Super Bowl XVIII (1984): Los Angeles Raiders Defeat Washington Redskins 38–9
Super Bowl XVIII (1984): Los Angeles Raiders Defeat Washington Redskins 38–9
Super Bowl XVIII was played on January 22, 1984, at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Los Angeles Raiders produced one of the most dominant performances in Super Bowl history, defeating the defending champion Washington Redskins 38–9.
The Raiders entered the game as underdogs but overwhelmed Washington with explosive plays on offense, special teams, and defense. Los Angeles built a commanding lead and never allowed the Redskins to establish any momentum.
Key Facts
- Date: January 22, 1984
- Super Bowl: XVIII
- Venue: Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida
- Winner: Los Angeles Raiders
- Loser: Washington Redskins
- Final Score: Raiders 38, Redskins 9
- Head Coach (Raiders): Tom Flores
- Head Coach (Redskins): Joe Gibbs
- MVP: Marcus Allen, Running Back, Los Angeles Raiders
- Attendance: 72,920
Marcus Allen’s Historic MVP Display
Marcus Allen delivered one of the greatest individual performances in Super Bowl history. He rushed for 191 yards on 20 carries and scored two touchdowns, setting a Super Bowl rushing record that stood for many years.
His unforgettable 74-yard touchdown run in the third quarter became one of the defining plays in NFL championship history and effectively ended Washington’s hopes of a comeback.
Raiders Dominate the Defending Champions
The Raiders set the tone early when linebacker Jack Squirek intercepted a pass from Joe Theismann and returned it for a touchdown just before halftime. Combined with a strong defensive effort and big plays from Allen, Los Angeles controlled every phase of the game.
Quarterback Jim Plunkett efficiently managed the offense, while the defense limited one of the NFL’s highest-scoring teams to just nine points.
Legacy of Super Bowl XVIII
The victory gave the Raiders their third Super Bowl championship and cemented Tom Flores’ reputation as one of the NFL’s most successful coaches. Flores became the first Hispanic head coach to win multiple Super Bowls.
For Washington, the defeat was a disappointing end to a season in which the Redskins had entered the championship game as strong favorites after posting one of the league’s best records.