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Private Notes
The Giants thought they had a new identity in 1976. There was a new stadium they could call home, and they donned new helmets. But before the Giants could go to their new home, they had to face the road challenge of September 12. Washington coach George Allen had his familiar old cast-offs, plus a spirited new cast-off in fullback John Riggins. And once again, the Over the Hill Gang took down the Giants, 19-17 in RFK Stadium.
THe Patriots and QB Steve Grogan were said to arrive in this game at Schafer Stadium October 3, 1976. They had already upset Miami and Pittsburgh, and now New England was up to its new tricks again. A 48-17 win for the Pats would prove to be Oakland's only defeat of the 1976 season.
This was the tightest game the '76 Raiders faced between Opening Day and the playoffs. Chicago had its chances to win, but the pull of fate (i.e., the officials and uprights as well as the Silver and Black) produced a bitter 28-27 Oakland result.
George Allen brought his stretch-running Redskins into Dallas on December 12, needing one more win to make the playoffs. This Redskin team had a secret weapon, who proved to make the tide-turning play.
Oakland had lost the previous three AFC Championship games, the last two to Pittsburgh. Memories of the Opening Day brawl were fresh in everyone's mind when the two teams met again Dec. 26, 1976 for the right to play in Super Bowl XI. But the Steelers had little ground power. Without Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier in the game, it was time for Oakland, finally, to shine. The Raiders, 20-7 winners over Pittsburgh, were finally returning to the Super Bowl after nine years.
