The passing of NFL legend John Madden elicited much deserved adoration and appreciation from the football universe. His decades as a broadcaster and video game icon endeared him to generations of young athletes and fans. Perhaps obscured by the memories of the last 40 years is his exemplary decade as head coach of the Las Vegas (then Oakland) Raiders. His persona was huge, his post-coaching career legendary. But his record at the helm of the Raiders was exceptional. Here are his five greatest moments:
No. 5: 1973 AFC Divisional Playoff -- After the "Immaculate Reception" in 1972, the Raiders were furious. They felt an opportunity for a Super Bowl was robbed from them. They got partial payback the following year. The Pittsburgh Steelers came to Oakland and were hammered the following year, 33-14. The Raiders piled up 360 yards on the Steel Curtain defense, as they were gashed for 230 yards on the ground. Madden had toppled his nemesis, but the joy was short-lived. The following week, the Raiders would get pounded by the reigning champion Miami Dolphins, 27-10, at the Orange Bowl. Madden's team was tabbed as "next year's champions," as a backhanded compliment.
No. 4: 1977 AFC Divisional -- Known best as the "Ghost to the Post," the Raiders were defending their Super Bowl championship. As had become custom under Madden, the Raiders were involved in one of the zaniest games in playoff history. In a back and forth classic at Baltimore's dusty Memorial Stadium, the Raiders outlasted the Colts, 37-21, in double overtime. The "ghost" was tight end Dave Casper, the "post" was the pattern run to set up the game-tying field goal. With just seconds to play, Ken Stabler hit Casper on a 42-yard bomb as the receiver bobbed and weaved, trying to find it over his shoulder. He came down with it, Oakland tied the game, and then silenced the raucous Baltimore crowd. The defending champs had one final flourish before losing the next week in Denver. Madden's group refused to wilt. It was perhaps the last great team in Baltimore Colts history, as five years later, they moved to Indianapolis. Memorial Stadium fell silent on Sundays, and so did the Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders moved to Los Angeles. In short order, the 1977 clash featured only ghosts.
No. 3: 1974 AFC Divisional -- Best known as "The Sea of Hands" game, this could be the weirdest playoff game of the decade. The play itself has been considered one of the greatest in NFL history. The Dolphins were coming off three consecutive AFC championships and back-to-back Super Bowl titles. Miami's last loss in the AFC playoffs was December 27, 1970 -- a wild card loss in Oakland. Nearly four years later, it happened again. Trailing 26-21, Stabler was being dragged down and lunged forward to push a pass into the end zone. Impossibly, his receiver, Clarence Davis -- draped by three Dolphins defenders -- somehow came down with the ball. It ended Miami's dreams of a fourth straight Super Bowl and slammed the door on their run of dominance. It would be nearly a decade before the Dolphins returned to the Super Bowl, and 1973 is still the last championship in franchise history. Madden handed legendary coach Don Shula one of his most crushing defeats.
No. 2: 1976 AFC Championship Game -- The "Immaculate Reception" in 1972 gutted the Raiders. The AFC title game losses in 1974 and 1975 infuriated them. Oakland had met Pittsburgh in the playoffs the previous four years and had lost three times. But, 1976 would be different. The Raiders had their best team, and the two-time reigning champion Steelers were ravaged by injuries, including their starting running backs Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier. In sweet revenge, the Raiders pummeled the Steelers, 24-7. Pittsburgh rushed for only 72 yards and couldn't move the ball all day. Madden had finally broken through the Steelers' grip, Oakland had their vengeance and a spot in the Super Bowl.
No. 1: Super Bowl 11 -- The crowning achievement of Madden's career was also the finest team in franchise history. The best regular season in Raiders history (13-1) included the emotional defeat of the hated Steelers in the AFC title game. In their first Super Bowl championship, the Raiders completely outmuscled their opposition. The Minnesota Vikings were no match for the power and speed of Oakland. On a picturesque day at the Rose Bowl, the Raiders crushed Minnesota, 32-14, finishing 16-1. Madden was hoisted onto his players' shoulders as he left the field, as legendary broadcaster Bill King observed, "He's smiling ear to ear. He looks like a slick watermelon!"