Broncos top 10: Raiders rivalry moments

During the Broncos’ 50th season, The Gazette will look back at some of the most memorable moments, players, games and plays over the team’s history, counting down a top 10 list every Sunday during the season.

10. Shanahan fired: When Oakland fired Mike Shanahan, below, in 1989, Al Davis didn’t know he added fuel to the Broncos rivalry. Shanahan, who was always upset over a large sum of money he said Davis owed him, had a 21-7 career record against Oakland.

9. Snow shocker: During a Sunday night game in 2004, the Broncos had a lead and a blizzard on its side. But Kerry Collins rallied the Raiders and they blocked a late field goal by Jason Elam for the win.  

8. A fad is born: Sebastian Janikowski gave the Raiders an apparent overtime win with a long field goal in 2007. But Shanahan called a timeout moments before the kick. Janikowski missed the second attempt and Denver ended up winning.

7. Napoleon complex: In 1997, the Broncos were 6-0 going to Oakland. Raiders running back Napoleon Kaufman rushed for 227 yards to upset the eventual Super Bowl champions.

6. Snowball fight: Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson allegedly threw a snowball in the crowd and offensive tackle Lincoln Kennedy tried to fight some fans after being hit with a snowball after a Broncos overtime win in 1999 at Mile High Stadium.

5. Sharpe hurt: A feud between former teammates Shannon Sharpe and Bill Romanowski turned ugly when Romanowski, with the Raiders, wrestled on the ground with Sharpe at the end of an incompletion in 2002 and dislocated Sharpe’s elbow.

4. Big tie: One of the first great moments for the franchise came when kicker Jim Turner booted a game-tying field goal in a 1973 “Monday Night Football” game and the Broncos tied the Raiders 23-23.

3. Moses down the sideline: In the first quarter of the 1977 AFC Championship Game against Oakland, receiver Haven Moses’ 74-yard touchdown gave the Broncos a 7-3 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

2. The taunt: Perhaps no legend in the rivalry has lasted longer than a quote from Broncos linebacker Tom Jackson. With the Broncos beating the Raiders in the 1977 season, Jackson told Raiders coach John Madden, “It’s all over, fat man!”

1. Controversial call: Broncos running back Rob Lytle fumbled in the 1977 AFC Championship Game against the Raiders. The only problem was the officials ruled it was still Denver’s ball. The Broncos went on to win and go to the Super Bowl.