NFL Americas Game: Raiders

Under the leadership of Al Davis, the Oakland Raiders were one of the dominant NFL teams from the mid-60's, throughout the 70's and even into the early 80's. In 1976, the Raiders won a team record 13 games, defeated the Patriots and Steelers in the playoffs and reached the summit of professional football with their victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI.. Nobody loves reclamation projects more than Davis. Former Heisman Trophy winner, Jim Plunkett was cast out of New England and released by San Francisco before arriving in Oakland in 1978. In week 6 of the 1980 season, Head Coach, Tom Flores, gave Plunkett his chance. With an MVP performance, Plunkett rewarded his team's confidence in him by leading the Raiders to victory in Super Bowl XV. Led by Flores, the 1983 Raiders entered Super Bowl XVIII as underdogs to the highest scoring team in the NFL, the Washington Redskins. But the Raiders held that offense to just 9 points and manhandled the Redskins 38-9 to win their third Vince Lombardi Trophy. The story of the 1976 Raiders is told by Hall of Fame Head Coach, John Madden, Quarterback Ken Stabler and Linebacker Phil Villapiano. Plunkett, Linebacker Matt Millen and Hall of Fame Guard, Gene Upshaw recount the Raiders season of 1980. And the Raiders championship season of 1983 is retold by Hall of Fame Running Back, Marcus Allen, Tight End Todd Christenson and Defensive Tackle Howie Long, another Hall of Famer.