Today in 1986 - Los Angeles Raiders vs Denver Broncos

September 7, 1986 – Today in 1986, the Denver Broncos took on the Los Angeles Raiders in Week 1 at Mile High Stadium in Denver.

In the first quarter, Denver got on the board with a 35 yard touchdown pass from John Elway to Steve Watson.  Los Angeles responded with a 24 yard touchdown pass from Marc Wilson to Marcus Allen.  The score was tied 7-7.

The Raiders scored again on a 16 yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Todd Christensen and Greg Townsend sacked Elway in the end zone for a safety.  The score was now 16-7.

In the second quarter, Chris Bahr added to the Raiders’ lead by kicking a 43 yard field goal.  The score was 19-7.  The Broncos helped their cause on a 23 yard touchdown pass from Elway to Steve Sewell and brought the score to 19-14.  Bahr kicked a 42 yard field goal and it was a two score game once again, 22-14.  But Denver made it a one point game on a 1 yard touchdown run by Gene Lang.  Los Angeles led 22-21 at halftime.

The Raiders made it an 8 point game again in the third quarter on a 2 yard touchdown run by Allen.  Ken Woodard had a fumble recovery for a touchdown and the game close again at 29-28.  Los Angeles responded on a 57 yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Rod Barksdale.  The score was 36-28.

In the fourth quarter, Rich Karlis kicked a 51 yard field goal, making the score 36-21.  John Elway sealed the deal with a 7 yard touchdown pass to Lang.  Denver won 38-36.

Wilson passed 20-33 346 yards and 3 TDs.  Marcus Allen rushed 24-102 TD and caught 6 passes for 102 yards and a TD.  Elway passed 21-35 239 yards and 2 TDs.

Notables

• There were 4 Hall of Famers playing in this game: Howie Long, Michael Haynes, and Marcus Allen for the Raiders, and John Elway for the Broncos
• ESPN’s Tom Jackson was playing in his last season for Denver.  He played for the Broncos from 1973-86.
• This was Dan Reeves’ sixth season coaching the Broncos.  He coached the team from 1981-92 and led them to three Super Bowl appearances.  He led the Atlanta Falcons to the Super Bowl in 1998 and lost to his old team, the Denver Broncos.
• Future Bronco head coach Mike Shanahan was the offensive coordinator that year.  He was Denver’s head coach for both of their Super Bowl wins.
• This was Tom Flores’ eighth season coaching the Raiders.  He coached the team from 1979-87 and led them to two Super Bowl championships. 
• Flores was a quarterback for the Raiders from 1960-66.
• Reeves was a running back for the Dallas Cowboys from 1965-72.  He never faced Flores as a player.

The Denver Broncos will once again host the Oakland Raiders in a Week 1 game.  Unlike the 1986 game, this one is on Monday night.

Game stats and other data can be found on Pro-Football-Reference.com at Los Angeles Raiders vs Denver Broncos - September 7, 1986.