THE AFL 1960–69: A RETROSPECTIVE

Just Win, Baby

That became the mantra of the Raiders and in 1967, no team did that more than league champion Oakland

Oakland’s offense was dynamic in 1967, but Ben Davidson and the Raiders defense was equally responsible for the team’s first AFL championship.

The AFL had built its fan base largely on the exciting offensive styles the majority of its teams played, but even the wide-open AFL was shocked by what took place in 1967.

The league literally exploded as stars such as Joe Namath, Jim Nance, Lance Alworth, and Daryle Lamonica thrilled the largest crowds in league history with their smorgasbord of eye-popping runs, passes and catches.

Lamonica became the hottest story in the league as he came to Oakland in a major trade from Buffalo and led the Raiders to a 13–1 record and an AFL Championship Game victory over Houston. Along the way, Lamonica threw for 3,228 yards and 30 touchdowns and beat out Namath for all-league honors at quarterback, quite an accomplishment considering that Namath became the first player in pro football history to pass for 4,000 yards in a single season.

Lamonica and receiver Glenn Bass came west to Oakland in exchange for quarterback Tom Flores and receiver Art Powell plus a swap of draft choices, and though Bass didn’t make the Raiders roster, Oakland clearly bested Buffalo in the deal. Lamonica’s proclivity for the long…