On January 9, 1977: The Oakland Raiders make a mockery of Minnesota quarterback Fran Tarkenton’s pregame “guarantee” speech by making a mockery of the Vikings’ vaunted defensive line. Pounding away inside defensive ends Carl Eller and Jim Marshall, the blocking of Art Shell and Gene Upshaw enables the Raiders to run for 266 yards in their 32-14 rout in Super Bowl XI in Pasadena. “You’re tougher than (defensive tackle) Alan Page,” says Upshaw to a tall, thin, 40something reporter. Clarence Davis leads the Oakland rushing attack with 137 yards. Quarterback Ken Stabler completes 12-of-19 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown to Dave Casper. Wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff is named MVP for catching four passes for 79 yards. “We had tougher games in the AFC than we did today,” says John Madden, a winner in his only Super Bowl as head coach.
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