Oakland Raiders: 30 Iconic Moments In Franchise History

Sep 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders raiderettes cheerleaders perform during a break in the action against the Baltimore Ravens in the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raider defeated the Ravens 37-33. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

16. October 5, 1986 – Last Glory for the Old Veteran

Though the first seven years of his career were spent elsewhere, Jim Plunkett is one of the Raiders’ greatest icons. 1986 would be his final season in Silver and Black, and though it was a lost season for the Raiders, Plunkett would give the team a few more moments of glory.

That first moment of glory came in a game with a hated division rival – the Kansas City Chiefs. The Raider offense, being led by quarterback Marc Wilson and running back Napoleon McCallum, who was starting in place of the injured Marcus Allen.

It didn’t go as expected.

Within the first 18 minute of the game, the Chiefs had come out swinging and built a 17-0 lead on the Raiders. And it didn’t get any prettier. By halftime, the Raiders had lost cornerback Mike Haynes with an injury and safety Van McElroy to ejection after a brawl on the field.

The Raiders had managed to score before the half to cut Kansas City’s lead to 17-7. And after the half, as so many Raiders games have been over the years, it was an entirely different team that took the field.

In the second half of the game, Kansas City did not score a point and gained just 60 yards of total offense. On Oakland’s first possession of the half, McCallum rumbled 12 yards for the touchdown and cut Kansas City’s lead to 17-14. But they lost starting quarterback Marc Wilson

Enter the old pro, Jim Plunkett. As the third quarter came to an end, Plunkett hit Todd Christensen for a touchdown to give the Raiders a 21-17 lead. A Chris Bahr field goal gave the Raiders a 24-17 lead and some rousing, solid defensive play to preserve the win for the Raiders.

Many of Oakland’s players praised Plunkett after the game, most saying, “Thank the old man for this one.”

Next: September 10, 1978