1968 Oakland Raiders season
| 1968 Oakland Raiders season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | John Rauch |
| Owner | F. Wayne Valley |
| Home field | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum |
| Results | |
| Record | 12–2–0 |
| Division place | 1st AFL Western |
| Playoff finish | Lost AFL Championship |
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| Scoring summary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jets | Jim Turner 44 yard field goal | Jets 3–0 | |
| 1 | Jets | Jim Turner 18 yard field goal | Jets 6–0 | |
| 1 | Raiders | Warren Wells 9 yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick) | Raiders 7–6 | |
| 2 | Raiders | Billy Cannon 48 yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick) | Raiders 14–6 | |
| 2 | Jets | Joe Namath 1 yard run (pass failed) | Raiders 14–12 | |
| 3 | Jets | Bill Mathis 4 yard run (Jim Turner kick) | Jets 19–14 | |
| 3 | Raiders | Charlie Smith 3 yard run (pass good) | Raiders 22–19 | |
| 4 | Jets | Don Maynard 50 yard pass from Joe Namath (Jim Turner kick) | Jets 26–22 | |
| 4 | Jets | Jim Turner 12 yard field goal | Jets 29–22 | |
| 4 | Raiders | Fred Biletnikoff 22 yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick) | Tie 29–29 | |
| 4 | Jets | Jim Turner 26 yard field goal | Jets 32–29 | |
| 4 | Raiders | Charlie Smith 43 yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick) | Raiders 36–32 | |
| 4 | Raiders | Preston Ridlehuber 2 yard fumble return (George Blanda kick) | Raiders 43–32 | |
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| Scoring summary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | OAK | George Blanda 39 yard field goal | OAK 3–0 | |
| 2 | BUF | Bruce Alford 26 yard field goal | Tie 3–3 | |
| 3 | OAK | George Blanda 33 yard field goal | OAK 6–3 | |
| 3 | OAK | George Atkinson 33 yard interception return (George Blanda kick) | OAK 13–3 | |
| 4 | BUF | Max Anderson 5 yard run (Bruce Alford kick) | OAK 13–10 | |
The 1968 Oakland Raiders season was the team's ninth season in both Oakland and the American Football League. It saw the team try to improve upon its 13–1 record from 1967. They ultimately finished one game short of matching that year's result; their 12–2 finish still ensured that they would lead the league in wins for a second consecutive year. They were led by third-year coach John Rauch.
The season would feature a growing rivalry between the Raiders and the New York Jets (the latter led by superstar quarterback Joe Namath). The two teams would meet twice in 1968. The first meeting, a regular-season contest, saw the Raiders complete a stunning fourth-quarter comeback over the Jets. The contest, known today as the Heidi Game, remains one of the most famous in AFL/NFL history. The two teams would also meet in the 1968 AFL Championship Game; Namath's Jets would emerge victorious in a 27–23 upset. The Jets would ultimately upset the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III.
The 1968 season is also notable for a few changes to the team including the additions of George Atkinson, Art Shell, and Ken Stabler. All three players would eventually win a championship with the Raiders in 1976. Additionally, Shell in 1989, and Stabler in 2016, were both inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.
"The Heidi Game"
Thanksgiving Day
HC: John Rauch
Ast: John Polonchek (RB), Ollie Spencer (OL), Tom Dahms (DL), John Madden (LB), Charlie Sumner (DB), Marv Marinovich (Str)
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