Some notes about the '76 season. Pittsburgh started off 1-4, and then allowed a TOTAL of 28 points in its last 9 games, with 5 shutouts. Incredible! Still, the Steelers needed Cincinnati to lose a late game to get into the playoffs (only one wildcard back then). Who beat Cinci? Yep, the Raiders (when many said the Raiders would lose on purpose to avoid playing Pittsburgh again) Older Patriot fans are still bitter about the playoff game to the Raiders (Ben Dreith) but get over it.
That game in which the Raiders beat the Bengals tells you more than anything else what the Raiders were all about back then. Despite what you might have heard, the Raiders had integrity, and that more than anything else, showed it. Also, if they had not beaten the Bengals, they may have had to play them later. My theory has always been, if you get a chance to knock out a team before the playoffs, you'd better do it. The 2007 Dallas Mavericks are a prome example of this.
@JaydeeinCali Yes, in 1976 the Raiders had FIVE different bonafide linebackers (including Floyd Rice) to go along with devastating run defender John Matuzak (who was a devastating run defender even in his twilight years and 1976 was on of Matuzak's in-his-prime years). I think that might sill be one part of the 1976 Raiders team that has still been overlooked.
That's especially true considering he was one of the holdovers from the 1970s Raider teams that was on the 1980 squad that dominated the post-season, incliding their win over Philadelphia in Super Bowl XV. Along with guys like Ted Hendricks and Lester Hayes, who was drafted the year after their first Super Bowl win, Matuzak was one of the key defensive holdovers from the 70s team to the 80s teams with guys like Howie Long, Rod Martin, and Matt Millen.
@cjs3872 I hope no Cleveland Browns Cardiac Kids fans from 1980 read that about Raiders dominating 1980 postseason (actually I do hope, that's why I am bringing special attention to it; Ha-Ha). The mistake by the Lake and the Red Right 88 still lives in infamy.
Well, that's true, but that's the ONLY one of those four post-season games that the Raiders had any trouble at all in, and the weather may have been a big reason why. They completely dominated the other three games, scoring at least 27 points in each one, and allowed more than 14 points only against the Chargers, and they led 28-7 in that game at one point. The Browns only called that play because they were afraid that Ted Hendricks would block the winning FG attempt.
@cjs3872 ...not to mention Cleveland's kicker not having a good day that day anyway. As it turned out, Mad Stork helped pressure Brian Sipe into that INT. Of course, the next week late in the 3rd quarter when the Chargers had cut the lead to 28-24, Mad Stork grabbed Plunkett and told him,"You guys gotta score, we can't stop them". From there, Raiders slowly regained control.
Actually, from what I heard, the wind chill factor for that game in Cleveland was -36 degrees. Still, that wasn't anything compared to what the Chargers faced the following year in the AFC Championship Game across the state of Ohio in Cincinnati, where the wind chill was -59 degrees for a game that I still think should never have been played, considering it was a conference championship game. The same is true regarding the '67 NFL Championship Game in Gren Bay.
As I mentioned in a comments page on another one of my videos, L.C. Greenwood is, in my estimation, one of the 10-12 best players not in the Hall of Fame, and should've been in a long time ago, along with Jerry Kramer (G/GB), Dave Dalby (C/Raiders), Cliff Branch (WR/Raiders), Ray Guy (P/Raiders), Jim Marshall (DE/MIN), Drew Pearson (WR/DAL), Bob Kuechenberg (G-T/MIA). The biggest problem for both Greenwood and Kramer is the amount of teammates both have in the Hall.
Some notes about the '76 season. Pittsburgh started off 1-4, and then allowed a TOTAL of 28 points in its last 9 games, with 5 shutouts. Incredible! Still, the Steelers needed Cincinnati to lose a late game to get into the playoffs (only one wildcard back then). Who beat Cinci? Yep, the Raiders (when many said the Raiders would lose on purpose to avoid playing Pittsburgh again) Older Patriot fans are still bitter about the playoff game to the Raiders (Ben Dreith) but get over it.
JaydeeinCali 2 months ago
@JaydeeinCali
That game in which the Raiders beat the Bengals tells you more than anything else what the Raiders were all about back then. Despite what you might have heard, the Raiders had integrity, and that more than anything else, showed it. Also, if they had not beaten the Bengals, they may have had to play them later. My theory has always been, if you get a chance to knock out a team before the playoffs, you'd better do it. The 2007 Dallas Mavericks are a prome example of this.
cjs3872 2 months ago
@JaydeeinCali Yes, in 1976 the Raiders had FIVE different bonafide linebackers (including Floyd Rice) to go along with devastating run defender John Matuzak (who was a devastating run defender even in his twilight years and 1976 was on of Matuzak's in-his-prime years). I think that might sill be one part of the 1976 Raiders team that has still been overlooked.
plntntvzn 2 months ago
@plntntvzn
That's especially true considering he was one of the holdovers from the 1970s Raider teams that was on the 1980 squad that dominated the post-season, incliding their win over Philadelphia in Super Bowl XV. Along with guys like Ted Hendricks and Lester Hayes, who was drafted the year after their first Super Bowl win, Matuzak was one of the key defensive holdovers from the 70s team to the 80s teams with guys like Howie Long, Rod Martin, and Matt Millen.
cjs3872 2 months ago
@cjs3872 I hope no Cleveland Browns Cardiac Kids fans from 1980 read that about Raiders dominating 1980 postseason (actually I do hope, that's why I am bringing special attention to it; Ha-Ha). The mistake by the Lake and the Red Right 88 still lives in infamy.
plntntvzn 2 months ago
@plntntvzn
Well, that's true, but that's the ONLY one of those four post-season games that the Raiders had any trouble at all in, and the weather may have been a big reason why. They completely dominated the other three games, scoring at least 27 points in each one, and allowed more than 14 points only against the Chargers, and they led 28-7 in that game at one point. The Browns only called that play because they were afraid that Ted Hendricks would block the winning FG attempt.
cjs3872 2 months ago
@cjs3872 ...not to mention Cleveland's kicker not having a good day that day anyway. As it turned out, Mad Stork helped pressure Brian Sipe into that INT. Of course, the next week late in the 3rd quarter when the Chargers had cut the lead to 28-24, Mad Stork grabbed Plunkett and told him,"You guys gotta score, we can't stop them". From there, Raiders slowly regained control.
plntntvzn 2 months ago
@cjs3872
Windchill for the Raiders/Cleveland playoff game that season? Negative 20. Brrrrrr!!
JaydeeinCali 2 months ago
@JaydeeinCali
Actually, from what I heard, the wind chill factor for that game in Cleveland was -36 degrees. Still, that wasn't anything compared to what the Chargers faced the following year in the AFC Championship Game across the state of Ohio in Cincinnati, where the wind chill was -59 degrees for a game that I still think should never have been played, considering it was a conference championship game. The same is true regarding the '67 NFL Championship Game in Gren Bay.
cjs3872 2 months ago
@cjs3872
Cold enough!
Hey dude, I want to get your opinion about football in the 70s.
LC Greenwood Hall of Fame?
I say HECK YEA! Why is he not in it? No brainer!
Made the Pro Bowl every year 1973-1979. AP All 1970s team. A pillar of four Super Bowl champs. "Hollywood Bags!" But no HOF?
Do you agree withe me?
Yeah, football 1970s-early 1980s. Larger then life figures for a grade school boy in the Pacific Northwest. Love your videos.
JaydeeinCali 2 months ago
@JaydeeinCali
As I mentioned in a comments page on another one of my videos, L.C. Greenwood is, in my estimation, one of the 10-12 best players not in the Hall of Fame, and should've been in a long time ago, along with Jerry Kramer (G/GB), Dave Dalby (C/Raiders), Cliff Branch (WR/Raiders), Ray Guy (P/Raiders), Jim Marshall (DE/MIN), Drew Pearson (WR/DAL), Bob Kuechenberg (G-T/MIA). The biggest problem for both Greenwood and Kramer is the amount of teammates both have in the Hall.
cjs3872 2 months ago
@cjs3872
A good list.
Kramer (I recuse myself, I have a bias toward him because of where I/he grew up).
Dalby and Branch? A VERY respecful no HOL IMHO.
Guy? Interesting debate about a punter. FWIW, probably NO for me.
Marshall? Very tough call! Could go either way, but I give a YES.
Pearson? Very similiar career to Branch, Respectful N0
Kuechenberg? Yes HOL from me.
Again, I don't see LC as close, but whatever (he'll probably get in someday). Thanks for your reply!
JaydeeinCali 2 months ago