1983 Los Angeles Raiders season

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1983 Los Angeles Raiders season
OwnerAl Davis
Head coachTom Flores
General managerAl Davis
Home fieldLos Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Local radioKRLA–AM 1110
Results
Record12–4
Division place1st AFC West
Playoff finishWon Divisional Playoffs (vs. Steelers) 38–10
Won AFC Championship (vs. Seahawks) 30–14
Won Super Bowl XVIII (vs. Redskins) 38–9
Pro Bowlers
AP All-Pros
  • ← 1982
  • Raiders seasons
  • 1984 →
Allen (center) led the Raiders to a championship in Super Bowl XVIII and earned MVP honors as he rushed for a record of 191 yards, including a memorable 74-yard touchdown run.[3]

The 1983 Los Angeles Raiders season was the franchise's 24th season overall, and the franchise's 14th season in the National Football League. The team began by attempting to improve on their 8–1 record from 1982. The 1983 season was the second season in Los Angeles. The 1983 season is also the Raiders third Super Bowl winning season, and is the team's most recent NFL championship season. The 1983 Raiders remain the only NFL team to win the Super Bowl while based in Los Angeles.

NFL Films titled the season highlights of the 1983 Los Angeles Raiders, Just Win, Baby!, narrated by John Facenda, and on November 24, 2006, NFL Network aired America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions, the 1983 Los Angeles Raiders, ranking them #20, with team commentary from Marcus Allen, Todd Christensen and Howie Long, and narrated by Alec Baldwin.

Offseason[]

NFL Draft[]

During the draft the Raiders had attempted to execute a 3-team trade that would have brought future Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway to Los Angeles, but this trade was blocked, and Elway was instead drafted by the Colts, for whom he refused to play, then traded to the Broncos.[4]

1983 Los Angeles Raiders draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 26 Don Mosebar *  C USC
2 54 Bill Pickel  NT Rutgers
3 82 Tony Caldwell  LB Washington
4 110 Greg Townsend *  DE Texas Christian
5 138 Dokie Williams  WR UCLA
7 194 Jeff McCall  RB Clemson
8 222 Mike Dotterer  RB Stanford
9 249 Kent Jordan  TE St. Mary's
10 277 Mervyn Fernandez  WR San Jose State
12 333 Scott Lindquist  QB Northern Arizona
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

[5]

Staff[]

1983 Los Angeles Raiders staff
Front office
  • Owner – Al Davis
  • general manager – Al Davis

Head coaches

  • Head Coach – Tom Flores

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

Personnel[]

Roster[]

1983 Los Angeles Raiders final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams



Rookies in italic

Preseason[]

Schedule[]

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance NFL.com
recap
1 August 6 San Francisco 49ers W 26–23 (OT) 1–0 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 41,337 Recap
2 August 13 at New York Jets L 17–20 1–1 Giants Stadium 43,392 Recap
3 August 20 Chicago Bears L 21–27 1–2 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 30,187 Recap
4 August 26 at Cleveland Browns L 17–20 1–3 Cleveland Stadium 61,844 Recap

Regular season[]

Schedule[]

Week Date Opponent Result Game site Attendance Time Network Network Radio
1 September 4, 1983 at Cincinnati Bengals W 20–10 Riverfront Stadium 50,956 10:00 am PDT NBC Mutual
2 September 11, 1983 Houston Oilers W 20–6 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 37,526 1:00 pm PDT NBC
3 September 19, 1983 Miami Dolphins W 27–14 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 57,796 6:00 pm PDT ABC CBS
4 September 25, 1983 at Denver Broncos W 22–7 Mile High Stadium 74,289 1:00 pm PDT NBC
5 October 2, 1983 at Washington Redskins L 35–37 RFK Stadium 54,106 10:00 am PDT NBC Mutual
6 October 9, 1983 Kansas City Chiefs W 21–20 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 40,492 1:00 pm PDT NBC
7 October 16, 1983 at Seattle Seahawks L 36–38 The Kingdome 60,967 1:00 pm PDT NBC
8 October 23, 1983 at Dallas Cowboys W 40–38 Texas Stadium 64,991 6:00 pm PDT ABC CBS
9 October 30, 1983 Seattle Seahawks L 21–34 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 49,708 1:00 pm PST NBC
10 November 6, 1983 at Kansas City Chiefs W 28–20 Arrowhead Stadium 75,497 10:00 am PST NBC
11 November 13, 1983 Denver Broncos W 22–20 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 51,945 1:00 pm PST NBC
12 November 20, 1983 at Buffalo Bills W 27–24 Rich Stadium 72,393 10:00 am PST NBC
13 November 27, 1983 New York Giants W 27–12 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 41,473 1:00 pm PST CBS Mutual
14 December 1, 1983 at San Diego Chargers W 42–10 Jack Murphy Stadium 47,760 6:00 pm PST ABC CBS
15 December 11, 1983 St. Louis Cardinals L 24–34 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 32,111 1:00 pm PST CBS
16 December 18, 1983 San Diego Chargers W 30–14 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 57,235 1:00 pm PST NBC

Notes:

a All times are PACIFIC time. (UTC–7 and UTC–8 starting October 30)

Regular Season Game Officials

Regular Season
Week Opponent Referee Umpire Head Linesman Line Judge Back Judge Side Judge Field Judge
1 at Cincinnati (12) Ben Dreith (10) Tom Myers (8) Dale Williams (53) Bill Reynolds (28) Don Wedge (79) Ed Ward (119) Ron Spitler
2 Houston (71) Bob Frederic (67) John Keck (17) Jerry Bergman (30) Dan Wilford (38) Bill Swanson (120) Gary Lane (gridiron football) (96) Don Hakes
3 Miami (43) Red Cashion (78) Art Demmas (63) Ligouri Hagerty (94) Vern Marshall (52) Ben Tompkins (97) Nate Jones (84) Bob Wortman
4 at Denver (60) Dick Jorgensen (50) Neil Gereb (108) Bob McLaughlin (41) Dick McKenzie (24) Roy Clymer (66) Dave Hawk (31) Dick Dolack
5 at Washington (40) Pat Haggerty (115) Hendi Ancich (85) Frank Glover (44) Walt Peters (92) Jim Poole (61) Dick Creed (18) Bob Lewis
6 Kansas City (9) Jerry Markbreit (57) Ed Fiffick (104) Dale Hamer (117) Ben Montgomery (25) Tom Kelleher (102) Merrill Douglas (91) Bill Stanley
7 at Seattle (32) Jim Tunney (68) John Leimbach (109) Sid Semon (3) Boyce Smith (73) Pat Knight (90) Gil Mace (23) Johnny Grier
8 at Dallas (14) Gene Barth (101) Bob Boylston (37) Burl Toler (54) Jack Johnson (98) Jimmy Rosser (112) Gerry Austin (34) Fritz Graf
9 Seattle (70) Jerry Seeman (20) Frank Sinkovitz (35) Leo Miles (15) Bama Glass (22) Paul Baetz (62) Duwayne Gandy (83) Bill O'Brien
10 at Kansas City (71) Bob Frederic (67) John Keck (17) Jerry Bergman (30) Dan Wilford (38) Bill Swanson (120) Gary Lane (96) Don Hakes
11 Denver (43) Red Cashion (78) Art Demmas (63) Ligouri Hagerty (94) Vern Marshall (52) Ben Tompkins (97) Nate Jones (84) Bob Wortman
12 at Buffalo (95) Bob McElwee (27) Al Conway (111) Earnie Frantz (56) Carver Shannon (5) Ray Douglas (80) Bob Rice (76) Ed Merrifield
13 N.Y. Giants (7) Fred Silva (19) Tommy Hensley (65) Norm Kragseth (59) Bob Beeks (21) Pete Liske (64) Dave Parry (77) Don Orr
14 at San Diego (60) Dick Jorgensen (50) Neil Gereb (108) Bob McLaughlin (41) Dick McKenzie (24) Roy Clymer (66) Dave Hawk (31) Dick Dolack
15 St. Louis (11) Fred Wyant (88) Dave Moss (36) Tony Veteri (4) Wilson Gosier (107) Jim Kearney (16) Royal Cathcart (116) Chuck McCallum
16 San Diego (32) Jim Tunney (68) John Leimbach (109) Sid Semon (3) Boyce Smith (73) Pat Knight (90) Gil Mace (23) Johnny Grier

Game summaries[]

Week 1[]

Week 1: Los Angeles Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals
1 2 34Total
Raiders (1-0) 7 10 0320
Bengals (0-1) 0 0 3710

at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati

  • Date: September 4, 1983
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. (ET)/10:00 a.m. (PT)
  • Game weather: 75 °F; relative humidity 67%; wind 9 mph
  • Game attendance: 50,956
  • Referee: Ben Dreith
  • TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert (play-by-play), John Brodie (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information

Week 2[]

Week 2: Houston Oilers at Los Angeles Raiders
1 2 34Total
Oilers (0-2) 0 3 306
Raiders (2-0) 6 7 0720

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

  • Date: September 11, 1983
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. (ET)/3:00 p.m. (CT)/1:00 p.m. (PT)
  • Game weather: 77 °F; relative humidity 59%; wind 7
  • Game attendance: 37,526
  • Referee: Bob Frederic
  • TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play-by-play), Jim Turner (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com

Week 3[]

Week 3: Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Raiders
1 2 34Total
Dolphins (2-1) 0 0 01414
Raiders (3-0) 7 6 7727

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

  • Date: September 19, 1983
  • Game time: 9:00 p.m. (ET)/6:00 p.m. (PT)
  • Game weather: 74 °F; relative humidity 73%; wind 7
  • Game attendance: 57,796
  • Referee: Red Cashion
  • TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play-by-play), Howard Cosell & O. J. Simpson (color commentators)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information

Week 4[]

Week 4: Los Angeles Raiders at Denver Broncos
1 2 34Total
Raiders (4-0) 0 7 13222
Broncos (2-2) 0 0 077

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

  • Date: September 25, 1983
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. (ET)/2:00 p.m. (MT)/1:00 p.m. (PT)
  • Game weather: 64 °F; relative humidity 44%; wind 8
  • Game attendance: 57,796
  • Referee: Dick Jorgensen
  • TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert (play-by-play), John Brodie (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information

Week 5[]

Week 5: Los Angeles Raiders at Washington Redskins
1 2 34Total
Raiders (4-1) 0 7 141435
Redskins (4-1) 7 10 31737

at RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.

  • Date: October 2, 1983
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. (ET)/10:00 a.m. (PT)
  • Game weather: 65 °F; relative humidity 81%; wind 4
  • Game attendance: 54,106
  • Referee: Pat Haggerty
  • TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert (play-by-play), John Brodie (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information

Week 6[]

Week 6: Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Raiders
1 2 34Total
Chiefs (2-4) 14 3 0320
Raiders (5-1) 0 7 7721

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

  • Date: October 9, 1983
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. (ET)/3:00 p.m. (CT)/1:00 p.m. (PT)
  • Game weather: 68 °F; relative humidity 75%; wind 9
  • Game attendance: 40,492
  • Referee: Jerry Markbreit
  • TV announcers (KCTV): Don Fortune (play-by-play), Len Dawson (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com

Week 7[]

Week 7: Los Angeles Raiders at Seattle Seahawks
1 2 34Total
Raiders (5-2) 7 10 51436
Seahawks (4-3) 7 0 171438

at The Kingdome, Seattle

  • Date: October 16, 1983
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. (ET)/1:00 p.m. (PT)
  • Game weather: 72 °F, no wind
  • Game attendance: 60,967
  • Referee: Jim Tunney
  • TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert (play-by-play), John Brodie (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com

Week 8[]

Week 8: Los Angeles Raiders at Dallas Cowboys
1 2 34Total
Raiders (6-2) 10 21 3640
Cowboys (7-1) 7 17 01438

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

  • Date: October 23, 1983
  • Game time: 9:00 p.m. (ET)/8:00 p.m. (CT)/6:00 p.m. (PT)
  • Game weather: 58 °F, relative humidity 68%, wind 9 mph
  • Game attendance: 64,991
  • Referee: Gene Barth
  • TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play-by-play), Don Meredith & O. J. Simpson (color commentators)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com

Week 9[]

Week 9: Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Raiders
1 2 34Total
Seahawks (5-4) 0 17 71034
Raiders (6-3) 0 7 7721

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

  • Date: October 30, 1983
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. (ET)/1:00 p.m. (PT)
  • Game weather: 68 °F, relative humidity 76%, wind 7 mph
  • Game attendance: 49,708
  • Referee: Jerry Seeman
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play-by-play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com

Week 10[]

Week 10: Los Angeles Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
1 2 34Total
Raiders (7-3) 7 0 02128
Chiefs (4-6) 0 6 7720

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: November 6, 1983
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. (ET)/12 Noon (CT)/10:00 a.m. (PT)
  • Game weather: 53 °F, relative humidity 88%, wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 75,497
  • Referee: Bob Frederic
  • TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play-by-play), Bob Griese (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information

Week 11[]

Week 11: Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Raiders
1 2 34Total
Broncos (6-5) 10 0 01020
Raiders (8-3) 0 6 7922

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

  • Date: November 13, 1983
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. (ET)/2:00 p.m. (MT)/1:00 p.m. (PT)
  • Game weather: 63 °F, relative humidity 78%, wind 9 mph
  • Game attendance: 51,945
  • Referee: Red Cashion
  • TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play-by-play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com

Week 12[]

Week 12: Los Angeles Raiders at Buffalo Bills
1 2 34Total
Raiders (9-3) 7 3 71027
Bills (7-5) 0 3 02124

at Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: November 20, 1983
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. (ET)/10:00 a.m. (PT)
  • Game weather: 52 °F, relative humidity 70%, wind 12 mph
  • Game attendance: 72,393
  • Referee: Bob McElwee
  • TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play-by-play), Gene Washington (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information

Week 13[]

Week 13: New York Giants at Los Angeles Raiders
1 2 34Total
Giants (3-9-1) 2 3 0712
Raiders (10-3) 0 13 7727

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

  • Date: November 27, 1983
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. (ET)/1:00 p.m. (PT)
  • Game weather: 54 °F, relative humidity 41%, wind 7 mph
  • Game attendance: 41,473
  • Referee: Fred Silva
  • TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall (play-by-play), John Madden (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information

Week 14[]

Week 14: Los Angeles Raiders at San Diego Chargers
1 2 34Total
Raiders (11-3) 0 14 28042
Chargers (5-9) 7 3 0010

at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego

  • Date: December 1, 1983
  • Game time: 9:00 p.m. (ET)/6:00 p.m. (PT)
  • Game weather: 65 °F, relative humidity 64%, wind 12 mph
  • Game attendance: 47,760
  • Referee: Dick Jorgensen
  • TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play-by-play), Howard Cosell & O. J. Simpson (color commentators)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information

Week 15[]

Week 15: St. Louis Cardinals at Los Angeles Raiders
1 2 34Total
Cardinals (7-7-1) 0 20 7734
Raiders (11-4) 17 7 0024

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

Game information

Week 16[]

Week 16: San Diego Chargers at Los Angeles Raiders
1 2 34Total
Chargers (6-10) 7 0 7014
Raiders (12-4) 7 6 31430

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

  • Date: December 18, 1983
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. (ET)/1:00 p.m. (PT)
  • Game weather: 56 °F, relative humidity 75%, wind 6 mph
  • Game attendance: 57,235
  • Referee: Jim Tunney
  • TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert (play-by-play), Reggie Rucker (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information

Standings[]

Division[]

AFC West
  • view
  • talk
 W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Los Angeles Raiders(1) 12 4 0 .750 6–2 10–2 442 338 W1
Seattle Seahawks(4) 9 7 0 .563 5–3 8–4 403 397 W2
Denver Broncos(5) 9 7 0 .563 3–5 9–5 302 327 L1
San Diego Chargers 6 10 0 .375 4–4 4–8 358 462 L1
Kansas City Chiefs 6 10 0 .375 2–6 4–8 386 367 W1

Final statistics[]

Statistical comparison[]

Los Angeles Raiders Opponents
First downs 356 285
First downs rushing 143 86
First downs passing 181 170
First downs penalty 32 29
Third down efficiency / /
Fourth down efficiency / /
Net yards rushing 2240 1586
Rushing attempts 542 436
Yards per rush 4.1 3.6
Passing – Completions/attempts 301/504 282/531
Times sacked-total yards 55–464 57–
Interceptions thrown 24 20
Net yards passing 3446 3162
Total net yards 5686 4748
Punt returns-total yards 58–664 35–334
Kickoff returns-total yards 61–1175 68–1227
Interceptions-total return yards 20–238 24–381
Punts-average yardage 78–42.8 100–40.6
Fumbles-lost 46–25 31–16
Penalties-total yards 121–992 109–947
Time of possession 0:00 0:00
Turnovers 49 36

Individual leaders[]

Offense

Raiders Passing
C/ATT1 Yds TD INT
Jim Plunkett 230/379 2935 20 18
Marc Wilson 67/117 864 8 6
Marcus Allen 4/7 111 3 0
Greg Pruitt 0/1 0 0 0
Raiders Rushing
Car2 Yds TD LG3
Marcus Allen 266 1014 9 19
Frank Hawkins 110 526 6 32
Kenny King 82 294 1 16
Greg Pruitt 26 154 2 18
Marc Wilson 13 122 0 23
Jim Plunkett 26 78 0 20
Rick Berns 6 22 0 13
Cliff Branch 1 20 0 20
Malcolm Barnwell 1 12 0 12
Cleo Montgomery 2 7 0 5
Derrick Jensen 1 5 0 5
Chester Willis 5 0 0 4
David Humm 1 –1 0 –1
Ray Guy 2 –13 0 –3
Raiders Receiving
Rec4 Yds TD LG3
Todd Christensen 92 1247 12 45
Marcus Allen 68 590 2 36
Cliff Branch 39 696 5 99
Malcolm Barnwell 35 513 1 41
Frank Hawkins 20 150 2 28
Dokie Williams 14 259 3 50
Kenny King 14 149 1 34
Calvin Muhammad 13 252 2 45
Cleo Montgomery 2 29 0 15
Don Hasselbeck 2 17 2 13
Greg Pruitt 1 6 0 6
Derrick Jensen 1 2 1 2

1Completions/attempts 2Carries 3Long gain 4Receptions

Defense

Special Teams

Raiders Kicking
0–19 20–29 30–39 40–49 50+ FGM–FGA XPM–XPA
Chris Bahr 9–11 8–9 4–6 0–1 21–27 51–53
Raiders Punting
Pnt Yds Lng Blck
Ray Guy 78 3336 67 0
Raiders Kick Returns
Ret Yds TD Lng
Greg Pruitt 31 604 0 42
Cleo Montgomery 21 464 0 48
Dokie Williams 5 88 0 19
Matt Millen 2 19 0 10
Derrick Jensen 1 0 0 0
Rod Martin 1 0 0 0
Raiders Punt Returns
Ret Yds TD Lng
Greg Pruitt 58 666 1 97

Postseason[]

Schedule[]

Round Date Opponent Result Game site Attendance Time Network Network Radio
AFC Divisional Playoff January 1, 1984 Pittsburgh Steelers W 38–10 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 90,334 1:00 pm PST NBC CBS
AFC Championship Game January 8, 1984 Seattle Seahawks W 30–14 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 88,734 1:00 pm PST NBC CBS
Super Bowl XVIII January 22, 1984 Washington Redskins W 38–9 Tampa Stadium 72,920 1:30 pm PST CBS CBS

Notes:

a All times are PACIFIC time.

Playoff Game Officials

Playoff
Round Opponent Referee Umpire Head Linesman Line Judge Back Judge Side Judge Field Judge Alternate
AFC Divisional Playoff Pittsburgh (14) Gene Barth (78) Art Demmas (85) Frank Glover (39) Jack Fette (52) Ben Tompkins (80) Bob Rice (31) Dick Dolack
AFC Championship Game Seattle (60) Dick Jorgensen (101) Bob Boylston (35) Leo Miles (74) Ray Dodez (73) Pat Knight (58) Bill Quinby (23) Johnny Grier
Super Bowl XVIII Washington (14) Gene Barth (89) Gordon Wells (17) Jerry Bergman (59) Bob Beeks (52) Ben Tompkins (90) Gil Mace (34) Fritz Graf (32) Jim Tunney (Referee)
(57) Ed Fiffick (Umpire)

AFC Divisional Playoffs[]

AFC Divisional Playoffs: Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Raiders
1 2 34Total
Steelers (10-7) 3 0 7010
Raiders (13-4) 7 10 21038

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

  • Date: January 1, 1984
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. (ET)/1:00 p.m. (PT)
  • Game weather: 61 °F, relative humidity 64%, wind 6 mph (Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 90,334
  • Referee: Gene Barth
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play-by-play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator), Ahmad Rashād (sideline reporter)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information

The Raiders scored 3 touchdowns in the third quarter en route to a 38–10 win over the Steelers. In the first quarter, Pittsburgh advanced on a 78-yard drive, but when faced with fourth down and inches near the goal line, they opted for kicker Gary Anderson's 17-yard field goal. But the Raiders controlled the rest of the game, as Lester Hayes returned an interception 18 yards for a touchdown. A 4-yard touchdown by running back Marcus Allen and a 45-yard field goal gave the Raiders a 17–3 lead. The Raiders then scored three touchdowns in the third period, including Allen's 49-yard run. Allen finished the game with 121 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on just 13 carries, while also catching 5 passes for 38 yards. The Steelers' lone score in the second half was wide receiver John Stallworth's 58-yard touchdown reception.

AFC Championship Game[]

AFC Championship Game: Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Raiders
1 2 34Total
Seahawks (11-8) 0 0 7714
Raiders (14-4) 3 17 7330

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

  • Date: January 8, 1984
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. (ET)/1:00 p.m. (PT)
  • Game weather: 56 °F, relative humidity 81%, wind 8 mph (Overcast)
  • Game attendance: 88,734
  • Referee: Dick Jorgensen
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play-by-play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator), Ahmad Rashād (sideline reporter)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com

Seattle had defeated Los Angeles twice during the regular season, but this game had a very different outcome.

The Raiders jumped to a 20–0 halftime lead en route to a 30–14 victory. The Seahawks were held to 65 rushing yards while Raiders Running back Marcus Allen ran for 154 yards, caught 7 passes for 62 yards, and scored 2 touchdowns. Lester Hayes' interception on Seattle's first drive of the game set up a 20-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Raiders running back Frank Hawkins then scored two touchdowns. In the second half, Seahawks starting quarterback Dave Krieg was benched and replaced by Jim Zorn. Zorn threw two touchdown passes, but it was not enough as Allen's 3-yard touchdown reception and another Raiders field goal put the game away. Seahawks running back Curt Warner, the AFC's leading rusher during the regular season, was held to just 26 yards on 11 carries.

Super Bowl XVIII[]

Super Bowl XVIII: Washington Redskins vs. Los Angeles Raiders
1 2 34Total
Redskins (16-3) 0 3 609
Raiders (15-4) 7 14 14338

at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: January 22, 1984
  • Game time: 4:45 p.m. (ET)/1:45 p.m. (PT)
  • Game weather: 51 °F, relative humidity 63%, wind 16 mph (Partly cloudy)
  • Game attendance: 72,920
  • Referee: Gene Barth
  • TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall (play-by-play), John Madden (color commentator), Jim Hill (sideline reporter)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Marcus Allen rushes in Super Bowl XVIII.

Less than five minutes into the game, Derrick Jensen blocked Redskins Jeff Hayes punt and recovered the ball in the end zone to give the Raiders a 7–0 lead. On their ensuing drive, Washington was forced to punt, but Los Angeles punt returner Ted Watts muffed the kick and Washington safety Greg Williams recovered the ball at the Raiders 42-yard line. However, the Redskins could only advance to 27-yard line.

The Redskins regrouped in the second half, and scoring on their opening drive by marching 70 yards in 9 plays. First, Garrett returned the opening kickoff 35 yards from 5 yards deep in the end zone to the Washington 30-yard line. Then, Theismann completed a 23-yard pass to receiver Charlie Brown to the Raiders' 47-yard line. Eight plays later, fullback John Riggins finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. (Riggins became the second player to run for touchdowns in back-to-back Super Bowls. He had one in Super Bowl XVII en route to winning that game's Super Bowl MVP). Moseley's extra point attempt was blocked by Don Hasselbeck, but the Redskins had cut the score to 21–9 and were just 2 touchdowns away from taking the lead.

However, the Raiders completely took over the rest of the game, preventing any chance of a Washington comeback. On the ensuing drive, Washington defensive back Darrell Green was called for a 38-yard pass interference penalty while trying to cover Raiders receiver Malcolm Barnwell, setting up running back Marcus Allen's 5-yard touchdown run 7 plays later to make the score 28–9.

On the next Raiders possession, the last play of the third quarter, Plunkett handed the ball off to Allen, who started to run left. But then he saw a lot of defenders in front of him so he cut back to the middle and took off for a then Super Bowl record 74-yard touchdown run, increasing Los Angeles' lead to 35–9.

In the final period, the Raiders sacked Theismann 3 times, forcing him to fumble once, and intercepted a pass. Meanwhile, a 39-yard run from Allen set up a 21-yard field goal from kicker Chris Bahr to make the final score of the game 38–9.

[6]

Media[]

Radio
Flagship Station Play-by-play Color Commentator Studio Host
KRLA–AM 1110 Bill King Rich Marotta
Pre Season TV
Station Play-by-play Color Commentator Studio Host
KNBC–TV 4

References[]

  1. ^ "1983 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  2. ^ "1983 NFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  3. ^ Harvey, Harvey (2002). The Super Bowl's Most Wanted: The Top 10 Book of Big-Game Heroes, Pigskin Zeroes, and Championship Oddities (1st ed.). Brassey's, Inc. p. 123. ISBN 9781612340289.
  4. ^ Smith, Sam. "Raiders Longed for Elway". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  5. ^ "1983 NFL Draft at databaseFootball.com". Archived from the original on October 15, 2007.
  6. ^ 1983 Los Angeles Raiders season at databaseFootball.com Archived April 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
Retrieved from ""