Oakland Raiders: 30 Iconic Moments In Franchise History

Dec 21, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; A Pittsburgh Steelers helmet on the sidelines as the Steelers play the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 20-12. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

23. September 12, 1976 – Kings of the Comeback

The Raiders have always had quite a reputation for being able to come back from even large deficits to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Their game against the Steelers would only add another page to that storybook.

After an offensively challenged first half, the two time defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the Raiders – two teams that had some of the league’s fiercest and most historic battles – were deadlocked at 7 at the half.

As these things tend to go, the second half was an entirely different story. Or rather, the fourth quarter was.

Pittsburgh entered the fourth quarter with a 14-7 lead. And then the deluge of points began. The teams went back and forth, trading touchdowns like crazy. With just under six minutes left in the game, the Steelers held a 28-14 lead. And the Raiders had them right where they wanted them.

The Raiders cut the lead to 28-21 with just under three minutes left in the game. After the Oakland defense forced a punt, Ken Stabler led the offense back down the field for a touchdown and a tie game with just over a minute left in the game. A deflected Bradshaw pass resulted in an interception that put the ball at the Pittsburgh 12 yard line. The Raiders kicked a field goal with 18 second left to go up 31-28 and win the game.

All told, in the span of two minutes and thirty eight seconds of possession time, the Raiders scored 17 points to knock off the Steelers. It was an important win that helped propel them to Super Bowl XI where they would go on to claim the franchise’s first title.

Next: January 19, 2003