NFL playoffs, 1976-77
Encyclopedia
The NFL playoffs
following the 1976 NFL season
led up to Super Bowl XI
.
with 39 seconds left in the first half. The Patriots then scored two touchdowns of their own in the third period to regain the lead, 21-10. In the fourth quarter, the Raiders marched 70 yards to score on a 1-yard touchdown run by Mark van Eeghen
to pull it to 21-17. Late in the final period, a controversial roughing the passer penalty on Patriots tackle Ray "Sugar Bear" Hamilton
nullified a third down incompletion and gave the Raiders an automatic first down deep in New England territory (instead of 4th and 10). The call setup Stabler's game-winning touchdown. Biletnikoff finished the game with 9 receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown. Oakland avenged its only loss of the year, which came at the hands of the Patriots.
's 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end Stu Voigt
. Then after Washington kicked a field goal, Tarkenton threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Sammy White, who managed to catch it after it was tipped in the air. Foreman added two rushing touchdowns and White caught a second touchdown pass. By the time Redskins quarterback Billy Kilmer
completed two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, the game was already out of reach.
completed 14 of 18 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns, including a 76-yard one to Frank Lewis on the third play of the game, giving him the first perfect 158.3 passer rating
in NFL playoff history. Steelers running back Franco Harris
racked up 132 rushing yards on just 18 carries, and caught 3 passes for 24 yards. The Colts scored late in the first period with Bert Jones
' 17-yard touchdown pass to Roger Carr
, but the Steelers then scored 24 unanswered points. Bradshaw threw 29 and 11-yard touchdowns to wide receiver Lynn Swann
, while running back Reggie Harrison
had two rushing scores.
Less than ten minutes after the conclusion of the game, a small charter plane crashed into the upper deck at Memorial Stadium. There were no deaths or injuries in the accident.
's 4-yard touchdown run. Late in the first half, Charlie Waters
blocked a punt to set up running back Scott Laidlaw
's 1-yard touchdown to give the Cowboys a 10-7 lead. Early in the final period, Rams kicker Tom Dempsey
made what would have been a game-tying field goal, but Cliff Harris
was called for a running into the kicker penalty on the play. The usually conservative Ram coach Chuck Knox
uncharacteristically took the points off the board, giving Los Angeles a first down. A few plays later, Lawrence McCutcheon
vindicated Knox's decision as he ran for a one yard touchdown to give the Rams the lead, 14-10. With 1:59 remaining in the game, Waters blocked another punt and the Cowboys recovered the ball at the Los Angeles 17-yard line. On first down, Butch Johnson
's reception was ruled incomplete because he could only get one foot down in bounds in the end zone. On 4th and two, the Rams stopped Staubach for a one yard gain and took possession on their own 8 yard line. After three "kneel downs" and Cowboy time outs, the Rams faced a 4th and 14 with seconds left in the game. Wary of another blocked punt, Coach Knox ordered Ram punter Rusty Jackson to step out of the back of the end zone for an intentional safety, and the Rams won 14-12. The Ram defense held Dallas to only 85 rushing yards; Dallas' defense was equally stingy, allowing 120 rushing yards but the Rams needed 49 attempts to achieve this. Constant Ram pressure caused Staubach to have one of his worst playoff games ever as he was 15 of 37 for 150 yards; he was sacked 4 times and threw 3 interceptions. In addition, Staubach, who had hurt the Rams the year before with his scrambling runs, gained only 8 yards rushing. Ram QB Pat Haden couldn't do much better vs. Dallas' tough defense; he was 10 for 21 for 152 yards and also threw 3 interceptions.
and Rocky Bleier out of the game with injuries, the Raiders easily shut down Pittsburgh's offense. Oakland jumped to a 10-0 lead with Errol Mann
's 39-yard field goal and running back Clarence Davis
' 1-yard touchdown run. The Steelers responded with running back Reggie Harrison
's 3-yard rushing touchdown. With 19 seconds left in the first half, the Raiders faced first down at the Pittsburgh 4-yard line. Oakland lined up three tight ends as if they were to run the ball, but quarterback Ken Stabler
threw a play action pass
to Warren Bankston
for a touchdown to give the Raiders a 17-7 lead at halftime. Oakland controlled the entire second half, including a 12-play, 63-yard scoring drive that ended with Stabler's second touchdown pass.
rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown on just 15 carries while also catching 5 passes for 81 yards. In the first quarter, the Rams got off to a good start as they marched down the field to the Viking's 2 yard line. The drive stalled there, and coach Chuck Knox, recalling the NFC championship game in Minnesota two years ago (when the Rams were intercepted in the end zone after driving to the Viking's 2 yard line) ordered a field goal attempt. Nate Allen blocked the field goal attempt, and the ball bounced off the ground right into the waiting arms of Bobby Bryant
, who returned it 90 yards for a Minnesota touchdown. Then in the second quarter, linebacker Matt Blair
recovered a blocked punt to set up Fred Cox
's 25-yard field goal to give the Vikings a 10-0 lead before halftime. Then in the third period, Foreman rushed 62 yards to the Los Angeles 2-yard line, and scored on a 1-yard touchdown run two plays later to increase the lead 17-0. The Rams rallied back with two quick touchdowns in the third. After a Dave Elmendorf
interception gave the Rams the ball at midfield, Pat Haden
hit Harold Jackson
for 40 yards, followed by a 10-yard touchdown run by Lawrence McCutcheon
. The PAT was blocked, however. On the Vikings next drive, Fred Dryer
hit Fran Tarkenton
on a sack, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Jack Youngblood
at the Viking 11. Two plays later, Haden hit Jackson for a 5-yard touchdown pass. With 2:40 left in the game, Los Angeles advanced to the Minnesota 39-yard line. On fourth down and needing more than a field goal, Haden thought he had Jackson open deep near the goal line, but Bryant intercepted the pass (his second of the game) rather than batting it down. A few plays later, Tarkenton dumped a short pass off to Foreman, which he turned into a 57-yard gain. Backup running back Sammy Johnson scored the clinching touchdown from 12 yards out.
This turned out to be the last playoff game at Metropolitan Stadium. The Vikings played four playoff games between 1977 and 1981, all on the road. Minnesota's next home playoff game came after the strike-shortened 1982 season, the Vikings' first in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
.
To date, this is the most recent NFC Championship that the Vikings have won.
NFL playoffs
The National Football League playoffs are a single-elimination tournament held at the end of the regular season to determine the NFL champion. Six teams from each of the league's two conferences qualify for the playoffs based on regular season records, and a tie-breaking procedure exists in the...
following the 1976 NFL season
1976 NFL season
The 1976 NFL season was the 57th regular season of the National Football League. The league expanded to 28 teams with the addition of the Seattle Seahawks and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
led up to Super Bowl XI
Super Bowl XI
Super Bowl XI was a football game played on January 9, 1977 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California to decide the National Football League champion following the 1976 regular season...
.
Bracket
AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, New England Patriots 21
The Patriots scored first after an 86-yard drive was capped by running back Andy Johnson's 1-yard touchdown run. However, Oakland scored 10 straight points, including a 31-yard touchdown reception to wide receiver Fred BiletnikoffFred Biletnikoff
Frederick S. "Fred" Biletnikoff is a former American football wide receiver and coach. He spent the majority of his professional playing and coaching days with the Oakland Raiders...
with 39 seconds left in the first half. The Patriots then scored two touchdowns of their own in the third period to regain the lead, 21-10. In the fourth quarter, the Raiders marched 70 yards to score on a 1-yard touchdown run by Mark van Eeghen
Mark van Eeghen
Mark van Eeghen ,is an American football player, who played ten years in the National Football League, including making two Super Bowl appearances. He was a member of the Oakland Raiders and for two seasons, the New England Patriots...
to pull it to 21-17. Late in the final period, a controversial roughing the passer penalty on Patriots tackle Ray "Sugar Bear" Hamilton
Ray Hamilton
Ray "Sugar Bear" Hamilton is a former American football player from 1973 through 1981 for the New England Patriots, and the current defensive line coach for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons...
nullified a third down incompletion and gave the Raiders an automatic first down deep in New England territory (instead of 4th and 10). The call setup Stabler's game-winning touchdown. Biletnikoff finished the game with 9 receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown. Oakland avenged its only loss of the year, which came at the hands of the Patriots.
NFC: Minnesota Vikings 35, Washington Redskins 20
The Vikings jumped to a 35-6 lead by the end of the third quarter, led by running backs Chuck Foreman and Brent McClanahan who each rushed for more than 100 yards. McClanahan's 41-yard run on Minnesota's first play of the game set up quarterback Fran TarkentonFran Tarkenton
Francis Asbury "Fran" Tarkenton is a former professional football player, TV personality, and computer software executive....
's 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end Stu Voigt
Stu Voigt
Stu Voigt is a former NFL tight end.Voigt was born in 1948 in the rough and tumble Westmorland district of Madison, Wisconsin. He graduated from Madison West High School in 1966, where he was an all-state running back and track and field standout. His state record in shot put of 66 feet...
. Then after Washington kicked a field goal, Tarkenton threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Sammy White, who managed to catch it after it was tipped in the air. Foreman added two rushing touchdowns and White caught a second touchdown pass. By the time Redskins quarterback Billy Kilmer
Billy Kilmer
William Orland Kilmer, Jr. was an American football quarterback in the National Football League for the San Francisco 49ers, the New Orleans Saints and the Washington Redskins...
completed two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, the game was already out of reach.
AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 40, Baltimore Colts 14
The Steelers dominated the Colts with 526 yards of total offense, while limiting Baltimore to only 170. Quarterback Terry BradshawTerry Bradshaw
Terry Paxton Bradshaw is a former American football quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League . He played 14 seasons. He is a football analyst and co-host of Fox NFL Sunday...
completed 14 of 18 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns, including a 76-yard one to Frank Lewis on the third play of the game, giving him the first perfect 158.3 passer rating
Passer rating
Passer rating is a measure of the performance of quarterbacks or any other passers in American football and Canadian football. There are at least two formulae currently in use: one officially used by the National Football League and the Canadian Football League, and one used in college football...
in NFL playoff history. Steelers running back Franco Harris
Franco Harris
Franco Harris is a former American football player. He played his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks.In the 1972 NFL Draft he was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round, the 13th selection overall...
racked up 132 rushing yards on just 18 carries, and caught 3 passes for 24 yards. The Colts scored late in the first period with Bert Jones
Bert Jones
Bertram Hays "Bert" Jones is a former LSU and NFL quarterback who played for the then Baltimore Colts and, briefly, the Los Angeles Rams. At Ruston High School, he was given the nickname, "The Ruston Rifle"...
' 17-yard touchdown pass to Roger Carr
Roger Carr
Roger Dale Carr is a former National Football League wide receiver who played mainly for the Baltimore Colts...
, but the Steelers then scored 24 unanswered points. Bradshaw threw 29 and 11-yard touchdowns to wide receiver Lynn Swann
Lynn Swann
-Collegiate:Swann attended the University of Southern California, where he was an All-American on the Trojans football team. He played under legendary coach John McKay, including the 1972 undefeated and national championship season. McKay said of Swann, "He has speed, soft hands, and grace." He...
, while running back Reggie Harrison
Reggie Harrison
The former Reggie Harrison was a professional American football running back for four seasons in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers and St. Louis Cardinals...
had two rushing scores.
Less than ten minutes after the conclusion of the game, a small charter plane crashed into the upper deck at Memorial Stadium. There were no deaths or injuries in the accident.
NFC: Los Angeles Rams 14, Dallas Cowboys 12
The Rams overcame two blocked punts by the Cowboys to come away with a 14-12 win in a defense dominated physical game. Dallas opened the scoring with a 44-yard field goal, but Los Angeles responded with quarterback Pat HadenPat Haden
Patrick Capper "Pat" Haden is the athletic director at the University of Southern California. He played quarterback for the USC Trojans before playing professionally in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams from 1976 to 1981...
's 4-yard touchdown run. Late in the first half, Charlie Waters
Charlie Waters
Charlie Tutan Waters is a former American football safety for the Dallas Cowboys from 1970-1981 in the National Football League...
blocked a punt to set up running back Scott Laidlaw
Scott Laidlaw
Robert Scott Laidlaw is a former American football running back in the National Football League who played for the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants. He played college football for Stanford University....
's 1-yard touchdown to give the Cowboys a 10-7 lead. Early in the final period, Rams kicker Tom Dempsey
Tom Dempsey
Thomas Dempsey is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League for the New Orleans Saints , Philadelphia Eagles , Los Angeles Rams , Houston Oilers and Buffalo Bills . He attended high school at San Dieguito High School and played college football at Palomar College...
made what would have been a game-tying field goal, but Cliff Harris
Cliff Harris
Clifford Allen Harris is a former professional American football safety who played for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League for ten seasons.-Professional career:...
was called for a running into the kicker penalty on the play. The usually conservative Ram coach Chuck Knox
Chuck Knox
Charles Robert "Chuck" Knox is a former American football coach at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. He is best remembered as head coach of three National Football League teams, the Seattle Seahawks, the Buffalo Bills, and the Los Angeles Rams, serving two separate stints with...
uncharacteristically took the points off the board, giving Los Angeles a first down. A few plays later, Lawrence McCutcheon
Lawrence McCutcheon
Lawrence McCutcheon is a former American football running back for the Los Angeles Rams from 1972–1980, the Denver Broncos & Seattle Seahawks in 1980 and finished his playing career in 1981 with the Buffalo Bills, reuniting with his former Rams coach Chuck Knox.-Professional Career:McCutcheon was...
vindicated Knox's decision as he ran for a one yard touchdown to give the Rams the lead, 14-10. With 1:59 remaining in the game, Waters blocked another punt and the Cowboys recovered the ball at the Los Angeles 17-yard line. On first down, Butch Johnson
Butch Johnson
Richard Andrew Johnson is an archer from Woodstock, Connecticut in the United States. He has competed in the Summer Olympics five times, and was a part of the gold medal U.S. team at the 1996 Olympics and the bronze medal U.S...
's reception was ruled incomplete because he could only get one foot down in bounds in the end zone. On 4th and two, the Rams stopped Staubach for a one yard gain and took possession on their own 8 yard line. After three "kneel downs" and Cowboy time outs, the Rams faced a 4th and 14 with seconds left in the game. Wary of another blocked punt, Coach Knox ordered Ram punter Rusty Jackson to step out of the back of the end zone for an intentional safety, and the Rams won 14-12. The Ram defense held Dallas to only 85 rushing yards; Dallas' defense was equally stingy, allowing 120 rushing yards but the Rams needed 49 attempts to achieve this. Constant Ram pressure caused Staubach to have one of his worst playoff games ever as he was 15 of 37 for 150 yards; he was sacked 4 times and threw 3 interceptions. In addition, Staubach, who had hurt the Rams the year before with his scrambling runs, gained only 8 yards rushing. Ram QB Pat Haden couldn't do much better vs. Dallas' tough defense; he was 10 for 21 for 152 yards and also threw 3 interceptions.
AFC Championship: Oakland Raiders 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 7
With Steelers running backs Franco HarrisFranco Harris
Franco Harris is a former American football player. He played his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks.In the 1972 NFL Draft he was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round, the 13th selection overall...
and Rocky Bleier out of the game with injuries, the Raiders easily shut down Pittsburgh's offense. Oakland jumped to a 10-0 lead with Errol Mann
Errol Mann
Errol Denis Mann is a former American football placekicker who played in the National Football League from 1968-1978. He was a member of the Oakland Raiders' Super Bowl XI winning team...
's 39-yard field goal and running back Clarence Davis
Clarence Davis
Clarence Eugene Davis is a former American football running back who played with the National Football League's Oakland Raiders from 1971 to 1978.-College career:...
' 1-yard touchdown run. The Steelers responded with running back Reggie Harrison
Reggie Harrison
The former Reggie Harrison was a professional American football running back for four seasons in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers and St. Louis Cardinals...
's 3-yard rushing touchdown. With 19 seconds left in the first half, the Raiders faced first down at the Pittsburgh 4-yard line. Oakland lined up three tight ends as if they were to run the ball, but quarterback Ken Stabler
Ken Stabler
Kenneth "Kenny" Michael Stabler , is a former American football quarterback in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders , the Houston Oilers , and the New Orleans Saints...
threw a play action pass
Play action pass
A play-action pass is a type of American football play. The play action, or "PA" for short, appears to be a running play, but is actually a pass play; in this way, it can be considered the opposite of a draw play. Play-action passes are often used against defenses that are presently focused on...
to Warren Bankston
Warren Bankston
Warren Stephen Bankston is a former professional American football player who played ten seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders....
for a touchdown to give the Raiders a 17-7 lead at halftime. Oakland controlled the entire second half, including a 12-play, 63-yard scoring drive that ended with Stabler's second touchdown pass.
NFC Championship: Minnesota Vikings 24, Los Angeles Rams 13
The Vikings forced a blocked field goal, a blocked punt, and two interceptions en route to the victory over the Rams. On offense, running back Chuck ForemanChuck Foreman
Chuck Foreman is a retired NFL football player.He was a running back during his NFL career, although he often caught passes out of the backfield.-Early career:...
rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown on just 15 carries while also catching 5 passes for 81 yards. In the first quarter, the Rams got off to a good start as they marched down the field to the Viking's 2 yard line. The drive stalled there, and coach Chuck Knox, recalling the NFC championship game in Minnesota two years ago (when the Rams were intercepted in the end zone after driving to the Viking's 2 yard line) ordered a field goal attempt. Nate Allen blocked the field goal attempt, and the ball bounced off the ground right into the waiting arms of Bobby Bryant
Bobby Bryant
Bobby Bryant was a cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings during the days of the Purple People Eaters . Bryant was a fierce competitor despite his size leading to the nickname "Bones"...
, who returned it 90 yards for a Minnesota touchdown. Then in the second quarter, linebacker Matt Blair
Matt Blair
Matt Blair was an outside linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League for all 12 seasons of his career from 1974 to 1985.-Career:...
recovered a blocked punt to set up Fred Cox
Fred Cox
Frederick William Cox is a former National Football League kicker who played for the Minnesota Vikings throughout his career . Fred was raised in Monongahela, PA, where his family owned a grocery store...
's 25-yard field goal to give the Vikings a 10-0 lead before halftime. Then in the third period, Foreman rushed 62 yards to the Los Angeles 2-yard line, and scored on a 1-yard touchdown run two plays later to increase the lead 17-0. The Rams rallied back with two quick touchdowns in the third. After a Dave Elmendorf
Dave Elmendorf
David Cole Elmendorf was an American football player. He played as a safety for nine seasons in the NFL. He was a part of the Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl XIV team. In 1997 he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.David attended and graduated, in 1967, from Westbury High School in...
interception gave the Rams the ball at midfield, Pat Haden
Pat Haden
Patrick Capper "Pat" Haden is the athletic director at the University of Southern California. He played quarterback for the USC Trojans before playing professionally in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams from 1976 to 1981...
hit Harold Jackson
Harold Jackson (American football)
Harold Leon Jackson is a former American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League from 1968 through 1983. Jackson was drafted in the 12th round of the 1968 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams...
for 40 yards, followed by a 10-yard touchdown run by Lawrence McCutcheon
Lawrence McCutcheon
Lawrence McCutcheon is a former American football running back for the Los Angeles Rams from 1972–1980, the Denver Broncos & Seattle Seahawks in 1980 and finished his playing career in 1981 with the Buffalo Bills, reuniting with his former Rams coach Chuck Knox.-Professional Career:McCutcheon was...
. The PAT was blocked, however. On the Vikings next drive, Fred Dryer
Fred Dryer
John Frederick "Fred" Dryer is an American actor and former football defensive end in the National Football League . Dryer played 13 years in the NFL, playing 176 games, starting 166, and recording 104 career sacks with the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams...
hit Fran Tarkenton
Fran Tarkenton
Francis Asbury "Fran" Tarkenton is a former professional football player, TV personality, and computer software executive....
on a sack, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Jack Youngblood
Jack Youngblood
Herbert Jackson "Jack" Youngblood, III is a former American college and professional football player who was a defensive end for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League for fourteen seasons during the 1970s and 1980s. He was a five-time consensus All-Pro and a seven-time Pro Bowl...
at the Viking 11. Two plays later, Haden hit Jackson for a 5-yard touchdown pass. With 2:40 left in the game, Los Angeles advanced to the Minnesota 39-yard line. On fourth down and needing more than a field goal, Haden thought he had Jackson open deep near the goal line, but Bryant intercepted the pass (his second of the game) rather than batting it down. A few plays later, Tarkenton dumped a short pass off to Foreman, which he turned into a 57-yard gain. Backup running back Sammy Johnson scored the clinching touchdown from 12 yards out.
This turned out to be the last playoff game at Metropolitan Stadium. The Vikings played four playoff games between 1977 and 1981, all on the road. Minnesota's next home playoff game came after the strike-shortened 1982 season, the Vikings' first in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University...
.
To date, this is the most recent NFC Championship that the Vikings have won.