Super Bowl History: Super Bowl XI

Super Bowl XI was played on January 9th, 1977, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The game featured the Oakland Raiders, who finished the 1976 season with a 13-1 record, against the Minnesota Vikings, who finished the season with an 11-2-1 record.

The Raiders, led by head coach John Madden and quarterback Ken Stabler, had a strong playoff run, defeating the New England Patriots, 24-21, in the divisional round and the Pittsburgh Steelers, 24-7, in the AFC Championship game. This was the second Super Bowl appearance for the Raiders after losing to the Packers in Super Bowl II.

The Vikings, led by head coach Bud Grant and quarterback Fran Tarkenton, also had a strong playoff run, defeating the Washington Redskins, 24-13, in the divisional round and the Los Angeles Rams, 14-7, in the NFC Championship game. This was the fourth Super Bowl appearance for the Vikings in a decade and they had lost the previous three.

Super Bowl XI outcome

In Super Bowl XI, the Raiders dominated the Vikings, winning 32-14. Oakland running back Clarence Davis rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, but missed out on the MVP award, which went to wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff. The Raiders' defense also played a strong game, holding the Vikings to under 100 rushing yards and intercepting Fran Tarkenton twice.

The Raiders' victory in Super Bowl XI was a significant moment in franchise history as it marked their first Super Bowl win, and the team's balanced defensive and offensive performance were key factors in their win. However, the Vikings once again couldn't secure a victory despite being strong competitors in the playoffs, falling short on their fourth Super Bowl appearance.