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DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS December 18, 1976 AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, New England Patriots 21
''at Oakland Coliseum , Oakland, California ''
A controversial roughing the passer call set up Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler 's winning touchdown with 10 seconds left in the game. 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 Biletnikoff 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 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. Replays would later clearly show that there was no illegal contact, but the call setup Stabler's game-winning touchdown.
NFC: Minnesota Vikings 35, Washington Redskins 20
''at Metropolitan Stadium , Bloomington, Minnesota ''
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 Tarkenton '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.
December 19, 1976 AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 40, Baltimore Colts 14
''at Memorial Stadium , Baltimore, Maryland ''
The Steelers dominated the Colts with 526 yards of total offense, while limiting Baltimore to only 170. Quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw three touchdown passes, including a 76-yard one to Frank Lewis on the third play of the game. The Colts scored late in the first period with Bert Jones' 17-yard touchdown pass, 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.
NFC: Los Angeles Rams 14, Dallas Cowboys 12
''at Texas Stadium , Irving, Texas ''
The Rams overcame two blocked punts by the Cowboys to come away with a 14-12 win. Dallas opened the scoring with a 44-yard field goal, but Los Angeles responded with quarterback Pat Haden '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, giving Los Angeles a first down. A few plays later, Lawrence McCutcheon 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 first down reception was ruled incomplete because he could only get one foot down in bounds in the end zone. Dallas eventually was unable to convert on fourth down, and the Rams took an intentional safety as time ran out.
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS December 26, 1976 AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 7
''at Oakland Coliseum , Oakland, California ''
With Steelers running backs Franco Harris 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.
NFC: Minnesota Vikings 24, Los Angeles Rams 13
''at Metropolitan Stadium , Bloomington, Minnesota ''
The Vikings forced a blocked field goal, a blocked punt, and two interceptions en route to the victory over the Rams. In the first quarter, Nate Allen blocked a field goal and Bobby Bryant picked up the ball and 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, running back Chuck Foreman rushed for 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. However, the Rams scored two touchdowns with a 10-yard run by Lawrence McCutcheon (the extra point failed) and a 5-yard reception by Harold Jackson. With 2:40 left in the game, Los Angeles advanced to the Minnesota 39-yard line. But quarterback Pat Haden's pass was intercepted by Bryant, and a few plays later, Sammy Lee Johnson scored the clinching touchdown.
SUPER BOWL Oakland Raiders (AFC) 32, Minnesota Vikings (NFC) 14, at Rose Bowl , Pasadena, California BRACKET
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