The 1990 Los Angeles Raiders season was the club's 31st season in the National Football League (NFL). Led by Coach of the Year Art Shell, the club appeared in its first AFC Championship Game since the 1983 season, but lost a lopsided affair to the Buffalo Bills, 51–3.
Offseason
NFL draft
Main article:
1990 NFL draft[1]
Personnel
Staff
| colspan="7" style="background: black; color:white; border: 2px solid #A5ACAF" text-align: center;" | 1990 Los Angeles Raiders staff |
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Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
- Special Teams – Steve Ortmayer
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[2]
Roster
| colspan="10" style="background: black; color:white; border:2px solid #A5ACAF" text-align:center;" | 1990 Los Angeles Raiders roster |
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Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
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Tight ends
Offensive linemen
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Defensive linemen
Linebackers
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Defensive backs
Special teams
Rookies in italics
|
[3]
Starters
[4]
Regular season
Schedule
| Week |
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Attendance |
| 1 |
September 9, 1990 |
Denver Broncos |
W 14–9 |
54,206 |
| 2 |
September 16, 1990 |
at Seattle Seahawks |
W 17–13 |
61,889 |
| 3 |
September 23, 1990 |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
W 20–3 |
50,657 |
| 4 |
September 30, 1990 |
Chicago Bears |
W 24–10 |
80,156 |
| 5 |
October 7, 1990 |
at Buffalo Bills |
L 38–24 |
80,076 |
| 6 |
October 14, 1990 |
Seattle Seahawks |
W 24–17 |
50,624 |
| 7 |
October 21, 1990 |
at San Diego Chargers |
W 24–9 |
60,569 |
| 8 |
Bye |
| 9 |
November 4, 1990 |
at Kansas City Chiefs |
L 9–7 |
70,951 |
| 10 |
November 11, 1990 |
Green Bay Packers |
L 29–16 |
50,855 |
| 11 |
November 19, 1990 |
at Miami Dolphins |
W 13–10 |
70,553 |
| 12 |
November 25, 1990 |
Kansas City Chiefs |
L 27–24 |
65,710 |
| 13 |
December 2, 1990 |
at Denver Broncos |
W 23–20 |
74,162 |
| 14 |
December 10, 1990 |
at Detroit Lions |
W 38–31 |
72,190 |
| 15 |
December 16, 1990 |
Cincinnati Bengals |
W 24–7 |
54,132 |
| 16 |
December 22, 1990 |
at Minnesota Vikings |
W 28–24 |
53,899 |
| 17 |
December 30, 1990 |
San Diego Chargers |
W 17–12 |
62,593 |
Game summaries
Week 1
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Broncos |
3 |
3 | 0 | 3 |
9 |
| • Raiders |
0 |
0 | 14 | 0 |
14 |
- Date: September 9
- Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
- Game start: 4:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 54,206
- Game weather: 75°F, wind 7
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
|
| Q1 |
| DEN | Treadwell 42 yard field goal | DEN 3–0 |
|
| Q2 |
| DEN | Treadwell 44 yard field goal | DEN 6–0 |
|
| Q3 |
| LA | Robinson 5 yard interception return (Jaeger kick) | LA 7–6 |
|
| Q3 |
| LA | McDaniel 42 yard fumble return (Jaeger kick) | LA 14–6 |
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| Q4 |
| DEN | Treadwell 24 yard field goal | LA 14–9 |
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On opening day the Raiders achieved an important victory but they did not score an offensive touchdown. At halftime the Broncos led Los Angeles 6–0. During the third quarter, Denver quarterback John Elway was intercepted by Raider lineback Jerry Robinson and the veteran returned the ball to the endzone for a touchdown. Later, cornerback Terry McDaniel scored the first touchdown of his career on a 42-yard fumble return. Leading 14–6 the Raiders defense held firm and only surrendered a third field goal to Denver.[5]
Week 2
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| • Raiders |
3 |
0 | 0 | 14 |
17 |
| Seahawks |
0 |
3 | 7 | 3 |
13 |
- Date: September 16
- Location: Kingdome, Seattle, WA
- Game start: 4:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 61,889
- Game weather: Indoors (dome)
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
|
| Q1 |
| LA | Jaeger 47 yard field goal | LA 3–0 |
|
| Q2 |
| SEA | Johnson 22 yard field goal | Tie 3–3 |
|
| Q3 |
| SEA | Williams 2 yard run (Johnson kick) | SEA 10–3 |
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| Q4 |
| LA | Fernandez 12 yard pass from Schroeder (Jaeger kick) | Tie 10–10 |
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| Q4 |
| SEA | Johnson 19 yard field goal | SEA 13–10 |
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| Q4 |
| LA | Bell 1 yard run (Jaeger kick) | LA 17–13 |
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The Raiders won their second straight game to start the 1990 season with a 2–0 record. A defensive struggle ensued between the two teams and by the end of the third quarter the Seahawks led 10–3. Raiders starting quarterback Jay Schroeder tied the game with a 12-yard scoring strike to wide receiver Mervyn Fernandez. Seattle regained the lead a few moments later on a 19-yard field goal. With time running short the Raiders drove downfield and scored on a 1-yard run by reserve running back Greg Bell to earn the victory.[6]
Week 3
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Steelers |
3 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
3 |
| • Raiders |
0 |
3 | 3 | 14 |
20 |
- Date: September 23
- Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
- Game start: 4:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 50,657
- Game weather: 69°F; wind 11
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
|
| Q1 |
| PIT | Anderson 31 yard field goal | PIT 3–0 |
|
| Q2 |
| LA | Jaeger 40 yard field goal | Tie 3–3 |
|
| Q3 |
| LA | Jaeger 45 yard field goal | LA 6–3 |
|
| Q4 |
| LA | Allen 1 yard run (Jaeger kick) | LA 13–3 |
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| Q4 |
| LA | Fernandez 66 yard pass from Schroeder (Jaeger kick) | LA 20–3 |
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[7]
The Raider defense combined for six sacks to beat Pittsburgh. The Steelers took a 3–0 lead but the Raiders scored 20 straight points to rout Pittsburgh.
Week 4
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Bears |
7 |
3 | 0 | 0 |
10 |
| • Raiders |
10 |
7 | 0 | 7 |
24 |
- Date: September 30
- Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
- Game start: 4:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 80,156
- Game weather: 68°F; wind 11
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
|
| Q1 |
| LA | Allen 1 yard run (Jaeger kick) | LA 7–0 |
|
| Q1 |
| CHI | Gentry 80 yard pass from Harbaugh (Butler kick) | Tie 7–7 |
|
| Q1 |
| LA | Jaeger 27 yard field goal | LA 10–7 |
|
| Q2 |
| LA | Townsend 1 yard fumble return (Jaeger kick) | LA 17–7 |
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| Q2 |
| CHI | Butler 22 yard field goal | LA 17–10 |
|
| Q4 |
| LA | Allen 3 yard run (Jaeger kick) | LA 24–10 |
|
[8]
Marcus Allen scored the first points of the game, a 1-yard touchdown run, and the Raiders never looked back. Another Allen touchdown and a short fumble return for a touchdown by Greg Townsend rounded out the scoring. Willie Gault beat up his former team with 103 yards receiving on just 4 receptions.
Week 5
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Raiders |
7 |
3 | 7 | 7 |
24 |
| • Bills |
0 |
7 | 7 | 24 |
38 |
- Date: October 7
- Location: Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
- Game start: 7:30 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 80,076
- Game weather: 71°F; wind 16
|
[9]
Week 6
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Seahawks |
0 |
14 | 3 | 0 |
17 |
| • Raiders |
7 |
14 | 0 | 3 |
24 |
- Date: October 14
- Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
- Game start: 4:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 50,624
- Game weather: 66°F; wind 7
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
|
| Q1 |
| LA | Smith 1 yard pass from Schroeder (Jaeger kick) | LA 7–0 |
|
| Q2 |
| LA | Fernandez 3 yard pass from Schroeder (Jaeger kick) | LA 14–0 |
|
| Q2 |
| LA | Horton 3 yard pass from Schroeder (Jaeger kick) | LA 21–0 |
|
| Q2 |
| SEA | Skansi 5 yard pass from Krieg (Johnson kick) | LA 21–7 |
|
| Q2 |
| SEA | Kane 31 yard pass from Krieg (Johnson kick) | LA 21–14 |
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| Q3 |
| SEA | Johnson 34 yard field goal | LA 21–17 |
|
| Q4 |
| LA | Jaeger 22 yard field goal | LA 24–17 |
|
[10]
Week 7
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| • Raiders |
0 |
10 | 7 | 7 |
24 |
| Chargers |
3 |
3 | 3 | 0 |
9 |
- Date: October 21
- Location: Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, CA
- Game start: 4:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 60,569
- Game weather: 68°F; wind 10
|
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| Scoring summary |
|---|
|
| Q1 |
| SD | Carney 27 yard field goal | SD 3–0 |
|
| Q2 |
| LA | Jaeger 24 yard field goal | Tie 3–3 |
|
| Q2 |
| LA | Jackson 5 yard run (Jaeger kick) | LA 10–3 |
|
| Q2 |
| SD | Carney 37 yard field goal | LA 10–6 |
|
| Q3 |
| LA | Jackson 7 yard run (Jaeger kick) | LA 17–6 |
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| Q3 |
| SD | Carney 37 yard field goal | LA 17–9 |
|
| Q4 |
| LA | Gault 8 yard pass from Schroeder (Jaeger kick) | LA 24–9 |
|
[11]
The Raiders rewarded Bo Jackson's return from professional baseball by giving him the ball 12 times for 53 yards and 2 touchdowns. On defense the Raiders recorded two sacks and held the Chargers to just three field goals.
Week 9
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Raiders |
0 |
0 | 0 | 7 |
7 |
| • Chiefs |
6 |
0 | 0 | 3 |
9 |
- Date: November 4
- Location: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
- Game start: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 70,951
- Game weather: 36°F; wind 22
|
[12]
The Raiders scored the only touchdown of the game but the Chiefs outscored and outrushed the Raiders to hand the Raiders their second loss of the season.
Week 10
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| • Packers |
3 |
13 | 3 | 10 |
29 |
| Raiders |
13 |
3 | 0 | 0 |
16 |
- Date: November 11
- Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
- Game start: 4:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 50,855
- Game weather: 70°F; wind 8
|
[13]
The Packers overcame 8 sacks by the Raiders to force four Raider turnovers and bask in the glory of 10 Raiders penalties.
Week 11
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| • Raiders |
0 |
10 | 3 | 0 |
13 |
| Dolphins |
0 |
7 | 0 | 3 |
10 |
- Date: November 19
- Location: Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami, FL
- Game start: 9:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 70,553
- Game weather: 70°F; wind 8
- Television network: ABC
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
|
| Q2 |
| LA | Jaeger 23 yard field goal | LA 3–0 |
|
| Q2 |
| LA | Allen 2 yard run (Jaeger kick) | LA 10–0 |
|
| Q2 |
| MIA | Schwedes 14 yard pass from Marino (Stoyanovich kick) | LA 10–7 |
|
| Q3 |
| LA | Jaeger 43 yard field goal | LA 13–7 |
|
| Q4 |
| MIA | Stoyanovich 26 yard field goal | LA 13–10 |
|
[14]
On Monday Night Football both Marcus Allen and Bo Jackson rushed for 79 yards and 99 yards respectively to beat Miami and rebound for consecutive losses to Kansas City and Green Bay. Marcus Allen scored the only Raider touchdown of the game.
Week 12
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| • Chiefs |
0 |
10 | 10 | 7 |
27 |
| Raiders |
0 |
10 | 7 | 7 |
24 |
- Date: November 25
- Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
- Game start: 4:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 65,710
- Game weather: 60°F; wind 7
|
[15]
The Raiders lost their fourth game of the 1990 season and their third defeat in four weeks. Marcus Allen scored three times and both Allen and Jackson combined for over 100 yards rushing but it was not enough. Chiefs quarterback Steve DeBerg threw three touchdown passes and the Chiefs defense combined for five sacks to earn a season sweep of Los Angeles.
Week 13
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| • Raiders |
7 |
0 | 7 | 9 |
23 |
| Broncos |
3 |
7 | 0 | 10 |
20 |
- Date: December 2
- Location: Mile High Stadium, Denver, CO
- Game start: 4:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 74,162
- Game weather: 25°F; wind 11
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
|
| Q1 |
| DEN | Treadwell 45 yard field goal | DEN 3–0 |
|
| Q1 |
| LA | Smith 4 yard run (Jaeger kick) | LA 7–3 |
|
| Q2 |
| DEN | Johnson 21 yard pass from Elway (Treadwell kick) | DEN 10–7 |
|
| Q3 |
| LA | Jackson 11 yard run (Jaeger kick) | LA 14–10 |
|
| Q4 |
| DEN | Treadwell 21 yard field goal | LA 14–13 |
|
| Q4 |
| LA | Jackson 62 yard run (kick failed) | LA 20–13 |
|
| Q4 |
| LA | Jaeger 46 yard field goal | LA 23–13 |
|
| Q4 |
| DEN | Young 8 yard pass from Elway (Treadwell kick) | LA 23–20 |
|
[16]
Bo Jackson had been fairly quiet all season until a dose of Denver defense cured him of any of his struggles. During the third quarter and with the Raiders leading 14–13, Bo Jackson broke several tackles during a 62-yard touchdown run. The score was Jackson's second touchdown of the afternoon and the former Auburn star rushed 13 times for 117 yards. Receiver Willie Gault helped out with 9 receptions for 99 yards.
Week 14
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| • Raiders |
14 |
7 | 14 | 3 |
38 |
| Lions |
21 |
3 | 0 | 7 |
31 |
- Date: December 10
- Location: Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, MI
- Game start: 9:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 72,190
- Game weather: Indoors (dome)
- Television network: ABC
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
|
| Q1 |
| DET | Sanders 35 yard run (Murray kick) | DET 7–0 |
|
| Q1 |
| LA | Gault 68 yard pass from Schroeder (Jaeger kick) | Tie 7–7 |
|
| Q1 |
| DET | Sanders 5 yard run (Murray kick) | DET 14–7 |
|
| Q1 |
| LA | Allen 2 yard run (Jaeger kick) | Tie 14–14 |
|
| Q1 |
| DET | Campbell 11 yard pass from Peete (Murray kick) | DET 21–14 |
|
| Q2 |
| DET | Murray 47 yard field goal | DET 24–14 |
|
| Q2 |
| LA | Jackson 55 yard run (Jaeger kick) | DET 24–21 |
|
| Q3 |
| LA | Fernandez 10 yard pass from Schroeder (Jaeger kick) | LA 28–24 |
|
| Q3 |
| LA | Brown 3 yard pass from Schroeder (Jaeger kick) | LA 35–24 |
|
| Q4 |
| DET | Peete 6 yard run (Murray kick) | LA 35–31 |
|
| Q4 |
| LA | Jaeger 37 yard field goal | LA 38–31 |
|
For the second time in four weeks the Raiders played on Monday Night Football. The games biggest prime time stage contained some of the greatest college football players in history. The teams set a NFL record with five combined Heisman Trophy winners taking the field. (For the Raiders it was Marcus Allen, Bo Jackson and Tim Brown. For the Lions it was Barry Sanders and Andre Ware.) The game turned out to be a shootout with Allen, Brown, Jackson and Barry Sanders scoring touchdowns. Sanders rushed for 176 yards on 25 carries and Jackson carried 18 times for 129 yards. The Raiders defense captured four sacks and an interception to earn their ninth win of the season.
Week 15
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Bengals |
7 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
7 |
| • Raiders |
7 |
10 | 7 | 0 |
24 |
- Date: December 16
- Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
- Game start: 4:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 54,132
- Game weather: 53°F; wind 12
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
|
| Q1 |
| CIN | McGee 41 yard pass from Esiason (Breech kick) | CIN 7–0 |
|
| Q1 |
| LA | Brown 5 yard pass from Schroeder (Jaeger kick) | Tie 7–7 |
|
| Q2 |
| LA | Brown 44 yard pass from Schroeder (Jaeger kick) | LA 14–7 |
|
| Q2 |
| LA | Jaeger 39 yard field goal | LA 17–7 |
|
| Q3 |
| LA | Horton 1 yard pass from Schroeder (Jaeger kick) | LA 24–7 |
|
[17]
During the game Bo Jackson rushed eight times for 117 yards and Tim Brown scored twice. After trailing 7–0 the Raiders scored 24 unanswered points to crush Cincinnati.
Week 16
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| • Raiders |
14 |
0 | 7 | 7 |
28 |
| Vikings |
0 |
10 | 0 | 14 |
24 |
- Date: December 22
- Location: Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, MN
- Game start: 4:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 53,899
- Game weather: Indoors (dome)
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
|
| Q1 |
| LA | Fernandez 74 yard pass from Schroeder (Jaeger kick) | LA 7–0 |
|
| Q1 |
| LA | Graddy 47 yard pass from Schroeder (Jaeger kick) | LA 14–0 |
|
| Q2 |
| MIN | Reveiz 28 yard field goal | LA 14–3 |
|
| Q2 |
| MIN | Carter 27 yard pass from Wilson (Reveiz kick) | LA 14–10 |
|
| Q3 |
| LA | Allen 19 yard pass from Schroeder (Jaeger kick) | LA 21–10 |
|
| Q4 |
| LA | Horton 3 yard pass from Schroeder (Jaeger kick) | LA 28–10 |
|
| Q4 |
| MIN | Jones 4 yard pass from Gannon (Reveiz kick) | LA 28–17 |
|
| Q4 |
| MIN | Jordan 10 yard pass from Gannon (Reveiz kick) | LA 28–24 |
|
[18]
Jay Schroeder gave Los Angeles a 14–0 lead after hitting receivers Sam Graddy and Mervyn Fernandez with touchdown passes. The Vikings reentered the game with 10 unanswered points but Schroeder threw two more touchdown passes to Marcus Allen and Ethan Horton to give Los Angeles a 28–10 lead. Future Raider quarterback Rich Gannon replaced Vikings starter and future Raider Wade Wilson and threw two touchdown passes to earn the final points of the contest. The Raiders defense came through again with five sacks and an interception.
Week 17
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Chargers |
3 |
6 | 0 | 3 |
12 |
| • Raiders |
0 |
7 | 0 | 10 |
17 |
- Date: December 30
- Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
- Game start: 4:00 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 62,593
- Game weather: 53°F; wind 5
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
|
| Q1 |
| SD | Carney 19 yard field goal | SD 3–0 |
|
| Q2 |
| LA | Allen 1 yard run (Jaeger kick) | LA 7–3 |
|
| Q2 |
| SD | McEwen 7 yard pass from Friesz (kick failed) | SD 9–7 |
|
| Q4 |
| LA | Jaeger 45 yard field goal | LA 10–9 |
|
| Q4 |
| SD | Carney 21 yard field goal | SD 12–10 |
|
| Q4 |
| LA | Smith 17 yard pass from Schroeder (Jaeger kick) | LA 17–12 |
|
[19]
The two losses to Kansas City hurt the Raiders here but hopes of a divisional championship were still alive. With a win the Raiders would win the AFC West and the team did not disappoint. Trailing 12–10 in the fourth quarter, the Raiders mounted an important drive and fullback Steve Smith finalized the win with a short touchdown reception from Jay Schroeder.
Standings
Playoffs
Divisional
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Bengals |
0 |
3 | 0 | 7 |
10 |
| • Raiders |
0 |
7 | 3 | 10 |
20 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
|
| Q2 |
| CIN | Breech 27 yard field goal | CIN 3–0 |
|
| Q2 |
| LA | Fernandez 13 yard pass from Schroeder (Jaeger kick) | LA 7–3 |
|
| Q3 |
| LA | Jaeger 49 yard field goal | LA 10–3 |
|
| Q4 |
| CIN | Jennings 8 yard pass from Esiason (Breech kick) | Tie 10–10 |
|
| Q4 |
| LA | Horton 41 yard pass from Schroeder (Jaeger kick) | LA 17–10 |
|
| Q4 |
| LA | Jaeger 25 yard field goal | LA 20–10 |
|
The Raiders recorded 235 rushing yards (with 140 of them coming from running back Marcus Allen), while holding the Bengals to just 182 total yards and sacking Boomer Esiason four times (three by lineman Greg Townsend), but still had to score 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to clinch the victory. The Bengals scored first during the second period with kicker Jim Breech's 27-yard field goal. But Los Angeles quarterback Jay Schroeder threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mervyn Fernandez to give the Raiders a 7–3 lead before halftime. Los Angeles kicker Jeff Jaeger made a 49-field goal in the third quarter, but Cincinnati tied the game early in the fourth period with running back Stanford Jennings' 8-yard touchdown reception from Esiason. However, a 41-yard touchdown pass from Schroeder to tight end Ethan Horton and Jaeger's 25-yard field goal clinched the victory.
This was Raiders running back Bo Jackson's final NFL game, having injured his left hip during the third quarter while being tackled from behind by Bengals linebacker Kevin Walker.[21] The injury was later revealed to have caused a degenerative bone condition in Jackson's hip called avascular necrosis. Before being knocked out of the game, he rushed 6 times for 77 yards. Some Bengals fans theorize that this injury to one of the greatest athletes ever placed a curse on the Bengals franchise (sometimes called "the curse of Bo Jackson"), and that this curse is partially responsible for the Bengals' notorious failure to field a competitive football team for most of the next decade and half, and the Bengals have not won a playoff game since.
This game is also notable for being Marcus Allen's last 100-plus yard rushing performance with the Raiders, as well as the last postseason game the Bengals would play in until the 2005 season.
Conference Championship
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Raiders |
3 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
3 |
| • Bills |
21 |
20 | 0 | 10 |
51 |
- Date: January 20
- Location: Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
- Game start: 12:30 p.m. EST
- Game attendance: 80,325
- Game weather: Rain; 38°F
- Referee: Jim Tunney
- TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Bill Walsh
|
Raiders head coach Art Shell became the first African-American coach to take his team to a conference championship game, but the results were not in his favor.
The Bills shredded the Raiders, limiting quarterback Jay Schroeder to 13 of 31 completions for 150 yards and intercepting him 5 times, while also holding running back Marcus Allen to just 26 yards on 10 carries. On offense, the Bills amassed 502 total yards, including 202 yards on the ground. Running back Thurman Thomas rushed for 138 and a touchdown while also catching 5 passes for 61 yards, while running back Kenneth Davis tied an AFC playoff record with 3 rushing touchdowns. Buffalo also set an NFL playoff record by scoring 41 points in the first half. Bills quarterback Jim Kelly threw for 300 yards and two touchdown passes to wide receiver James Lofton, who finished the game with 5 receptions for 113 yards. Thomas recorded a 12-yard touchdown run, while Davis scored from 1 yard, 3 yards, and 1 yard out. Linebacker Darryl Talley returned one of his two interceptions 27 yards for a touchdown.
On Buffalo's opening drive, Kelly completed six consecutive passes, the last one a 13-yard touchdown throw to Lofton after he recovered a fumbled snap in shotgun formation. The Raiders responded with a 41-yard field goal from Jeff Jaeger, but Buffalo stormed back with another touchdown just four plays after the ensuing kickoff, set up by Kelly's 41-yard completion to Lofton. After a punt, Los Angeles defensive back Gary Lewis intercepted a pass from Kelly. But two plays later, Talley intercepted a pass from Schroeder and returned it for a touchdown. The Raiders were forced to punt on their next possession, and Buffalo stormed down the field again, scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run by Davis on fourth down and goal. An interception by Nate Odomes set up Davis' second touchdown less than a minute later, and before the half ended, Lofton caught his second touchdown pass to give the Bills a 41–3 first half lead.
Buffalo increased their lead to 48–3 with Davis' third touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter. Later on, Scott Norwood closed out the scoring with a 39-yard field goal.
Buffalo recorded a total of six interceptions, the third highest total ever in a single NFL game. Defensive back Mark Kelso recorded his fourth career postseason interception in the game, a Bills' record.
Awards and records
Art Shell, NFL Coach of the Year
Bo Jackson, Pro Bowl
Greg Townsend, Pro Bowl
Marcus Allen, 13 total touchdowns, 12 rushing and 1 receiving
References
External links
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| | | | Franchise | |
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| | Stadiums | |
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| | Key Personnel | |
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| | Culture | |
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| | Rivalries | |
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| | Media/Lore | |
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| | Playoff appearances (21) | |
|---|
| | Division championships (16) | |
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| | Wild cards (5) | |
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| | Conference championships (4) | |
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| | Super Bowl appearances (5) | |
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| | League championships (4) | |
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| | Current league affiliations | |
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| | 1960s | |
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| | 1970s | |
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| | 1980s | |
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| | 1990s | |
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| | 2000s | |
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| | 2010s | |
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| | | Bold indicates AFL Championship or Super Bowl victory |
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