Oakland Raiders: 30 Iconic Moments In Franchise History

Aug 22, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; A Oakland Raiders helmet sits on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

30. October 20, 1980 – Bombs Away

It might be easy to forget now, but the Raiders at one time were the undisputed Masters of Monday Night Football. In their firs 15 appearances, the Raiders amassed a sparkling 13-1-1 record on Monday nights.

In 1980, the Raiders and the Pittsburgh Steelers entered their Monday night contest both desperate for a win. Both were 3-3 and were scuffling. The Steelers were the defending champs and had claimed four of the past six Lombardi trophies. But the 1980 season was far different and far more difficult for them.

The Raiders faced their own adversity with QB Dan Pastorini out with a broken leg and his replacement, struggling and posting a 2-3 record. With both teams hungry and needing win, their Monday night showdown was guaranteed to be epic.

Less than six minutes into the game though, the Steelers had jumped out to a 10-0 lead on the Raiders. But the Raiders battled back, a 27 yard run by Kenny King providing the Raiders with their first points of the game and cutting into the lead. But Pittsburgh answered right back – Terry Bradshaw leading his team on an 84 yard scoring drive to back up 17-7. But Plunkett wasn’t done. He drove the Raiders back down the field and Oakland was back in the game 17-14.

The defense got in on the action, scooping up a fumble and taking it back for a touchdown and a 21-17 lead. The offensive onslaught continued though and the teams went into halftime with the Raiders up 28-24.

And it got crazier from there.

After the teams traded scoring drives and racked up the yardage, the Raiders emerged from the high octane scoring frenzy with a 45-34 win. It was a game that featured 79 points scored, nearly 800 yards of total offense, and an additional 250 yards in kick returns. And amazingly enough, five of the game’s ten touchdowns came on plays of 34 yards or longer.

But more importantly, it was a game that helped turn around the Raiders’ season and helped propel them to a win in Super Bowl XV.

Next: December 18, 1976