Las Vegas Raiders seasons
Played in Oakland (1960–1981, 1995–2019) and Los Angeles (1982–1994)
1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Bold indicates AFL Championship (1960–1965) or Super Bowl (1966–present) victory Italics indicates AFL Championship (1966–1969) and/or Super Bowl (1966–present) appearance