November 11, 2024 • 10 mins
Welcome to our podcast on Super Bowl 11, a game that marked a significant moment in NFL history and solidified the Oakland Raiders' place as one of the league's dominant teams of the nineteen seventies. This matchup between the Oakland Raiders and the Minnesota Vikings took place on January 9, 1977, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. As we delve into the details of this historic game, we'll explore the lead-up, the key players, the dramatic moments, and the lasting impact of what would become the Raiders' first Super Bowl victory. The 1976 NFL season was a year of redemption for the Oakland Raiders. After years of playoff disappointments, the Raiders had finally broken through to reach the Super Bowl. Led by head coach John Madden, the Raiders had built a team that combined veteran leadership with young talent, creating a formidable force on both sides of the ball. The Raiders finished the regular season with an impressive 13 and 1 record, the best in the NFL. Their offense was a well-oiled machine, featuring a balanced attack that could beat opponents through the air or on the ground. At the helm was quarterback Ken Stabler, known as "The Snake" for his ability to slither out of trouble and make plays. Stabler had a stellar season, throwing for 2,737 yards and 27 touchdowns. Stabler’s primary targets were wide receivers Cliff Branch and Fred Biletnikoff. Branch was a speed demon who could stretch the field, while Biletnikoff was a master of precise route-running and sure hands. Tight end Dave Casper, nicknamed "The Ghost" after the cartoon character Casper the Friendly Ghost, was another key weapon in the passing game. The Raiders' running game was anchored by the powerful Mark VanEeghen and the versatile Clarence Davis. This duo provided a perfect complement to the passing attack, keeping defenses honest and allowing Stabler to use play-action passes effectively. On defense, the Raiders boasted a unit known for its toughness and intimidation. The defensive line was led by John Matuszak and Otis Sistrunk, while the linebacking corps featured Phil Villapiano. The secondary, nicknamed "The Soul Patrol," was one of the best in the league, featuring Willie Brown, Skip Thomas, George Atkinson, and Jack Tatum. The Minnesota Vikings, meanwhile, were making their fourth Super Bowl appearance in eight years. Led by head coach Bud Grant, the Vikings had been one of the most consistent teams of the nineteen seventies, but had yet to capture a Super Bowl title. They finished the regular season with an 11, 2 and 1 record and were looking to finally break through and win the big game. The Vikings' offense was led by quarterback Fran Tarkenton, a future Hall of Famer known for his scrambling ability and improvisational skills. At 36 years old, Tarkenton was nearing the end of his career but still playing at a high level. His favorite targets were wide receivers Sammy White and Ahmad Rashad. The Vikings' running game was anchored by Chuck Foreman, one of the best all-purpose backs in the league. Foreman was a threat both as a runner and a receiver out of the backfield, providing a versatile weapon for the Vikings' offense. On defense, the Vikings still boasted their famous "Purple People Eaters" defensive line, although it was no longer in its prime. Alan Page and Carl Eller were still formidable pass rushers, while safety Paul Krause led the secondary. As game day approached, there was a sense of anticipation and excitement. The Raiders were slight favorites, but many expected a close, competitive game between two of the NFL's best teams. The game began with both teams feeling each other out. The Raiders received the opening kickoff but were forced to punt after a quick three-and-out. The Vikings' first possession showed promise, with Tarkenton completing a couple of passes to move the chains. However, the drive stalled, and Minnesota was forced to punt as well. The first score of the game came midway through the first quarter when Raiders kicker Errol Mann connected on a 24 yard field goal, giving Oakland a 3 to zero lead. This score was set up by a 35 yard pass from Stabler to Biletnikoff, showcasing the Raiders' big-play ability. The Vikings responded with a drive of their own, moving into Raiders territory. However, the Oakland defense stiffened, forcing Minnesota to attempt a 50 yard field goal. Fred Cox's attempt fell short, keeping the score 3 to zero in favor of the Raiders. As the second quarter began, the Raiders started to assert their dominance. Stabler led a methodical drive down the field, mixing short passes with runs from VanEeghen and Davis. The drive culminated in a 1 yard touchdown run by Dave Casper, extending the Raiders' lead to 10 to zero. The Vikings, feeling the pressure, tried to respond quickly. Tarkenton attempted to go deep to Sammy White, but Raiders cornerback Willie Brown made a spectacular leaping interception, giving Oakland the ball back in good field position. The Raiders capita
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to our podcast on Super Bowl eleven, a game
that marked a significant moment in NFL history and solidified
the Oakland Raiders place as one of the league's dominant
teams of the nineteen seventies. This matchup between the Oakland
Raiders and the Minnesota Vikings took place on January ninth,
nineteen seventy seven, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
(00:23):
As we delve into the details of this historic game,
we'll explore the lead up, the key players, the dramatic moments,
and the lasting impact of what would become the Raiders'
first Super Bowl victory. The nineteen seventy six NFL season
was a year of redemption for the Oakland Raiders. After
years of playoff disappointments, the Raiders had finally broken through
(00:43):
to reach the Super Bowl. Led by head coach John Madden,
the Raiders had built a team that combined veteran leadership
with young talent, creating a formidable force on both sides
of the ball. Their offense was a well oiled machine,
featuring a balanced attack that could beat opponents through the
air or on the ground. At the helm was quarterback
(01:06):
Ken Stabler, known as the Snake for his ability to
slither out of trouble and make plays. Stabler had a
stellar season. Stabler's primary targets were wide receivers Cliff Branch
and Fred Biletnikoff. Tight end Dave Casper, nicknamed the Ghost
after the cartoon character Casper, the Friendly Ghost, was another
key weapon in the passing game. The Raiders running game
(01:27):
was anchored by the powerful Mark van Egen and the
versatile Clarence Davis. This duo provided a perfect compliment to
the passing attack, keeping defenses honest and allowing Stabler to
use play action passes effectively. On defense, the Raiders boasted
a unit known for its toughness and intimidation. The defensive
line was led by John Mattisak and Otis Sistrunk, while
(01:50):
the linebacking corps featured Phil Villapiano. The secondary, nicknamed the
Soul Patrol, was one of the best in the league,
featuring Willie Brown, Skip, Thomas George Jakins, and Jack Tatum.
The Minnesota Vikings, meanwhile, were making their fourth Super Bowl
appearance in eight years. Led by head coach Bud Grant,
the Vikings had been one of the most consistent teams
(02:11):
of the nineteen seventies, but had yet to capture a
Super Bowl title. They finished the regular season with an
eleven to two to one record and were looking to
finally break through and win the big game. The Vikings
offense was led by quarterback fran Tarkenton, a future Hall
of Famer known for his scrambling ability and improvisational skills.
(02:34):
At thirty six years old, Tarkenton was nearing the end
of his career but still playing at a high level.
His favorite targets were wide receivers Sammy White and Ahmad Rashad.
The Vikings running game was anchored by Chuck Foreman, one
of the best all purpose backs in the league. Foreman
was a threat both as a runner and a receiver
(02:55):
out of the backfield, providing a versatile weapon for the
Vikings offense. On defense, event the Vikings still boasted their
famous Purple people Eater's defensive line, although it was no
longer in its prime. Alan Page and Carl Eller were
still formidable pass rushers, while safety Paul Kraus led the secondary.
As game day approached, there was a sense of anticipation
and excitement. The Raiders were slight favorites, but many expected
(03:19):
a close, competitive game between two of the NFL's best teams.
The game began with both teams feeling each other out.
The Raiders received the opening kickoff, but were forced to
punt after a quick three and out. The Viking's first
possession showed promise, with Tarkenton completing a couple of passes
to move the chains. However, the drive stalled and Minnesota
(03:41):
was forced to punt as well. The first score of
the game came midway through the first quarter, when Raiders
kicker Eryl Mann connected on a twenty four yard field goal,
giving Oakland a three to zero lead. This score was
set up by a thirty five yard pass from Stabler
to Beletnikoff, showcasing the Raiders' big playability. The Vikings responded
with a drive of their own, moving into Raiders territory. However,
(04:03):
the Oakland defense stiffened, forcing Minnesota to attempt a fifty
yard field goal. Fred Cox's attempt fell short, keeping the
score three to zero in favor of the Raiders. As
the second quarter began, the Raiders started to assert their dominance.
Stabler led a methodical drive down the field, mixing short
passes with runs from Van Egan and Davis. The drive
(04:25):
culminated in a one yard touchdown run by Dave Casper,
extending the Raiders' lead to ten to zero. The Vikings,
feeling the pressure, tried to respond quickly. Tarkenton attempted to
go deep to Sammy White, but Raiders cornerback Willie Brown
made a spectacular leaping interception, giving Oakland the ball back
in goodfield position. The Raiders capitalized on this turnover with
(04:47):
another Aarrowman field goal, pushing their lead to thirteen to zero.
As halftime approached, the Vikings managed to get on the
scoreboard with a forty yard field goal from Fred Cox,
making the score thirteen to three at the break. While
the Vikings had shown flashes of competitiveness, the Raiders experience
and execution were proving to be the difference. The third
(05:07):
quarter saw the Raiders continue to control the game. Stabler
led another impressive drive, showcasing his accuracy and decision making.
The drive was capped off by a ten yard touchdown
pass from Stabler to Fred Blennikoff, extending Oakland's lead to
nineteen to zero. The extra point was missed. The Vikings,
(05:27):
desperate to get back into the game, began to take
more Risks on offense. This aggressive approach backfired when Tarkanin's
pass was intercepted by Raiders linebacker Willie Hall, who returned
it to the Minnesota one yard line. On the next play,
Pete Banassak punched it in for a touchdown, making the
score twenty six zero and effectively putting the game out
of reach. Despite the large deficit, the Vikings continued to fight.
(05:52):
They managed to put together a drive that resulted in
an eight yard touchdown pass from Tarkenton to Sammy White
early in the fourth quarter. However, any hope of a
miraculous comeback was quickly extinguished when the Raiders responded with
another touchdown, this time a two yard run by Pete Banazak.
The final dramatic moment of the game came when Willie
(06:12):
Brown intercepted a target and pass and returned at seventy
five yards for a touchdown. This play, which saw the
thirty six year old Brown outrun the Vikings offense, became
one of the most iconic moments in Super Bowl history.
The final score was Oakland Raiders thirty two, Minnesota Vikings fourteen.
The Raiders had dominated every aspect of the game finally
(06:35):
capturing the Super Bowl title that had eluded them for
so long. Fred Beletnikoff was named the game's most valuable player.
While his statistics weren't overwhelming four receptions for seventy nine yards,
his clutch catches set up several Raiders' scores and were
crucial to their victory. Ken Stabler completed twelve of nineteen
passes for one hundred and eighty yards and a touchdown,
(06:59):
while Clarence Dave led all rushers with one hundred and
thirty seven yards on sixteen carries. For the Vikings, it
was another bitter disappointment in the Super Bowl. Fran tarkinin
completed seventeen of thirty five passes for two hundred five
yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Chuck Foreman was
held to just forty four yards on seventeen carries as
the Raiders defense shut down Minnesota's running game. Super Bowl
(07:23):
eleven was notable for several reasons beyond the final score.
It marked the Raiders' first Super Bowl victory, validating the
team that owner Al Davis had built and the coaching
of John Madden for players like Gene Upshaw and Fred Buletnikoff.
Who had been with the team through years of playoff disappointments.
It was the culmination of their careers. The game also
(07:45):
showcased the changing nature of professional football. The raiders vertical
passing game, combined with a power running attack represented the
evolution of NFL offenses. Their aggressive, intimidating defense, particularly the
sole patrol secondary, set a standard that many teams would
try to emulate in the years to come. For the Vikings,
(08:05):
the loss was a crushing blow. It was their fourth
Super Bowl defeat, and questions began to arise about their
ability to win the big Game. Despite their regular season
success and dominance in the NFC, they were unable to
capture the ultimate prize. As we look back on Super
Bowl eleven from our vantage point today, its significance in
the history of professional football is clear. It was the
(08:28):
coronation of the Oakland Raiders as one of the premier
franchises in the NFL, a showcase for one of the
most complete teams ever assembled, and a changing of the
guard as the Vikings dynasty came to an end without
a championship. The game serves as a reminder of the
unpredictable nature of sports. Despite all the analysis and predictions.
(08:50):
Once the players take the field, anything can happen. In conclusion,
super Bowl eleven stands as a pivotal moment in NFL history.
It was a game that showcase the talents of future
Hall of famers like Ken Stabler, Fred Boletnikoff, Gene Upshaw,
and fran Tarkenton. It demonstrated the importance of team building
(09:11):
and coaching, with John Madden's strategies proving superior on the day,
and it set the stage for the Raiders to become
one of the most successful and popular franchises of the
late nineteen seventies and early nineteen eighties. From Ken Stabler's
precise passing to the dominance of the Raiders offensive line,
from Fred Beleetnikoff's clutch catches to Willie Brown's iconic interception return,
(09:34):
super Bowl eleven provided moments that would be remembered and
discussed for decades to come. As we continue to watch
and enjoy Super Bowls today with their high powered offenses
and astronomical television ratings, it's worth remembering games like Super
Bowl eleven. They remind us of the NFL's evolution of
the grit and determination that have always been at the
(09:56):
heart of the sport and of the eternal truth that,
in football, as in life, perseverance and teamwork can overcome
past disappointments and lead to ultimate triumph. Thank you for
joining us on this journey back to Super Bowl eleven,
a game that proved that sometimes redemption is just a
season away, and that with the right combination of talent, coaching,
and determination, even the most painful losses can be transformed
(10:18):
into the sweetest victories.
Welcome to our podcast on Super Bowl eleven, a game
that marked a significant moment in NFL history and solidified
the Oakland Raiders place as one of the league's dominant
teams of the nineteen seventies. This matchup between the Oakland
Raiders and the Minnesota Vikings took place on January ninth,
nineteen seventy seven, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
(00:23):
As we delve into the details of this historic game,
we'll explore the lead up, the key players, the dramatic moments,
and the lasting impact of what would become the Raiders'
first Super Bowl victory. The nineteen seventy six NFL season
was a year of redemption for the Oakland Raiders. After
years of playoff disappointments, the Raiders had finally broken through
(00:43):
to reach the Super Bowl. Led by head coach John Madden,
the Raiders had built a team that combined veteran leadership
with young talent, creating a formidable force on both sides
of the ball. Their offense was a well oiled machine,
featuring a balanced attack that could beat opponents through the
air or on the ground. At the helm was quarterback
(01:06):
Ken Stabler, known as the Snake for his ability to
slither out of trouble and make plays. Stabler had a
stellar season. Stabler's primary targets were wide receivers Cliff Branch
and Fred Biletnikoff. Tight end Dave Casper, nicknamed the Ghost
after the cartoon character Casper, the Friendly Ghost, was another
key weapon in the passing game. The Raiders running game
(01:27):
was anchored by the powerful Mark van Egen and the
versatile Clarence Davis. This duo provided a perfect compliment to
the passing attack, keeping defenses honest and allowing Stabler to
use play action passes effectively. On defense, the Raiders boasted
a unit known for its toughness and intimidation. The defensive
line was led by John Mattisak and Otis Sistrunk, while
(01:50):
the linebacking corps featured Phil Villapiano. The secondary, nicknamed the
Soul Patrol, was one of the best in the league,
featuring Willie Brown, Skip, Thomas George Jakins, and Jack Tatum.
The Minnesota Vikings, meanwhile, were making their fourth Super Bowl
appearance in eight years. Led by head coach Bud Grant,
the Vikings had been one of the most consistent teams
(02:11):
of the nineteen seventies, but had yet to capture a
Super Bowl title. They finished the regular season with an
eleven to two to one record and were looking to
finally break through and win the big game. The Vikings
offense was led by quarterback fran Tarkenton, a future Hall
of Famer known for his scrambling ability and improvisational skills.
(02:34):
At thirty six years old, Tarkenton was nearing the end
of his career but still playing at a high level.
His favorite targets were wide receivers Sammy White and Ahmad Rashad.
The Vikings running game was anchored by Chuck Foreman, one
of the best all purpose backs in the league. Foreman
was a threat both as a runner and a receiver
(02:55):
out of the backfield, providing a versatile weapon for the
Vikings offense. On defense, event the Vikings still boasted their
famous Purple people Eater's defensive line, although it was no
longer in its prime. Alan Page and Carl Eller were
still formidable pass rushers, while safety Paul Kraus led the secondary.
As game day approached, there was a sense of anticipation
and excitement. The Raiders were slight favorites, but many expected
(03:19):
a close, competitive game between two of the NFL's best teams.
The game began with both teams feeling each other out.
The Raiders received the opening kickoff, but were forced to
punt after a quick three and out. The Viking's first
possession showed promise, with Tarkenton completing a couple of passes
to move the chains. However, the drive stalled and Minnesota
(03:41):
was forced to punt as well. The first score of
the game came midway through the first quarter, when Raiders
kicker Eryl Mann connected on a twenty four yard field goal,
giving Oakland a three to zero lead. This score was
set up by a thirty five yard pass from Stabler
to Beletnikoff, showcasing the Raiders' big playability. The Vikings responded
with a drive of their own, moving into Raiders territory. However,
(04:03):
the Oakland defense stiffened, forcing Minnesota to attempt a fifty
yard field goal. Fred Cox's attempt fell short, keeping the
score three to zero in favor of the Raiders. As
the second quarter began, the Raiders started to assert their dominance.
Stabler led a methodical drive down the field, mixing short
passes with runs from Van Egan and Davis. The drive
(04:25):
culminated in a one yard touchdown run by Dave Casper,
extending the Raiders' lead to ten to zero. The Vikings,
feeling the pressure, tried to respond quickly. Tarkenton attempted to
go deep to Sammy White, but Raiders cornerback Willie Brown
made a spectacular leaping interception, giving Oakland the ball back
in goodfield position. The Raiders capitalized on this turnover with
(04:47):
another Aarrowman field goal, pushing their lead to thirteen to zero.
As halftime approached, the Vikings managed to get on the
scoreboard with a forty yard field goal from Fred Cox,
making the score thirteen to three at the break. While
the Vikings had shown flashes of competitiveness, the Raiders experience
and execution were proving to be the difference. The third
(05:07):
quarter saw the Raiders continue to control the game. Stabler
led another impressive drive, showcasing his accuracy and decision making.
The drive was capped off by a ten yard touchdown
pass from Stabler to Fred Blennikoff, extending Oakland's lead to
nineteen to zero. The extra point was missed. The Vikings,
(05:27):
desperate to get back into the game, began to take
more Risks on offense. This aggressive approach backfired when Tarkanin's
pass was intercepted by Raiders linebacker Willie Hall, who returned
it to the Minnesota one yard line. On the next play,
Pete Banassak punched it in for a touchdown, making the
score twenty six zero and effectively putting the game out
of reach. Despite the large deficit, the Vikings continued to fight.
(05:52):
They managed to put together a drive that resulted in
an eight yard touchdown pass from Tarkenton to Sammy White
early in the fourth quarter. However, any hope of a
miraculous comeback was quickly extinguished when the Raiders responded with
another touchdown, this time a two yard run by Pete Banazak.
The final dramatic moment of the game came when Willie
(06:12):
Brown intercepted a target and pass and returned at seventy
five yards for a touchdown. This play, which saw the
thirty six year old Brown outrun the Vikings offense, became
one of the most iconic moments in Super Bowl history.
The final score was Oakland Raiders thirty two, Minnesota Vikings fourteen.
The Raiders had dominated every aspect of the game finally
(06:35):
capturing the Super Bowl title that had eluded them for
so long. Fred Beletnikoff was named the game's most valuable player.
While his statistics weren't overwhelming four receptions for seventy nine yards,
his clutch catches set up several Raiders' scores and were
crucial to their victory. Ken Stabler completed twelve of nineteen
passes for one hundred and eighty yards and a touchdown,
(06:59):
while Clarence Dave led all rushers with one hundred and
thirty seven yards on sixteen carries. For the Vikings, it
was another bitter disappointment in the Super Bowl. Fran tarkinin
completed seventeen of thirty five passes for two hundred five
yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Chuck Foreman was
held to just forty four yards on seventeen carries as
the Raiders defense shut down Minnesota's running game. Super Bowl
(07:23):
eleven was notable for several reasons beyond the final score.
It marked the Raiders' first Super Bowl victory, validating the
team that owner Al Davis had built and the coaching
of John Madden for players like Gene Upshaw and Fred Buletnikoff.
Who had been with the team through years of playoff disappointments.
It was the culmination of their careers. The game also
(07:45):
showcased the changing nature of professional football. The raiders vertical
passing game, combined with a power running attack represented the
evolution of NFL offenses. Their aggressive, intimidating defense, particularly the
sole patrol secondary, set a standard that many teams would
try to emulate in the years to come. For the Vikings,
(08:05):
the loss was a crushing blow. It was their fourth
Super Bowl defeat, and questions began to arise about their
ability to win the big Game. Despite their regular season
success and dominance in the NFC, they were unable to
capture the ultimate prize. As we look back on Super
Bowl eleven from our vantage point today, its significance in
the history of professional football is clear. It was the
(08:28):
coronation of the Oakland Raiders as one of the premier
franchises in the NFL, a showcase for one of the
most complete teams ever assembled, and a changing of the
guard as the Vikings dynasty came to an end without
a championship. The game serves as a reminder of the
unpredictable nature of sports. Despite all the analysis and predictions.
(08:50):
Once the players take the field, anything can happen. In conclusion,
super Bowl eleven stands as a pivotal moment in NFL history.
It was a game that showcase the talents of future
Hall of famers like Ken Stabler, Fred Boletnikoff, Gene Upshaw,
and fran Tarkenton. It demonstrated the importance of team building
(09:11):
and coaching, with John Madden's strategies proving superior on the day,
and it set the stage for the Raiders to become
one of the most successful and popular franchises of the
late nineteen seventies and early nineteen eighties. From Ken Stabler's
precise passing to the dominance of the Raiders offensive line,
from Fred Beleetnikoff's clutch catches to Willie Brown's iconic interception return,
(09:34):
super Bowl eleven provided moments that would be remembered and
discussed for decades to come. As we continue to watch
and enjoy Super Bowls today with their high powered offenses
and astronomical television ratings, it's worth remembering games like Super
Bowl eleven. They remind us of the NFL's evolution of
the grit and determination that have always been at the
(09:56):
heart of the sport and of the eternal truth that,
in football, as in life, perseverance and teamwork can overcome
past disappointments and lead to ultimate triumph. Thank you for
joining us on this journey back to Super Bowl eleven,
a game that proved that sometimes redemption is just a
season away, and that with the right combination of talent, coaching,
and determination, even the most painful losses can be transformed
(10:18):
into the sweetest victories.
Popular Podcasts
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.