1983 Los Angeles Raiders season

1983 Los Angeles Raiders season
Head coach Tom Flores
General manager Al Davis
Owner Al Davis
Home field Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Results
Record 12–4
Division place 1st AFC West
Playoff finish Won Divisional Playoffs (Steelers) 38–10
Won Conference Championship (Seahawks) 30–14
Won Super Bowl XVIII (Redskins) 38–9
Pro Bowlers
AP All-Pros

The 1983 Los Angeles Raiders season began with the team trying 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. To date, it was the team's most recent NFL championship season. 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, whom he refused to play for, then traded to the Broncos.[3]

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 UCLA
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

[4]

Staff

1983 Los Angeles Raiders staff
Front office

Head coaches

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

 Reserve lists
  • Vacant


Rookies in italic

Pre season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Game site Attendance Time Network Local TV
1
August 6, 1983
San Francisco 49ers
W 26–23 (OT)
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
41,337
6:00 PM PDT
KNBC
2
August 13, 1983
at New York Jets
L 17–20
Giants Stadium
43,392
5:00 PM PDT
KNBC
3
August 20, 1983
Chicago Bears
L 21–27
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
30,187
6:00 PM PDT
KNBC
4
August 26, 1983
at Cleveland Browns
L 17–20
Cleveland Stadium
61,844
5:00 PM PDT
NBC

Notes:

a All times are PACIFIC time.

Pre Season Game Officials

Pre Season
Week
Opponent
Referee
Umpire
Head Linesman
Line Judge
Back Judge
Side Judge
Field Judge
1
San Francisco
2
at N.Y. Jets
3
Chicago
4
at Cleveland

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
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
2
Houston
(71) Bob Frederic
(67) John Keck
3
Miami
(43) Red Cashion
(78) Art Demmas
(63) Ligouri Hagerty
(94) Vern Marshall
4
at Denver
(60) Dick Jorgensen
(50) Neil Gereb
(31) Dick Dolack
5
at Washington
(40) Pat Haggerty
(115) Hendi Ancich
(85) Frank Glover
(44) Walt Peters
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
10
at Kansas City
(71) Bob Frederic
(67) John Keck
11
Denver
(43) Red Cashion
(78) Art Demmas
12
at Buffalo
(95) Bob McElwee
(27) Al Conway
(111) Earnie Frantz
(56) Carver Shannon
13
N.Y. Giants
(7) Fred Silva
(19) Tommy Hensley
(65) Norm Kragseth
(59) Bob Beeks
(64) Dave Parry
14
at San Diego
(60) Dick Jorgensen
(50) Neil Gereb
(31) Dick Dolack
15
St. Louis
(11) Fred Wyant
(4) Wilson Gosier
(107) Jim Kearney
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

Game information

First Quarter
  • LA (7:32) – Allen 1-yard run (Bahr kick) – Raiders 7–0
Second Quarter
  • LA (9:05) – Allen 1-yard run (Bahr kick) – Raiders 14–0
  • LA (4:59) – Bahr 38-yard field goal – Raiders 17–0
Third Quarter
  • CIN (9:23) – Breech 36-yard field goal – Raiders 17–3
Fourth Quarter
  • LA (12:25) – Bahr 39-yard field goal – Raiders 20–3
  • CIN (1:00) – Harris 9-yard pass from Anderson (Breech kick) – Raiders 20–10
Vegas Odds
  • Vegas Line=LA +2.0 (Won)
  • Over/Under=42.0 (Under)
Raiders
Bengals

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

Game information

First Quarter
  • LA – Hawkins 2-yard run (Bahr kick) – Raiders 7–0
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
  • LA – Townsend 66-yard fumble return (Bahr kick) – Raiders 20–0
Fourth Quarter
Vegas Odds
  • Vegas Line=LA -1.5 (Won)
  • Over/Under=39.5 (Over)
Dolphins
Raiders

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

Game information

First Quarter

No Score

Second Quarter
Third Quarter
  • LA – Bahr 27-yard field goal – Raiders 10–0
  • LA – Bahr 29-yard field goal – Raiders 13–0
  • LA – Branch 17-yard pass from Plunkett (Bahr kick) – Raiders 20–0
Fourth Quarter
  • DEN – Thomas 70-yard punt return (Karlis kick) – Raiders 20–7
  • LA – Safety, Townsend tackled DeBerg in end zone – Raiders 22–7
Vegas Odds
  • Vegas Line=LA -3.5 (Won)
  • Over/Under=34.0 (Under)
Raiders
Broncos

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.

Game information

First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
Vegas Odds
  • Vegas Line=LA +2.0 (Push)
  • Over/Under=38.5 (Over)
Raiders
Redskins

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

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

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

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

First Quarter
Second Quarter
  • KC – Lowery 54-yard field goal – Raiders 7–3
  • KC – Lowery 48-yard field goal – Raiders 7–6
Third Quarter
  • KC – Brown 1-yard run (Lowery kick) – Chiefs 13–7
Fourth Quarter
  • LA – Allen 1-yard run (Bahr kick) – Raiders 14–13
  • KC – Ken Thomas 2-yard pass from Kenney (Lowery kick) – Chiefs 20–14
  • LA – Williams 19-yard pass from Plunkett (Bahr kick) – Raiders 21–20
  • LA – Martin 40-yard interception return (Bahr kick) – Raiders 28–20
Vegas Odds
  • Vegas Line=LA -3.5 (Won)
  • Over/Under=45.0 (Over)
Raiders
Chiefs

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

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

Game information

First Quarter
  • LA – Hawkins 2-yard run (Bahr kick) – Raiders 7–0
Second Quarter
  • BUF – Danelo 48-yard field goal – Raiders 7–3
  • LA – Bahr 41-yard field goal – Raiders 10–3
Third Quarter
  • LA – Allen 4-yard run (Bahr kick) – Raiders 17–3
Fourth Quarter
Vegas Odds
  • Vegas Line=LA -2.0 (Won)
  • Over/Under=42.0 (Over)
Raiders
Bills

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

Game information

First Quarter
Second Quarter
  • LA – Hasselback 13-yard pass from Plunkett (Bahr kick) – Raiders 7–2
  • LA – Bahr 47-yard field goal – Raiders 10–2
  • NYG – Haji-Sheikh 31-yard field goal – Raiders 10–5
  • LA – Bahr 38-yard field goal – Raiders 13–5
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
Vegas Odds
  • Vegas Line=LA -10.0 (Won)
  • Over/Under=41.0 (Under)
Giants
Raiders

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

Game information

First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter

No Score
Vegas Odds
  • Vegas Line=LA -1.5 (Won)
  • Over/Under=54.0 (Under)
Raiders
Chargers

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

First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
Vegas Odds
  • Vegas Line=LA -9.0 (Lost)
  • Over/Under=47.5 (Over)
Cardinals
Raiders

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

Game information

First Quarter
Second Quarter
  • LA – Bahr 21-yard field goal – Raiders 10–7
  • LA – Bahr 32-yard field goal – Raiders 13–7
Third Quarter
  • LA – Bahr 28-yard field goal – Raiders 16–7
  • SD – Muncie 2-yard rush (Benirschke kick) – Raiders 16–14
Fourth Quarter
Vegas Odds
  • Vegas Line=LA -9.0 (Won)
  • Over/Under=53.5 (Under)
Chargers
Raiders

Standings

Division

AFC West
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 downs356285
First downs rushing14386
First downs passing181170
First downs penalty3229
Third down efficiency//
Fourth down efficiency//
Net yards rushing22401586
Rushing attempts542436
Yards per rush4.13.6
Passing – Completions/attempts301/504282/531
Times sacked-total yards55–46457–
Interceptions thrown2420
Net yards passing34463162
Total net yards56864748
Punt returns-total yards58–66435–334
Kickoff returns-total yards61–117568–1227
Interceptions-total return yards20–23824–381
Punts-average yardage78–42.8100–40.6
Fumbles-lost46–2531–16
Penalties-total yards121–992109–947
Time of possession0:000:00
Turnovers4936

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
(39) Jack Fette
(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

Game information

First Quarter
  • PIT – Anderson 17-yard field goal – Steelers 3–0
  • LA – Hayes 18-yard interception return (Bahr kick) – Raiders 7–3
Second Quarter
  • LA – Allen 4-yard run (Bahr kick) – Raiders 14–3
  • LA – Bahr 45-yard field goal – Raiders 17–3
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter

No Scoring
Vegas Odds
  • Vegas Line=LA -7.0 (Won)
  • Over/Under=43.0 (Over)
Steelers
Raiders

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

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

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.

[5]

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. ↑ http://www.csnbayarea.com/blog/paul-gutierrez/john-elwayraiders-qb
  4. ↑ "1983 NFL Draft at databaseFootball.com".
  5. ↑ 1983 Los Angeles Raiders season at databaseFootball.com
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