Super Bowl XVIII
The Raiders' last Super Bowl win, a 38–9 rout of the Redskins in Tampa.
Super Bowl XVIII was an American football game played on January 22, 1984, at Tampa Stadium between the National Football Conference (NFC) champion and defending Super Bowl XVII champion Washington Redskins and the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Los Angeles Raiders to determine the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1983 season. The Raiders defeated the Redskins, 38–9. The Raiders' 38 points scored and 29-point margin of victory broke Super Bowl records; it remains the most points scored by an AFC team in a Super Bowl, later matched by the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII. This is the first time the city of Tampa hosted the Super Bowl and was the AFC's last Super Bowl win until Super Bowl XXXII in 1998, won by the Denver Broncos.
- Location
- Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
- Final Score
- Raiders 38–9 Washington
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The Redskins entered the game as the defending Super Bowl XVII champions, finished the 1983 regular season with a league-best 14–2 record, led the league in fewest rushing yards allowed, and set a then-NFL record in scoring with 541 points. The Raiders posted a 12–4 regular-season record in 1983, their second in Los Angeles, having moved there from Oakland in May 1982. The Raiders dominated Super Bowl XVIII outgaining the Redskins in total yards, 385 to 283, and built a 21–3 halftime lead, aided by touchdowns on Derrick Jensen's blocked punt recovery, and Jack Squirek's 5-yard interception return on a screen pass with seven seconds left in the first half. This is also the second out of five Super Bowls where the winning team outscored the losing team in every quarter. Los Angeles' defense also sacked Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann six times and intercepted him twice. Raiders halfback Marcus Allen, who became the third Heisman Trophy winner to be named the Super Bowl MVP, carried the ball 20 times for a then-record total of 191 yards (breaking the previous record of 166 yards set by John Riggins in Super Bowl XVII the year before) and two touchdowns, including a then-record 74-yard run in the third quarter. He also caught 2 passes for 18 yards. Allen was the first running back who was a halfback to be named Most Valuable Player. All previous running backs who won the MVP were fullbacks.
In Their Own Story
The source records that the Raiders won their next three Super Bowl appearances in Super Bowl XI, Super Bowl XV, and Super Bowl XVIII. The final score reflected a total dominance by the Raiders, who defeated Washington 38–9. The victory contributed to the franchise's tally of three Super Bowl titles, distinct from their single AFL championship won in 1967 prior to the 1970 merger. Unlike their first Super Bowl appearance where they lost in Super Bowl II, this third appearance resulted in a decisive win. The event occurred while the team was still operating as the Los Angeles Raiders, a period that lasted until 1994.
Reader's Guide
The telecast of the game on CBS was seen by an estimated 77.62 million viewers. The broadcast was notable for airing the famous '1984' television commercial, introducing the Apple Macintosh. The NFL highlight film of this game was the final voiceover work for famous NFL narrator John Facenda. As of the 2025 season, this is the Raiders' most recent Super Bowl championship, and it was also the only time that a Los Angeles–based team had won the Super Bowl until their then cross-town rival Los Angeles Rams won Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California in 2022.
Did You Know?
- The Raiders' 38 points scored and 29-point margin of victory broke Super Bowl records.
- Marcus Allen's 191 rushing yards broke the previous Super Bowl record of 166 yards set by John Riggins in Super Bowl XVII.
- This was the first Super Bowl to be played in Florida in a city other than Miami.
- The broadcast featured the famous '1984' commercial introducing the Apple Macintosh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Super Bowl XVIII played?
The contest occurred at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum during January of 1984. This neutral site hosted the Raiders as they sought another championship ring.
What was the final score against Washington?
The team secured a decisive victory with a final tally of 38–9 over Washington. The lopsided margin highlighted their dominance throughout the entire game.
How many championships did this win bring to the franchise?
This triumph marked the third Super Bowl title in the organization's history, following victories in XI and XV. It completed a historic trio of rings that defined an era for the team.
Who coached the Raiders during this championship game?
Tom Flores served as the head coach who guided the squad to their victory on the field. He made history by becoming the first African American head coach to win a Super Bowl title.
Why do fans consider this game iconic today?
It represents one of the most dominant performances in franchise history before subsequent location changes took place. The memory of this win remains central to the identity of the Silver and Black.
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