1976–77 NFL playoffs
The National Football League playoffs for the 1976 season began on December 18, 1976. The postseason tournament concluded with the Oakland Raiders defeating the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI, 32–14, on January 9, 1977, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Participants
Within each conference, the three division winners and one wild card team (the top non-division winner with the best overall regular season records) qualified for the playoffs. The three division winners were seeded 1 through 3 based on their overall won-lost-tied record, and the wild card team was seeded 4. The first round, the divisional playoffs, had a restriction where two teams from the same division could not meet: the surviving wild card team visited the division champion outside its own division that had the higher seed, and the remaining two teams from that conference played each other.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Participants
The two surviving teams from each conference's divisional playoff games then meet in the respective AFC and NFC Conference Championship games, hosted by the higher seed. Although the Super Bowl, the third and final round of the playoffs, was played at a neutral site, the designated home team was based on an annual rotation by conference.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Schedule
Christmas fell on a Saturday in 1976. In order to avoid scheduling playoff games on the holiday, the regular season opened a week earlier than normal (September 12, the second Sunday of the month, rather than the customary third Sunday) so that the Divisional Playoffs could be held on December 18 and 19 instead of December 25 and 26, and thus no games would be needed on Christmas Day. The conference championship games were played Sunday, December 26, and Super Bowl XI was played on January 9, the earliest date in Super Bowl history.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Schedule
Due to the at-the-time Maryland state law that prohibited Baltimore Colts home games from starting no earlier than 2:00 p.m. EST on Sundays, the two divisional playoff games on Sunday, December 19 were pushed to 2:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. EST.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Schedule
In the United States, CBS televised the NFC playoff games, while NBC broadcast the AFC games and Super Bowl XI.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 35, Washington Redskins 20
The Vikings jumped to a 35–6 lead by the end of the third quarter, led by running backs Chuck Foreman and Brent McClanahan who each rushed for more than 100 yards.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 35, Washington Redskins 20
McClanahan's career-long 41-yard run on Minnesota's first play of the game set up quarterback Fran Tarkenton's 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end Stu Voigt. Washington defensive back Eddie Brown gave his team some early scoring opportunities with big special teams plays, first returning the kickoff 26 yards to the 38-yard line, and later returning a punt 17 yards to the Vikings 45. But the team was unable to capitalize.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 35, Washington Redskins 20
All they could do after the kickoff return was go three-and-out, and on the first play after his big punt return, Billy Kilmer threw a pass that was intercepted by Bobby Bryant. Now momentum seemed slipping away, but on the first play after Bryant's pick, Washington took the ball right back with an interception by safety Jake Scott, who returned it 17 yards to the Minnesota 34-yard line.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 35, Washington Redskins 20
Three plays later, Mark Moseley kicked a 47-yard field goal that cut the Washington deficit to 7-3. Later in the quarter, Minnesota drove 66 yards and scored when Tarkenton threw a 27-yard pass to Sammy White. Safety Ken Houston deflected the ball, but it still bounced to White, who made a diving juggling catch for a touchdown to put the Vikings up 14-3. By the end of the first quarter, the Vikings had gained 143 yards, while holding Washington to 18 yards and no first downs.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 35, Washington Redskins 20
The situation only got worse for Washington in the second quarter. A promising drive for them into Vikings territory ended with no points when Moseley missed a 51-yard field goal attempt. Minnesota then drove 66 yards, featuring a 35-yard completion from Tarkenton to Ahmad Rashad, to score on Foreman's 2-yard touchdown run, putting them up 21-3. The Redskins next drive ended with an interception by Vikings defensive back Nate Wright. On the next play, Houston intercepted the ball from Tarkenton and returned it 8 yards to the Vikings 38.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 35, Washington Redskins 20
But Minnesota was unable to move the ball and had to punt. In the final seconds of the half, Washington had a chance for a touchdown with a deep throw from Kilmer to receiver Frank Grant. Grant had broken open in the end zone, but was unable to make the catch and the pass fell incomplete.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 35, Washington Redskins 20
Washington had to punt on the first drive of the second half, and Leonard Willis returned it 10 yards to the Vikings 48, where Minnesota proceeded to drive to a 28-3 lead on a 30-yard touchdown burst by Foreman. This time the Redskins were able to respond, converting a 20-yard catch by tight end Jean Fugett, a 20-yard run by Mike Thomas, and a 10-yard reception by fullback John Riggins into a 35-yard Moseley field goal, making the score 28-6. But after this, the Vikings drove 77 yards and scored on a 9-yard pass from Tarkenton to White. By the time Kilmer completed two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, the game was already out of reach.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 35, Washington Redskins 20
This was the second postseason meeting between the Redskins and Vikings, with Minnesota won the only previous meeting.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, New England Patriots 21
The Raiders stormed into the 1976 playoffs in dominant form, with an NFL-best 13–1 record. However, their only loss of the season was to New England, a brutal 48-17 thrashing in week 4. New England finished the year with an 11–3 record, a spectacular turnaround after going 3-11 the previous season, to make their first playoff appearance since 1963.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, New England Patriots 21
The Raiders overcame an 11-point fourth quarter deficit to win on quarterback Ken Stabler's 1-yard touchdown run with 14 seconds left in the game.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, New England Patriots 21
Raiders return man Neal Colzie gave his team an early scoring opportunity by returning a New England punt 24 yards to the Pats 46-yard line. Oakland was unable to move the ball, and despite a solid Ray Guy punt that pinned the Patriots back at their own 14-yard line, their defense could not stop them from driving 86 yards in 10 plays to take a 7-0 lead on Andy Johnson's 1-yard rushing touchdown.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, New England Patriots 21
The key plays of the drive were a spectacular one-handed 48-yard catch by tight end Russ Francis on 3rd down and 7 from the Patriots 33-yard line, and a 24-yard 3rd down reception by receiver Darryl Stingley. On Oakland's next possession, Stabler's completions to Fred Biletnikoff and Cliff Branch for gains of 22 and 17 yards set up Errol Mann's 40-yard field goal, making the score 7-3 with 1:14 left in the first quarter.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, New England Patriots 21
The score would not change until near the end of the second quarter, after Oakland defensive back Skip Thomas made a clutch interception in his own red zone from Francis on an option play, and returned it 18 yards to the Raiders 24. Oakland subsequently drove 76 yards in 8 plays to score on Stabler's 31-yard touchdown pass to Biletnikoff with 45 seconds left in the half, giving the Raiders a 10-7 halftime lead.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, New England Patriots 21
New England regrouped in the second half. After forcing Oakland to punt on their opening drive, Grogan led the Patriots 80 yards in 9 plays to score on his 26-yard touchdown completion to Francis.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, New England Patriots 21
The Raiders had to punt again on their next possession, and New England got the ball with good field position on their own 45, where they drove 55 yards in 10 plays (aided by an offsides penalty on linebacker Ted Hendricks that allowed them to keep possession after a punt play) to go up 21-10 on Jess Phillips' 3-yard rushing touchdown with 1:13 left in the third period.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, New England Patriots 21
Oakland responded by driving 70 yards in 8 plays. Stabler was a perfect 5/5 passing on the drive, including a 17-yard completion to Biletnikoff on the last play of the third quarter, as the team cut their deficit to 21-17 on running back Mark Van Eeghen's 1-yard touchdown run. After an exchange of punts, New England got the ball on their own 48 with a huge chance to increase their lead or run out the clock to win the game.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, New England Patriots 21
After driving to the Raiders 28, Grogan appeared to pick up a first down on a QB sneak, but it was nullified by an offsides penalty against fullback Sam Cunningham. Cunningham was then stuffed on a draw during the next play. Now on 4th down, the Patriots decided to gamble on a 50-yard field goal attempt by John Smith, but his kick was no good, giving the ball back to Oakland with good field position and 4:12 left on the clock.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, New England Patriots 21
Stabler then led the Raiders 68 yards for the game-winning score. Several key completions, including a 12-yard catch by Branch and a 21-yard reception by tight end Dave Casper, gave the team a first down on the Patriots 28-yard line. But on the next play, Stabler was sacked for an 8-yard loss by DT Mel Lunsford. After an incompletion, Oakland faced 3rd and 18 on the 36-yard line.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, New England Patriots 21
Stabler threw an incomplete pass on the next play, but it was eliminated by a controversial roughing the passer penalty called by referee Ben Dreith on nose tackle Ray "Sugar Bear" Hamilton, giving Oakland a first down on the Pats 13 with 57 seconds remaining. Following a 5-yard catch by Casper and a 4-yard run by Clarence Davis, a personal foul penalty on safety Prentice McCray brought up first and goal at the 1-yard line.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, New England Patriots 21
Now with time running out, Stabler faked a handoff to running back Pete Banaszak, who was stuffed at the line of scrimmage, and rolled to the left. Led by guard Gene Upshaw, Stabler dove into the end zone with 14 seconds left to give the Raiders a 24-21 lead. Linebacker Monte Johnson then sealed the win with an interception on the last play of the game.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, New England Patriots 21
Biletnikoff finished the game with 9 receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown. Francis had 4 catches for 96 yards and a score. Stabler completed 19/32 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown, with no interceptions, and scored a rushing touchdown as well.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, New England Patriots 21
Penalties played a huge role in the game. New England had 10 penalties, while the Raiders had 11. "That was one of the worst-called games I have ever seen in my life," said an angry Patriots DE Julius Adams. "I just hope they were right", Patriots coach Chuck Fairbanks said about the roughing the passer call against Ray Hamilton on Oakland's game-winning drive. "It looked to me like Ray Hamilton hit the ball first. If he did deflect the ball, it was an incorrect call." Later on, he added "I’m proud of my team and the way we played today. We’re going home knowing we played our hearts out."


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, New England Patriots 21
"That's what you say," said Raiders Coach John Madden when the Pats' complaints were brought to his attention by a writer. "If you could sit there for 60 minutes and say the officials turned that game around with penalties at the end, you were wasting your time. You were eating a hot dog somewhere instead of watching what was going on. There was some great football out there."


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Saturday, December 18, 1976, AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, New England Patriots 21
This was the first postseason meeting between the Patriots and Raiders.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, December 19, 1976, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 40, Baltimore Colts 14
The Steelers, who lost four of their first five games during the season, dominated the Colts with 526 yards of total offense, while limiting Baltimore to only 170. Quarterback Terry Bradshaw completed 14 of 18 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns, including a 76-yard one to Frank Lewis on the third play of the game, giving him the first perfect 158.3 passer rating in NFL playoff history. Steelers running back Franco Harris racked up 132 rushing yards on 18 carries, and caught 3 passes for 24 yards, despite leaving the game with an injury early in the third quarter.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, December 19, 1976, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 40, Baltimore Colts 14
Lewis' touchdown catch and a 45-yard Roy Gerela field goal gave the Steelers are early 9-0 lead. The Colts made it 9-7 late in the first period with Bert Jones' 17-yard touchdown pass to Roger Carr, but Theo Bell's 60-yard kickoff return set up a 32-yard drive to get the Steelers up 16-7 on Reggie Harrison's 1-yard touchdown run. Following a punt, they blew a scoring chance when Harrison lost a fumble at the Colts 2-yard line. But they soon made up for it with two scores in the final minute of the half. After getting the ball back, Bradshaw put the Steelers ahead 23-7 with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Lynn Swann. Then Glen Edwards intercepted a pass from Jones and returned it 26 yards to set up a 25-yard Gerela field goal that gave Pittsburgh a 26-7 halftime lead.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, December 19, 1976, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 40, Baltimore Colts 14
In the third quarter, The Colts had an odd drive in which they gained only 36 net yards in 13 plays. They faced an early 3rd and 6, but a sack on Jones was eliminated by a holding penalty that gave them a first down. Then Lydell Mitchell appeared to lose a fumble, but officials ruled him down by contact before he lost the ball. David Lee soon came on to punt, but a roughing the kicker penalty on Larry Brown allowed them to keep the ball again.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, December 19, 1976, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 40, Baltimore Colts 14
The drive finally ended with a turnover on downs at the Steelers 32, and Pittsburgh went on to drive 68 yards in 11 plays, scoring on Bradshaw's 11-yard touchdown pass to Swann. Now with a 33-7 fourth quarter lead, all that remained would be a touchdown from each team, a 1-yard run by Roosevelt Leaks and a 9-yard score by Harrison.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, December 19, 1976, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 40, Baltimore Colts 14
Less than ten minutes after the conclusion of the game, a small charter plane crashed into the upper deck at Memorial Stadium. There were no deaths or injuries in the accident.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, December 19, 1976, AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 40, Baltimore Colts 14
This was the second postseason meeting between the Steelers and Colts. Pittsburgh won last year's meeting.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, December 19, 1976, NFC: Los Angeles Rams 14, Dallas Cowboys 12
The Rams overcame two blocked punts by the Cowboys to come away with a 14–12 win in a defense dominated physical game.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, December 19, 1976, NFC: Los Angeles Rams 14, Dallas Cowboys 12
Dallas opened the scoring with a 44-yard field goal, but Los Angeles responded with quarterback Pat Haden's 4-yard touchdown run. Late in the first half, Charlie Waters blocked a punt to set up running back Scott Laidlaw's 1-yard touchdown to give the Cowboys a 10–7 lead. Early in the final period, Rams kicker Tom Dempsey made what would have been a game-tying field goal, but Cliff Harris was called for a running into the kicker penalty on the play. The usually conservative Ram coach Chuck Knox uncharacteristically took the points off the board, giving Los Angeles a first down.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, December 19, 1976, NFC: Los Angeles Rams 14, Dallas Cowboys 12
A few plays later, Lawrence McCutcheon vindicated Knox's decision as he ran for a one-yard touchdown to give the Rams the lead, 14–10. With 1:59 remaining in the game, Waters blocked another punt and the Cowboys recovered the ball at the Los Angeles 17-yard line. On first down, Butch Johnson's reception was ruled incomplete because he could only get one foot down in bounds in the end zone.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, December 19, 1976, NFC: Los Angeles Rams 14, Dallas Cowboys 12
After two more incompletions, Staubach completed a pass to tight end Billy Joe DuPree at the 8, but he was immediately tackled by safeties Bill Simpson and Dave Elmendorf 1 yard short of the first down marker, causing a turnover on downs. After three "kneel downs" and Cowboy time outs, the Rams faced a 4th and 14 with seconds left in the game. Wary of another blocked punt, Coach Knox ordered Ram punter Rusty Jackson to step out of the back of the end zone for an intentional safety, and the Rams won 14–12.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, December 19, 1976, NFC: Los Angeles Rams 14, Dallas Cowboys 12
"We said there was just no way they were getting into the end zone after they blocked that punt," said Simpson (a college teammate of DuPree at Michigan State University) after the game. We've come through too far and gone through too much. Staubach went to the wide receivers twice before, and we figured he'd go to DuPree. We both dove for him the moment Staubach threw. I think I got a hand on the ball. We had to play him tough. Goddamn it was the whole season on one play. That stuff happened to us too much in the past. We're going all the way this time."


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, December 19, 1976, NFC: Los Angeles Rams 14, Dallas Cowboys 12
"Where the official marked the ball wasn't where I caught it", DuPree protested after the game. "That play was designed to get 10 yards."


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, December 19, 1976, NFC: Los Angeles Rams 14, Dallas Cowboys 12
The Ram defense held Dallas to only 85 rushing yards; Dallas' defense was equally stingy, allowing 120 rushing yards but the Rams needed 49 attempts to achieve this. Constant Ram pressure caused Staubach to have one of his worst playoff games ever as he was 15 of 37 for 150 yards; he was sacked 4 times and threw 3 interceptions. In addition, Staubach, who had hurt the Rams the year before with his scrambling runs, gained only 8 yards rushing. Ram QB Pat Haden couldn't do much better vs. Dallas' tough defense; he was 10 for 21 for 152 yards and also threw 3 interceptions.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Divisional playoffs, Sunday, December 19, 1976, NFC: Los Angeles Rams 14, Dallas Cowboys 12
This was the third postseason meeting between the Rams and Cowboys, with Dallas winning both previous meetings.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, December 26, 1976, AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 7
Pittsburgh had defeated the Raiders in the AFC championship game in each of the last two seasons. But with Steelers running backs Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier out of the game with injuries, this time the Raiders easily shut down Pittsburgh's offense.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, December 26, 1976, AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 7
Late in the first quarter, Bobby Walden's rushed punt went just 19 yards and gave Oakland the ball at the Steelers 38, setting up Errol Mann's 39-yard field goal. Then in the second quarter, Raiders linebacker Willie Hall intercepted a pass from Terry Bradshaw and returned it 25 yards to the Steelers 1-yard line. Three plays later,  Clarence Davis' 1-yard touchdown run gave them a 10-0 lead. Although the game would end up as a defensive struggle with both teams combining for 14 punts (7 each) and only 457 yards (237 for Pittsburgh, 220 for Oakland), Hall's interception would be the only turnover of the day for either team.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, December 26, 1976, AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 7
The Steelers responded with Bradshaw's completions to Lynn Swann for gains of 18 and 30 yards leading to Reggie Harrison's 3-yard rushing touchdown. Oakland responded with a methodical 14-play, 69-yard scoring drive. With 19 seconds left in the first half, the Raiders faced first down at the Pittsburgh 4-yard line following a 16-yard burst by Clarence Davis. Oakland lined up three tight ends as if they were to run the ball, but quarterback Ken Stabler threw a play action pass to Warren Bankston for a touchdown to give the Raiders a 17–7 lead at halftime. Oakland controlled the entire second half, including a 12-play, 63-yard drive that featured a 28-yard completion from Stabler to receiver Cliff Branch. Stabler finished the drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Pete Banaszak that put the game out of reach at 24-7.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, December 26, 1976, AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 7
The Raiders would not host another AFC Title game in Oakland again until 2000 (although they hosted the title game in 1983 when they were the Los Angeles Raiders).


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, December 26, 1976, AFC: Oakland Raiders 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 7
This was the fifth overall postseason meeting between the Steelers and Raiders, with Pittsburgh winning three of the previous four meetings. This is an NFL record for consecutive years to teams have met in the postseason. This was also the last conference championship game contested in December.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, December 26, 1976, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 24, Los Angeles Rams 13
The Vikings forced a blocked field goal, a blocked punt, and two interceptions en route to the victory over the Rams. On offense, running back Chuck Foreman rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown on just 15 carries while also catching 5 passes for 81 yards.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, December 26, 1976, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 24, Los Angeles Rams 13
In the first quarter, the Rams got off to a good start as they marched down the field to the Viking 2-yard line. The drive stalled there, and coach Chuck Knox, recalling the NFC championship game in Minnesota two years ago (when the Rams were intercepted in the end zone after driving to the Viking 2-yard line) ordered a field goal attempt. Nate Allen blocked the field goal attempt, and the ball bounced off the ground right into the waiting arms of Bobby Bryant, who returned it 90 yards for a Minnesota touchdown. The first quarter ended with the Rams dominating the stat sheet. They had run 22 plays for 89 yards and 7 first downs, while holding the Vikings to 5 plays, one first down, and 17 yards, but they still trailed 7-0.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, December 26, 1976, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 24, Los Angeles Rams 13
In the second quarter, linebacker Matt Blair blocked and recovered a punt on the Rams 10-yard line to set up Fred Cox's 25-yard field goal to give the Vikings a 10–0 lead before halftime. Then in the third period, Foreman rushed 62 yards to the Los Angeles 2-yard line, and scored on a 1-yard touchdown run two plays later to increase the lead 17–0.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, December 26, 1976, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 24, Los Angeles Rams 13
The Rams rallied back with two quick touchdowns in the third quarter. After a chance to put the game away was wiped out by Monte Jackson's interception of a Tarkenton pass in the end zone, Pat Haden led the Rams on an 80-yard drive highlighted by a 40-yard pass to Harold Jackson, and culminating in a 10-yard touchdown run by Lawrence McCutcheon. Rams kicker Tom Dempsey missed the extra point. Dempsey had missed nine extra points during the season.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, December 26, 1976, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 24, Los Angeles Rams 13
Announcers Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier speculated that Haden was feeling pressure on this drive because Knox had James Harris warming up on the sidelines. On the Vikings' next drive, Fred Dryer hit Fran Tarkenton on a sack, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Jack Youngblood at the Viking 8-yard line. Three plays later, Haden hit Jackson for a 5-yard touchdown pass.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, December 26, 1976, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 24, Los Angeles Rams 13
Late in the fourth quarter, the Vikings defense snuffed out two big chances for LA to take the lead. With 7 minutes left, the Rams drove to a third down on the Vikings 33, but Minnesota linebacker Wally Hilgenberg sacked Haden and forced a punt. With 2:40 left in the game, Los Angeles advanced to the Minnesota 39-yard line. On fourth down and needing more than a field goal, Haden thought he had Jackson open deep near the goal line, but Bryant intercepted the pass (his second of the game) rather than batting it down. A few plays later, Tarkenton dumped a short pass off to Foreman, which he turned into a 57-yard gain. Foreman was injured on the play, but backup running back Sammy Johnson scored the clinching touchdown from 12 yards out.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, December 26, 1976, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 24, Los Angeles Rams 13
This turned out to be the last playoff game at Metropolitan Stadium. The Vikings played four playoff games between 1977 and 1981, all on the road. Minnesota's next home playoff game came after the strike-shortened 1982 season, the Vikings' first in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. They would next host an outdoor home playoff game in January 2016.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, December 26, 1976, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 24, Los Angeles Rams 13
To date, this is the most recent NFC Championship that the Vikings have won.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Conference Championships, Sunday, December 26, 1976, NFC: Minnesota Vikings 24, Los Angeles Rams 13
This was the third postseason meeting between the Rams and Vikings, with Minnesota winning both previous meetings.


1976–77 NFL playoffs, Super Bowl XI: Oakland Raiders 32, Minnesota Vikings 14
This was the first postseason meeting between the Raiders and Vikings.


1976–77 NHL season
The 1976–77 NHL season was the 60th season of the National Hockey League. The Kansas City Scouts moved to Denver, Colorado, and became the Colorado Rockies and the California Golden Seals moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and became the Cleveland Barons. The Montreal Canadiens once again dominated the playoffs as, for the second straight year, they swept their opponent four games to none in the final series for the Stanley Cup.


1976–77 NHL season, League business
Two teams would relocate: The Kansas City Scouts moved to Denver, Colorado, and became the Colorado Rockies and the California Golden Seals moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and became the Cleveland Barons. The last time a relocation had occurred was when the original Ottawa Senators had relocated in 1934 to become the St. Louis Eagles. Instability and the poor performances of the Washington Capitals and the Scouts since the 1974 expansion caused the league to shelve an expansion to Denver and Seattle that had been proposed for this season.


1976–77 NHL season, League business
This season was Clarence Campbell's last as NHL President. He would be succeeded by John Ziegler.


1976–77 NHL season, Regular season
The previous season saw the Montreal Canadiens set new records in wins and points. Both of those records were broken again by the Canadiens this season as, with the highest points percentage in post-expansion NHL history (.825), they had 60 wins and 132 points. Their home record was 33 wins, 1 loss, and 6 ties. Scoring two hundred goals more than they allowed, the Canadiens were a full 20 points ahead of the second-place Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers, however, were swept in four straight games by the third-place Boston Bruins in the semi-finals. The Bruins were in turn swept by the Canadiens in four straight in the finals.


1976–77 NHL season, Regular season
On February 2, 1977, Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Ian Turnbull became the first player in NHL history to score five goals on five shots.


1976–77 NHL season, Playoffs
The New York Islanders won six consecutive games before the semifinal and were the only team from the preliminary round to make it to the semifinals, where they lost to the first-ranked, defending champion and eventual champion Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens swept the St. Louis Blues, dispatched the Islanders in six to reach the final. The losses to the Islanders were the Canadiens' only losses of their playoff run. Second-ranked Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in the quarterfinals, before being swept by the third-ranked Boston Bruins in the semifinals.


1976–77 NHL season, Playoffs, Playoff structure
For the 1976–77 Stanley Cup playoff tournament, the top three teams in each division were awarded playoff berths. These twelve teams were then ranked 1 through 12 according to their regular season records, regardless of divisional affiliation. The four division winners automatically qualified for the quarterfinals, while the remaining eight teams (2nd and 3rd place teams in each division) played a preliminary round. For the preliminary round, the top-ranked non-division winner played the twelfth-ranked team, the second top ranked non-division winner played the eleventh-ranked team, the third ranked non-division winner played the third-lowest ranked non-division winner.


1976–77 NHL season, Playoffs, Playoff structure
(This did not necessarily have to be the tenth-ranked team, as it was possible for a tenth-ranked team to win its division. In fact, St. Louis did win the Smythe Division as the tenth-ranked playoff team.) The remaining two non-division winners formed the final preliminary round pairing. The preliminary round consisted of a best-of-three series with the first game played on the home ice of the higher-ranked team, and the second game on the home ice of the lower-ranked team. If a third and deciding game was necessary, it was played on the home ice of the higher-ranked team.


1976–77 NHL season, Playoffs, Playoff structure
For the quarterfinal, semifinal, and the Stanley Cup Finals, each series was a best-of-seven, with home-ice advantage in games 1, 2, 5 and 7 going to the team with the better regular season record. The other team hosted games 3 and 4, and game 6 if it was necessary. The four preliminary round winners joined the four division winners for the quarterfinals. The matchups were determined according to regular season records regardless to divisional affiliations. Of the eight remaining teams, the top-ranked team played the lowest-ranked remaining team, the second-highest-ranked remaining team played the second-lowest-ranked remaining team, and so on. The four quarterfinal winners advanced to the semifinals, with the match-ups again are reseeded by regular season records. The highest-ranked remaining team played the lowest-ranked remaining team, and the other two teams formed the second semifinal. The two semifinal winners played each other in the Stanley Cup Finals.


1976–77 NHL season, Playoffs, Playoff seeds
The twelve teams that qualified for the playoffs are ranked 1–12 based on regular season points.


1976–77 NHL season, Playoffs, Playoff seeds
Note: Only teams that qualified for the playoffs are listed here.


1976–77 NHL season, Playoffs, Preliminary Round, (1) New York Islanders vs. (8) Chicago Black Hawks
This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams.


1976–77 NHL season, Playoffs, Preliminary Round, (2) Buffalo Sabres vs. (7) Minnesota North Stars
This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams.


1976–77 NHL season, Playoffs, Preliminary Round, (3) Los Angeles Kings vs. (6) Atlanta Flames
This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. This was a rematch of last year's Preliminary Round, in which Los Angeles won in a two-game sweep.


1976–77 NHL season, Playoffs, Preliminary Round, (4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (5) Toronto Maple Leafs
This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. This was a rematch of last year's Preliminary Round, in which Toronto won the series 2–1.


1976–77 NHL season, Playoffs, Quarterfinals, (1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (8) St. Louis Blues
This was the third playoff series meeting between these two teams. Montreal won both previous meetings in four-game sweeps in both the 1968 & 1969 Stanley Cup Finals.


1976–77 NHL season, Playoffs, Quarterfinals, (2) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (7) Toronto Maple Leafs
This was the third playoff series meeting between these two teams. Philadelphia won both previous meetings in the last two seasons. The latter of which Philadelphia won in seven games in last year's Stanley Cup Quarterfinals.


1976–77 NHL season, Playoffs, Quarterfinals, (3) Boston Bruins vs. (6) Los Angeles Kings
This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. This was a rematch of last year's Stanley Cup Quarterfinals, in which Boston won in seven games.


1976–77 NHL season, Playoffs, Quarterfinals, (4) New York Islanders vs. (5) Buffalo Sabres
This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. This was a rematch of last year's Stanley Cup Quarterfinals, in which New York won in six games.


1976–77 NHL season, Playoffs, Semifinals, (1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (4) New York Islanders
This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. This was a rematch of last year's Stanley Cup Semifinals, in which Montreal won in five games.


1976–77 NHL season, Playoffs, Semifinals, (2) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (3) Boston Bruins
This was the third playoff series meeting between these two teams. Philadelphia won both previous meetings. This was a rematch of last year's Stanley Cup Semifinals, in which Philadelphia won in five games.


1976–77 NHL season, Playoffs, Stanley Cup Finals
This was the 16th playoff series meeting between these two teams. Montreal lead 13–2 in previous meetings. They last met in the 1971 Stanley Cup Quarterfinals, in which Montreal upset Boston in seven games.


1976–77 NHL season, Playoffs, Stanley Cup Finals
The defending champion Montreal Canadiens took on the "Original Six" rival, the third-ranked Boston Bruins in the Finals. Both teams had swept a series and had lost only two games in the earlier rounds. The Canadiens swept the series in four games to win their second consecutive Stanley Cup.


1976–77 NHL season, Player statistics, Scoring leaders
GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties In Minutes


1976–77 NHL season, Player statistics, Leading goaltenders
Note: GP = Games played; Min – Minutes Played; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts


1976–77 NHL season, Debuts
The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1976–77 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs):


1976–77 NHL season, Last games
The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1976–77 (listed with their last team):


1976–77 NK Rijeka season
The 1976–77 season was the 31st season in Rijeka's history and their 15th season in the Yugoslav First League. Their 11th place finish in the 1975–76 season meant it was their third successive season playing in the Yugoslav First League.


1976–77 NTFL season
The 1976/77 NTFL season was the 56th season of the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL).


1976–77 NTFL season
Waratah have won there 13th premiership title while defeating St Marys in the grand final by 13 points.


1976–77 National Basketball League season
The 1976–77 Guinness National Basketball League season was the fifth season of the National Basketball League.


1976–77 National Basketball League season
The league was sponsored by Guinness and the number of teams participating remained at ten. The Embassy All-Stars relocated to Milton Keynes, Cleveland became Durham and Bedford replaced Leeds.


1976–77 National Basketball League season
The Crystal Palace team completed a second consecutive double of National League and Cup and were beginning to achieve national public recognition. There were no play offs for the League during this era and Carl Olsson was awarded the season MVP award.


1976–77 National Camogie League
The 1977 National Camogie League was the first to be played in the sport of camogie. It was won by Tipperary who defeated Wexford in a replayed final and became first holders of the AIB Cup, which was presented to Monica Butler by Eddie Keher. Helena O'Neill refereed.


1976–77 National Camogie League, Structure
Matches commenced in September 1976. Antrim, Dublin, Kilkenny, and Wexford competed in the eastern zone, which was won with Wexford after play-off victories over Dublin and Kilkenny. Tipperary beat Galway 2-3 to 1-4 to win the Western Zone.


1976–77 National Camogie League, Final
The first National League final was staged on a fresh day in Rathnure. Each team scored a goal and a point in the first half, Kit Codd and Eileen O’Gorman for Wexford and Deirdre Lane for Tipperary. Monica Butler at full back for Tipperary, according to The Nenagh Guardian:


1976–77 National Camogie League, Final
“gave an incredible display tirelessly repulsing attack after attack from the sharp-striking Wexford forwards and even when suffering from a painful shoulder injury insisted on staying on to lead her team to fight another day.


1976–77 National Camogie League, Final
Eileen Kehoe scored a goal for Wexford early in the second half and ten minutes from the end Maol Muire Tynan gathered the ball at midfield and set off n a solo run that ended with a memorable goal from an acute angle.


1976–77 National Camogie League, Replay
The replay took place at Semple stadium, with the Upperchurch-Drombane youth band leading the pre match parade. Maol Muire Tynan scored a goal after just 20 seconds, setting the pattern for the game as a confident Tipperary side, despite playing into the breeze kept their rivals under pressure. They had a second goal from Maura Hogan but Wexford kept their hopes alive when Kit Codd scored a goal just before half time. Maol Muire Tynan scored another quick Tipperary goal at the start of the second half and the issue was put beyond doubt shortly afterwards when Deirdre Lane scored Tipperary's fourth goal. The Nenagh Guardian reported:


1976–77 National Camogie League, Replay
On the day Tipperary were the better side, using the bal intelligently and generally showing greater earnestness in their endeavours.


1976–77 National Camogie League, Aftermath
Maol Muire Tynan later became a successful journalist with the Sunday Press and Sunday Business Post. Liz Howard later went on to become president of the Camogie Association.


1976–77 National Football League (Ireland)
The 1976–77 National Football League was the 46th staging of the National Football League (NFL), an annual Gaelic football tournament for the Gaelic Athletic Association county teams of Ireland.


1976–77 National Football League (Ireland), Format
All 32 counties of Ireland compete: 12 in Division 1 and 20 in Division 2.


1976–77 National Football League (Ireland), Format
Division 1 is composed of two groups of 6 teams (North and South). Each team plays the other teams in its group once, earning 2 points for a win and 1 for a draw.


1976–77 National Football League (Ireland), Format
Division 2 is composed of two groups of 10 teams (North and South). Each of these is further divided into two groups of 5. The top two in each group play semi-finals and finals, with the North champions and the South champions advancing to the NFL quarter-finals and being promoted.


1976–77 National Hurling League
The 1976–77 National Hurling League was the 46th season of the National Hurling League.


1976–77 National Hurling League, Division 1
Kilkenny came into the season as defending champions of the 1975-76 season. Wicklow entered Division 1 as the promoted team.


1976–77 National Hurling League, Division 1
On 24 April 1977, Clare won the title after a 2-8 to 0-9 win over Kilkenny in the final. It was their second league title overall and their first since 1945-46.


1976–77 National Hurling League, Division 1
Wicklow were relegated from Division 1 after just one season in the top flight.


1976–77 National Hurling League, Division 1
Cork's Pat Moylan and Clare's Colm Honan were the Division 1 joint-top scorers.


1976–77 National Hurling League, Division 2
On 20 February 1977, Westmeath won the title after a 5-14 to 0-7 win over Meath in the final round of the group stage.


1976–77 Nationale A season
The 1976–77 Nationale A season was the 56th season of the Nationale A, the top level of ice hockey in France. 10 teams participated in the league, and Gap Hockey Club won their first league title. Diables Rouges de Briançon and Club des patineurs lyonnais were relegated to the Nationale B.


1976–77 Nationalliga A, Overview
The Swiss Football Association had reformed the Swiss football league system that year, reducing the number of teams in the Nationalliga A from 14 to 12 and increasing the Nationalliga B teams from 14 to 16. The Nationalliga A season 1976–77 was contested by the first 11 teams from the 1975–76 season and the sole promoted team from Nationalliga B AC Bellinzona. The Nationalliga A was played in two stages. The qualification phase was played by all teams in a round robin and after completion was divided into two groups.


1976–77 Nationalliga A, Overview
The first six teams contended in the championship group (with half the obtained points as bonus) and the positions seventh to twelfth contended the relegation group (also with half the obtained points as bonus). Servette FC Genève and Basel finished the qualification phase in first and second position with 35 and 33 points from 22 games and so entered the championship group with a bonus of 18 and 17. At the end of the championship phase these two teams were level on 29 points. Therefore they had to compete a play-off match for champions. This play-off was held at the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern in front of 55,000 supporters. Basel won the match 2–1 and were awarded the championship.


1976–77 Nationalliga A, Overview
The playout round ended with FC Winterthur and AC Bellinzona being relegated.


1976–77 Nationalliga A season
The 1976–77 Nationalliga A season was the 39th season of the Nationalliga A, the top level of ice hockey in Switzerland. Eight teams participated in the league, and SC Bern won the championship.


1976–77 Nemzeti Bajnokság I, Overview
It was contested by 18 teams, and Vasas SC won the championship.


1976–77 New England Whalers season
The 1976–77 New England Whalers season was the fifth season of operation of the New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association. The Whalers placed fourth in the Eastern Division, qualifying fourth for the playoffs, losing in the first round to the Quebec Nordiques.


1976–77 New England Whalers season, Playoffs
The Whalers met the Quebec Nordiques in the first round of the playoffs. The Nordiques defeated the Whalers 4–1 to win the round. The Nordiques would go on to win the league championship.


1976–77 New England Whalers season, Draft picks
New England's draft picks at the 1976 WHA Amateur Draft.


1976–77 New Orleans Jazz season
The 1976–77 New Orleans Jazz season was the team's third in the NBA. They began the season hoping to improve upon their 38–44 output from the previous season. They came up three wins shy of tying it, finishing 35–47, and failed to qualify for the playoffs for the third straight season.


1976–77 New York Islanders season
The 1976–77 New York Islanders season was the fifth season for the franchise in the National Hockey League.


1976–77 New York Islanders season, Regular season, Final standings
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals againstNote: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.


1976–77 New York Islanders season, Player statistics
Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals      MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts;


1976–77 New York Islanders season, Draft picks
New York's draft picks at the 1976 NHL Amateur Draft held in Montreal, Quebec.


1976–77 New York Knicks season
The 1976–77 New York Knicks season was the 31st season for the team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). In the regular season, the Knicks finished in third place in the Atlantic Division, and failed to qualify for the 1977 NBA Playoffs. Bob McAdoo, a mid-season trade acquisition, led the Knicks in points per game (26.7) and rebounds per game (12.7), while Walt Frazier had a team-high 5.3 assists per game.


1976–77 New York Knicks season
In the 1976 NBA draft, New York did not have a first-round pick, having been stripped of it in 1975 after attempting to sign American Basketball Association player George McGinnis, whose NBA rights were held by the Philadelphia 76ers. With their first selection, the Knicks chose Lonnie Shelton in the second round with the 25th overall pick. On November 30, 1976, the Knicks played their first game against the New York Nets in the regular season, losing 104–103. In December, the Knicks traded with the Buffalo Braves for McAdoo and Tom McMillen, sending John Gianelli and $3 million.


1976–77 New York Knicks season
McAdoo started in the 1977 NBA All-Star Game, and Earl Monroe was selected as a reserve. Coach Red Holzman stepped down at the end of the 1977 season, Willis Reed was named his replacement, and Holzman accepted a role as consultant. Bill Bradley also retired after the season and started a career in politics.


1976–77 New York Knicks season, Draft picks
Note: This is not an extensive list; it only covers the first and second rounds, and any other players picked by the franchise that played at least one game in the league.


1976–77 New York Nets season
The 1976–77 New York Nets season was the tenth season for the franchise, and the first for the team in the NBA. It was also their last before moving back to New Jersey.


1976–77 New York Nets season, Regular season
In a special $6 million deal, the Nets sold Julius Erving, the ABA's leading scorer, to the Philadelphia 76ers for $3 million. The other $3 million went to Erving, by way of a new contract.


1976–77 New York Rangers season
The 1976–77 New York Rangers season was the 51st season of the New York Rangers franchise in the National Hockey League. The Rangers placed fourth in the Patrick Division and did not qualify for the playoffs. The Rangers had a better regular season record than two playoff teams and the league would change the rules in the following season to place the top twelve teams in the playoffs, regardless of division.


1976–77 New York Rangers season, Regular season, Season standings
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals againstNote: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.


1976–77 New York Rangers season, Playoffs
The Rangers failed to qualify for the 1977 Stanley Cup playoffs.


1976–77 New York Rangers season, Player statistics
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Rangers. Stats reflect time with Rangers only. ‡Traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with Rangers only.


1976–77 New York Rangers season, Draft picks
New York's picks at the 1976 NHL Amateur Draft in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.


1976–77 Newport County A.F.C. season
The 1976–77 season was Newport County's 15th consecutive season in the Football League Fourth Division and their 49th season overall in the Football League. The season became known as the "Great Escape" as County were entrenched in the re-election places until the last game of the season and would almost certainly have been voted out of the league had they finished there.


1976–77 Newport County A.F.C. season, League table
P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points


1976–77 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team
This is the current revision of this page, as edited by PrimeBOT (talk | contribs) at 00:09, 21 June 2020 (→Schedule and results: Task 30 - remove deprecated parameter in Template:CBB schedule entry). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this version.


1976–77 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team
The 1976–77 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team represented the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the 1976–77 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Tar Heels were coached by Dean Smith in his 16th season at North Carolina. They played their home games in Carmichael Auditorium as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They finished the season 28–5, 9–3 in ACC play to win the ACC regular season championship. They defeated NC State and Virginia to win the ACC Tournament. As a result, the received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. There, they defeated Purdue, Notre Dame, and Kentucky to advance to the Final Four. At the Final Four, they defeated UNLV before losing to Marquette in the National Championship game.


1976–77 Northern Football League
The 1976–77 Northern Football League season was the 79th in the history of Northern Football League, a football competition in England.


1976–77 Northern Football League, Clubs
Division One featured 20 clubs which competed in the league last season, no new clubs joined the division this season.


1976–77 Northern Premier League
The 1976–77 Northern Premier League was the ninth season of the Northern Premier League, a regional football league in Northern England, the northern areas of the Midlands and North Wales. The season began on 21 August 1976 and concluded on 20 May 1977.


1976–77 Northern Premier League, Overview
The League featured twenty-three teams for the first time. The systems of goal average was replaced by goal difference.


1976–77 Northern Premier League, Overview, Team changes
The following club left the League at the end of the previous season:


1976–77 Northern Premier League, Overview, Team changes
The following club joined the League at the start of the season:


1976–77 Northern Premier League, Cup results, Northern Premier League Shield
Between Champions of NPL Premier Division and Winners of the NPL Cup.


1976–77 Northern Premier League, Cup results, FA Cup
Out of the twenty-four clubs from the Northern Premier League, only three teams reached the second round:


1976–77 Northern Premier League, Cup results, FA Trophy
Out of the twenty-four clubs from the Northern Premier League, three teams reached the fourth round:


1976–77 Northern Premier League, End of the season
At the end of the ninth season of the Northern Premier League, Altrincham who put forward for election did not receive enough votes to be promoted to the Football League.


1976–77 Northern Premier League, End of the season, Football League elections
Alongside the four Football League teams facing re-election, two non-League teams, one from the Northern Premier League and the other from the Southern League. Applied to be elected. Three out of the four Football League teams were re-elected. Wimbledon from the Southern League replaced Workington from the Football League as they didn't receive enough votes. Workington was subsequently relegated to the Northern Premier League.


1976–77 Northern Rugby Football League season
The 1976–77 Northern Rugby Football League season was the 82nd season of rugby league football. Sixteen English clubs competed for the Championship, with Featherstone Rovers claiming the title.


1976–77 Northern Rugby Football League season, Season summary
The League Champions were Featherstone Rovers for the first and, to date, only time. During the season, the Salford versus Leeds match was abandoned after 38 minutes when Chris Sanderson of Leeds suffered a fatal injury. Leeds were ahead 5-2, but the game was declared null and void and not replayed.


1976–77 Northern Rugby Football League season, Season summary
Rochdale Hornets, Leigh, Barrow and Oldham were demoted to the Second Division.


1976–77 Northern Rugby Football League season, Season summary
The Challenge Cup Winners were Leeds who beat Widnes 16-7 in the final.


1976–77 Northern Rugby Football League season, Season summary
Players No.6 Trophy Winners were Castleford who beat Blackpool Borough 25-15.


1976–77 Northern Rugby Football League season, Season summary
Rugby League Premiership Trophy Winners were St. Helens who beat Warrington 32-20.


1976–77 Northern Rugby Football League season, Season summary
BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Winners were Castleford who beat Leigh 12-4 in the final.


1976–77 Northern Rugby Football League season, Season summary
2nd Division Champions were Hull FC, and they, Dewsbury, Bramley and New Hunslet were promoted to the First Division.


1976–77 Northern Rugby Football League season, Season summary
Widnes beat Workington Town (from Cumbria) 16–11 to win the Lancashire County Cup, and Leeds beat Featherstone Rovers 16–12 to win the Yorkshire County Cup.


1976–77 Northern Rugby Football League season, Challenge Cup
Leeds beat Widnes 16-7 in the final played at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 7 May 1977 in front of a crowd of 80,871. The winner of the Lance Todd Trophy was the Leeds prop, Steve Pitchford.


1976–77 Northern Rugby Football League season, Challenge Cup
This was Leeds’ tenth Cup Final win in fourteen Final appearances.


1976–77 Norwegian 1. Divisjon season
The 1976–77 Norwegian 1. Divisjon season was the 38th season of ice hockey in Norway. Ten teams participated in the league, and Manglerud Star won the championship.


1976–77 Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team
The 1976–77 Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team represented the University of Notre Dame during the 1976–77 NCAA men's basketball season.


1976–77 Nottingham Forest F.C. season
The 1976–77 season was Nottingham Forest's 112th year in existence and fifth campaign consecutive in the Second Division since their relegation in 1972.


1976–77 Nottingham Forest F.C. season, Summary
During summer chairman BJ Appleby appointed Brighton & Hove Albion manager Peter Taylor as new assistant for Clough, now in his third season with the club. The 1972 First Division Champion Duo was reunited again after two campaigns now in Second Division. The club reinforced the squad with several players, for the offensive line arriving striker Garry Birtles from Long Eaton United, forward Peter Withe was bought from Birmingham City. and Taylor asked for the return of Tony Woodcock after a loan spell from Lincoln City F.C..


1976–77 Nottingham Forest F.C. season, Summary
The defensive line had a poor performance through September, Middleton replaced Wells as Goalkeeper starter and Taylor asked for the transfer in of central-back defender Larry Lloyd arriving from Coventry City during October allowing McGovern came back as midfielder. The squad clinched the promotion to First Division with a victory on the ultimate round finishing in a decent 3rd place. Also, the team won the Anglo-Scottish Cup during December after defeated Leyton Orient in the Finals with a massive 5–1 aggregate score.


1976–77 Nottingham Forest F.C. season, Summary
Meanwhile, in League Cup the club advanced to the third round being defeated by Coventry City. In FA Cup the squad was eliminated in Fourth round after a replay against Southampton F.C.


1976–77 Nottingham Forest F.C. season, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1976–77 Nottingham Forest F.C. season, Statistics, Players statistics
The statistics for the following players are for their time during 1976–77 season playing for Nottingham Forest. Any stats from a different club during 1976–77 are not included. Includes all competitive matches.


1976–77 Nottingham Forest F.C. season, Competitions
A list of Nottingham Forest's matches in the 1976–77 season.


1976–77 OB I bajnoksag season
The 1976–77 OB I bajnokság season was the 40th season of the OB I bajnokság, the top level of ice hockey in Hungary. Four teams participated in the league, and Ferencvarosi TC won the championship.


1976–77 OMJHL season
The 1976–77 OMJHL season was the third season of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League (OMJHL). The St. Catharines Black Hawks moved to Niagara Falls, Ontario, becoming the Flyers. Their owner Hap Emms using the name of his former team. The Hamilton Fincups then moved to the vacant Jack Gatecliff Arena in St. Catharines, Ontario after the ice-making machine at the ancient Hamilton Forum broke down irreparably a month before the season began. Twelve teams each played 66 games. The Ottawa 67's won the J. Ross Robertson Cup, defeating the London Knights.


1976–77 OMJHL season, League business
OMJHL commissioner Tubby Schmalz filed legal action against the World Hockey Association on behalf of the OMJHL in 1976, citing failure to pay development fees for junior-aged players Paul Heaver and Bob Russell who turned professional. Schmalz also said legal action to receive payments would be likely for a third player, John Tonelli. Schmalz later announced that an OMJHL team would represent Canada at the 1977 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, and that the league would operate a small tournament within its schedule to choose the representative.


1976–77 OMJHL season, Playoffs, Quarterfinals
Ottawa 67's defeat Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 4–0, 1 tie


1976–77 Oregon Webfoots men's basketball team
The 1976–77 Oregon Webfoots men's basketball team represented the University of Oregon during the 1976–77 NCAA men's college basketball season.


1976–77 PAOK FC season
The 1976–77 season was PAOK Football Club's 51st in existence and the club's 18th consecutive season in the top flight of Greek football. The team entered the Greek Football Cup in first round and also competed in the European Cup.


1976–77 PAOK FC season, Players, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1976–77 PAOK FC season, Statistics, Squad statistics
Appearances denote players in the starting lineup, with the numbers in parentheses denoting appearances as substitute.


1976–77 Panathinaikos F.C. season
In the 1976–77 season Panathinaikos played in Greece's top division, the Alpha Ethniki. They also competed in the Balkans Cup, being the winners, and the Greek Cup.


1976–77 Panathinaikos F.C. season, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1976–77 Panathinaikos F.C. season, Competitions, Greek Cup, Final
The 35th Greek Cup Final was played at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus.


1976–77 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season
The 1976–77 season was Paris Saint-Germain's 7th season in existence. PSG mainly played their home league games at the Parc des Princes in Paris, but once at the Stade de Paris in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine as well, registering an average attendance of 22,700 spectators per match. The club was presided by Daniel Hechter. The team was managed by Velibor Vasović until May 1977, when Pierre Alonzo and Ilija Pantelić took over as interim managers. Mustapha Dahleb was the team captain.


1976–77 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Players, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1976–77 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Transfers, Arrivals
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1976–77 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Transfers, Departures
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1976–77 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Kits
French radio RTL was the shirt sponsor. French sportswear brand Le Coq Sportif was the kit manufacturer.


1976–77 Philadelphia 76ers season
The 1976–77 NBA season was the 28th season for the franchise in the NBA. Just months earlier, the American Basketball Association had ended its ninth and final campaign and the two leagues combined. In a special $6 million deal, the Nets sold Julius Erving, the ABA's leading scorer, to the Philadelphia 76ers for $3 million. The other $3 million went to Erving, by way of a new contract. In Philadelphia, Erving joined another scoring machine, George McGinnis, who had come over earlier from the Indiana Pacers. This accumulation of talent brought talk of an immediate championship to Philadelphia.


1976–77 Philadelphia 76ers season
The talented 76ers had posted the best record in the Eastern Conference with a record of 50–32. Gene Shue was the coach & his key players were Erving (the esteemed Dr. J), McGinnis & 6-foot-6 shooting guard Doug Collins. Other key contributors included point guard Henry Bibby and World B. Free. Caldwell Jones started at center with 20-year-old Darryl Dawkins, also known as "Chocolate Thunder," in a backup role. The reserve forwards were Steve Mix, Harvey Catchings and Joe Bryant. The Sixers beat the Boston Celtics & the Houston Rockets in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, but lost to the Portland Trail Blazers 4–2, after winning the first 2 games.


1976–77 Philadelphia Flyers season
The 1976–77 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers' tenth season in the National Hockey League (NHL). They finished first in the Patrick Division with a record of 48 wins, 16 losses, and 16 ties for 112 points.


1976–77 Philadelphia Flyers season, Regular season
Dethroned, the heyday of the Broad Street Bullies came to an end, as prior to the 1976–77 season, tough-guy Dave Schultz was traded to the Los Angeles Kings. Despite a slight drop-off in performance, the Flyers dominated the Patrick Division with what proved to be their 4th straight division title.


1976–77 Philadelphia Flyers season, Regular season, Season standings
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals againstNote: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.


1976–77 Philadelphia Flyers season, Playoffs
After disposing of Toronto—after which series Toronto coach Red Kelly claimed "I don't think I'd call [Bobby] Clarke dirty—mean is a better word"—in six games, the Flyers found themselves in the semi-finals for the fifth consecutive season. Pitted against Boston, the Flyers lost Games 1 and 2 at home in overtime and would not return home as they were swept in four straight games.


1976–77 Philadelphia Flyers season, Transactions
The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from May 17, 1976, the day after the deciding game of the 1976 Stanley Cup Finals, through May 14, 1977, the day of the deciding game of the 1977 Stanley Cup Finals.


1976–77 Philadelphia Flyers season, Transactions, Signings, Free agency
The following players were signed by the Flyers via free agency.


1976–77 Philadelphia Flyers season, Transactions, Signings, Internal
The following players were either re-signed by the Flyers or, in the case of the team's selections in the NHL Entry Draft, signed to contracts.


1976–77 Philadelphia Flyers season, Transactions, Departures
The following players left the team via free agency, release, or retirement. Players who were under contract and left the team during the season are marked with an asterisk (*).


1976–77 Philadelphia Flyers season, Draft picks
Philadelphia's picks at the 1976 NHL Amateur Draft, which was held at the NHL's office in Montreal, Quebec, on June 1, 1976.


1976–77 Philadelphia Flyers season, Farm teams
The Flyers were affiliated with the Springfield Indians of the AHL and the Philadelphia Firebirds of the NAHL.


1976–77 Phoenix Roadrunners season
The 1976–77 Phoenix Roadrunners season was the third and final season of the Phoenix Roadrunners in the World Hockey Association (WHA). The Roadrunners finished sixth in the Western Division and did not qualify for the playoffs.


1976–77 Phoenix Roadrunners season, Player stats
Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals      MIN = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts;


1976–77 Phoenix Suns season
The 1976–77 Phoenix Suns season was the ninth season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. With injuries limiting the team to only six games with a full roster, the Suns plummeted to the bottom of the Pacific division standings, missing the playoffs after appearing in the Finals just one season prior. The Suns were led by head coach John MacLeod and played all home games in Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.


1976–77 Pittsburgh Penguins season
The 1976–77 Pittsburgh Penguins season was their tenth in the National Hockey League. They finished third in the Norris Division for the third season in a row. In the playoffs, the Penguins were eliminated in the first round. Changes occurred in management and ownership. In December 1976, Baz Bastien replaced Wren Blair as the club's general manager. The club was sold to shopping mall magnate Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. in February 1977.


1976–77 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season
Despite the fact that Pierre Larouche, Jean Pronovost and Syl Apps were unable to reproduce their franchise record-setting offensive output of the previous season the team finished with a similar regular season record on the strength of improved defensive prowess and the goaltending of Dunc Wilson and Denis Herron, who was re-acquired from the Kansas City Scouts in the off-season.


1976–77 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season
General Manager Wren Blair, who had been part of the ownership group which bought the club from the NHL in July 1975 until February 1976, was removed from his position December 3, 1976. Aldege 'Baz' Bastien, the man who had coached the American Hockey League's Pittsburgh Hornets to a Calder Cup championship in 1967, was named Blair's replacement.


1976–77 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season
Co-owners Al Savill and Otto Frenzel sold the club to shopping mall magnate Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. in February 1977, less than two years after having bought the team from the NHL.


1976–77 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, Final standings
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against


1976–77 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, Final standings
Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.


1976–77 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Playoffs
The Penguins' opponent in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs was once again the Toronto Maple Leafs. While the Penguins' offensive output greatly improved to ten goals scored (compared to 1976's three goals), the Maple Leafs once again dispatched the Penguins in three games.


1976–77 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Player statistics
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Penguins. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only. ‡Denotes player was traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.


1976–77 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Transactions
The Penguins were involved in the following transactions during the 1976–77 season:


1976–77 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Transactions, Additions and subtractions
†Colin Campbell was loaned to the Rockies for one season. He was returned to the Penguins in 1977.


1976–77 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Draft picks
The 1976 NHL Amateur Draft was held on June 1, 1976 in Montreal, Quebec.


1976–77 Polska Liga Hokejowa season
The 1976–77 Polska Liga Hokejowa season was the 42nd season of the Polska Liga Hokejowa, the top level of ice hockey in Poland. 12 teams participated in the league, and Podhale Nowy Targ won the championship.


1976–77 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1976–77 season was Port Vale's 65th season of football in the Football League, and their seventh successive season (13th overall) in the Third Division. In the FA Cup, Vale reached the Fifth Round for the first time since 1961–62, after progressing past two Second Division clubs. There they were knocked out by Aston Villa at Villa Park in front of nearly fifty thousand spectators. Back in the league, Vale struggled to get by with an average home attendance of 4,356, and finished nineteenth, just three points from safety. Entered into the Debenhams Cup, they lost 4–3 to Chester.


1976–77 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Third Division
The pre-season saw manager Roy Sproson add two youngsters to his squad: forward Kevin Kennerley (Burnley) and defender Ian Osborne (Birmingham City). The battle with Stoke-on-Trent City Council continued over the legality of Vale's market trading operation. The club were also in trouble with The Football Association, who fined them £400 for the 47 bookings received in the previous campaign. Vale decided to crack down on player indiscipline by fining players £25 for dissent and £50 for violence. As 'a piece of good business' which 'could not be turned down', the club also sold star defender Terry Lees to Dutch side Sparta Rotterdam for £25,000. Another late signing was Geoff Davies, who had returned from a spell in the United States.


1976–77 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Third Division
The season opened with a loss, a draw, and then a 2–0 win over Sheffield Wednesday. Then only one point was gained in the next six matches. To bolster the side in came Stoke City's veteran defender Eric Skeels, who was also returning from a spell in the USA. Mick Cullerton then severed a cartilage, which meant five months out of action for the star striker. To replace him Sproson signed Blackburn Rovers' Ken Beamish (£12,000) and Wigan Athletic's John Rogers ('a small fee').


1976–77 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Third Division
The club also made other clubs aware that they would listen to any offers for players, but there was little in the way of interest. In October, former England and Wolves defender Bobby Thomson was another player returning from the States. Signing with the Vale, he impressed so much that he was made club captain in his first week at Vale Park. A club record run of 42 away games without a clean sheet began on 18 December, and would last until 30 September 1978.


1976–77 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Third Division
The first of this run was a 1–1 draw with Rotherham United at Millmoor, after this match "Millers" boss Jimmy McGuigan stated that Vale showed 'the worst exhibition of football thuggery I have ever seen'. Even though the defence struggled away from home, Beamish did not, as he scored his first ten goals for the club away from Burslem. In a 4–2 win over Grimsby Town at Blundell Park on 3 January, Beamish scored a hat-trick. Later in the month Geoff Davies had his contract cancelled by mutual consent.


1976–77 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Third Division
Vale's form tailed off, though Terry Alcock returned briefly to play a handful of games. Thomson also returned to the US, Ray Williams was transferred to Northwich Victoria for 'a small fee', and Colin Tartt was sold to Chesterfield for £15,000. In their places were new signings Alan Lamb (£5,000 from Preston North End) and Peter Sutcliffe (£3,000 from Stockport County), whilst a fit again Cullerton was like a new signing. The club had drifted into the bottom four, but a six match unbeaten run with a prolific Cullerton took them to safety.


1976–77 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Third Division
In the background was an ongoing power struggle in the boardroom. In late-March they then received a 6–2 beating at Wrexham and then a 4–0 beating from Chesterfield at Saltergate. The club suffered an injury crisis in April, with both Keith Chadwick and John Brodie having been forced to retire through injury. Relegation was avoided however with six points from the final five games. The final game of the season was against Rotherham United, who needed a six-goal win margin to gain promotion. The match saw three penalties, three bookings and crowd trouble, though United were four goals ahead they failed to find the remaining two, and instead the "Valiants" scored a late goal.


1976–77 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Third Division
They finished in nineteenth place with 38 points, three points above the drop. Their 47 goals scored tally was lower only than Grimsby's tally. They only recorded two victories on their travels. At the end of the season was the short-lived Debenhams Cup competition, Vale lost 4–3 to Chester over two legs, but still received a runners-up prize of £5,000.


1976–77 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Finances
On the financial side, a loss of £5,959 was made despite a donation of £23,860 from the Development Fund. Gate receipts had risen to £60,115, however wages and signing-on fees had risen to £139,012. The bank overdraft stood at £15,000, though the club's total debt stood at £123,863. On the coaching front, Roy Chapman was replaced by Colin Harper. Meanwhile, three players were handed free transfers: ten-year club veteran Tommy McLaren (Telford United), Eric Skeels (Leek Town), and Ian Osborne (Hillingdon Borough). Also John Rogers was sold to Altrincham for £2,000.


1976–77 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Cup competitions
In the FA Cup, Vale advanced past Fourth Division Southport with a John Rogers brace at Haig Avenue. A 3–0 win over Barnsley then put Vale into the Third Round, where they came up against Second Division Hull City. After a 1–1 draw at Boothferry Park, Vale knocked the "Tigers" out with a 3–1 win at Vale Park. The "Valiants" beat Burnley – another second tier team – in the Fourth Round with a 2–1 home win. The Fifth Round held First Division Aston Villa at Villa Park. Villa won 3–0 in front of a crowd of 46,872. The score was 'flattering' to the "Villans" as they scored two late goals. The match was shown on television.


1976–77 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Cup competitions
The club's FA Cup run earned them a place in the Debenhams Cup final, against Chester. A 2–0 home win in the first leg gave them a strong advantage heading to Sealand Road, but there they lost 4–1 and so had to be consoled with runners-up medals and £5,000 prize money.


1976–77 Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Cup competitions
In the League Cup, Welsh club Wrexham knocked the Vale out 2–1 on aggregate, following a 1–1 draw in Burslem and a 1–0 win at the Racecourse Ground.


1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers season
The 1976–77 season was the Portland Trail Blazers' 7th season in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The revamped Blazers would end up getting off to a terrific start winning 22 of their first 31 games. The Blazers won their last 5 games to post a record of 49–33. The Blazers made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history and proceeded to stampede through the postseason. By the time the Blazers had made it to the 1977 NBA Finals, the city of Portland was truly in the grips of "Blazermania".


1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers season
After losing the first two games of the championship series at Philadelphia, the Trail Blazers won four in a row to bring the trophy to Portland. The championship capped the team's first winning season. The Blazers had a remarkable 45–6 record at home, which included a perfect 10–0 mark in the playoffs.


1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers season
As of 2021, this remains the only NBA Championship in Blazers franchise history, though they did make Finals appearances in 1990 and 1992, but lost to the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls, respectively.


1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers season, Offseason, NBA Draft
Note: This is not a complete list; only the first three rounds are covered, as well as any other picks by the franchise who played at least one NBA game.


1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers season, Offseason, ABA Dispersal Draft
The American Basketball Association joined the NBA with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976. Of the teams remaining in the ABA, four joined the NBA. The two teams, the Kentucky Colonels and Spirits of St. Louis, which folded had their players assigned to a dispersal draft for draft purposes.


1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers season, Regular season
Just months earlier, the American Basketball Association had ended its ninth and last campaign and the two leagues combined. Despite the changes, it would become the season of Bill Walton and the Portland Trail Blazers. Walton's college performance led to predictions that Walton would be pro basketball's next great player. Yet those dreams went largely unfulfilled because of a series of foot injuries that hampered him. But in the 1977 playoffs, a healthy Walton and his teammates found a chemistry that enabled them to beat one of the most talented pro teams ever assembled.


1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers season, Regular season
For Walton, it wasn't a question of wanting to play but of being able to. Injuries repeatedly interrupted his progress as a pro player. On the court, when he was healthy, he was a key contributor. He missed 17 games over the 1976–77 season; the Blazers lost 12 of them. With Walton in the lineup, the Blazers were 44–21, and their .677 winning percentage during those games was the best in the league. The dispersal of ABA players had been particularly beneficial to the Blazers.


1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers season, Regular season
Maurice Lucas was simply the most dominating power forward in the game, and his arrival only boosted Walton's effectiveness in the frontcourt. Lucas led the team in scoring at 20.2 points per game and averaged better than 11 rebounds. Coming over with Lucas from the ABA was lead guard Dave Twardzik. He had four pro seasons with the Virginia Squires of the ABA and was a starter in Ramsay's system. Another key contributor was Lionel Hollins, a second-year player out of Arizona State who averaged nearly 15 points per game.


1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers season, NBA Finals
The Finals opened in the Spectrum on Sunday, May 22. The 76ers seemed unbeatable after the first two games. Erving opened Game 1 with a stupendous dunk off the opening tip. He finished with 33 points and Collins had 30 as Philadelphia won 107–101. The Blazers were rattled enough to commit 34 turnovers. Walton finished with 28 points and 20 rebounds.


1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers season, NBA Finals
In Game 2 four nights later, the Sixers won handily, 107–89. Jones and Dawkins handled Walton easily, while the Sixers dominated in the second quarter, scoring 14 points in one three-minute stretch on their way to a 61–43 halftime lead. The game became very physical with about five minutes left. First, Portland's Lloyd Neal and McGinnis squared off, followed by Lucas and Erving trading elbows.


1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers season, NBA Finals
In Game 3, played on Sunday, May 29, Lucas strode directly to the Philadelphia bench, then startled everybody, including Dawkins, by sticking out his hand for a shake. The Blazers had a high scoring attack to win the game. Lucas contributed 27 points and 12 rebounds. Walton had nine assists, 20 points, and 18 rebounds. Twardzik, too, had returned to speed, driving the Portland offense along to a 42-point fourth quarter. They won 129–107, closing the series gap to 2–1.


1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers season, NBA Finals
In Game 4, Portland opened up a quick 17-point lead, then cruised to a 130–98 win. Walton was sent to the bench with five fouls in the third. With a little more than eight minutes left in Game 5, Portland led 91–69 and the crowd was headed home. Erving rallied the Sixers to make it respectable at the end, 110–104. He had managed 37 points in the game. Gross scored 25 points to lead the Blazers, while Lucas had 20 with 13 rebounds. Walton finished with 24 rebounds and 14 points.


1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers season, NBA Finals
In the sixth and deciding game, Walton had 20 points, 23 rebounds, eight blocks and seven assists. The Portland lead was still 12 with half of the fourth quarter left when Erving led his teammates on one final run. At the four-minute mark, the lead was cut to four, 102–98. McGinnis hit a jumper, and the lead was only two points with 18 seconds left. The Sixers needed a turnover, and they finally got it from McGinnis, who was able to force a jump ball with Gross.


1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers season, NBA Finals
With eight seconds remaining, Erving put up a jumper in the lane but missed. Free got the ball and lofted a baseline shot and missed too. With a second left, McGinnis tried to force a seventh and deciding game but he missed. Walton knocked the loose ball away and ripped off his jersey, and hurled it into the crowd.


1976–77 Primeira Divisão
The 1976–77 Primeira Divisão was the 43rd season of top-tier football in Portugal.


1976–77 Primeira Divisão, Overview
It was contested by 16 teams, and S.L. Benfica won the championship.


1976–77 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team
The 1976–77 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team represented Princeton University in intercollegiate college basketball during the 1976–77 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The head coach was Pete Carril and the team captain was Robert Slaughter. The team played its home games in the Jadwin Gymnasium on the University campus in Princeton, New Jersey. The team was the champion of the Ivy League, which earned them an invitation to the 32-team 1977 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament.


1976–77 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team
The team posted a 21–5 overall record and a 13–1 conference record. The team's January 3, 1977, victory over Notre Dame was the last home win against a ranked opponent until the 2011–12 team's defeated Harvard on February 11, 2012. The team's only conference loss came in the rivalry game on January 11, 1977, against the Penn Quakers at The Palestra in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by a 43–39 margin. The team lost its next game against the St. John's Red Storm before winning twelve in a row heading into the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. The team lost its March 12, 1977 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament East Regional first round game against the Kentucky Wildcats 72–58 at The Palestra.


1976–77 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team
The team was led by first team All-Ivy League selection Frank Sowinski, who was named Ivy League Men's Basketball Player of the Year, and by Ivy League Men's Basketball Co-Rookie of the Year Bob Roma. Sowinski led the league in field goal percentage with a 65.0% average. His percentages of 63.2% overall and 65.0% in conference games were Ivy League single-season records that stood for two years. The team was the second of nineteen Princeton teams and the second in a row to win the national statistical championship in scoring defense with an average of 51.7 points allowed. That was an NCAA record (since 1965) that surpassed the team's prior season record of 52.9 and that would stand for three years.


1976–77 Providence Friars men's basketball team
The 1976–77 Providence Friars men's basketball team represented Providence College during the 1976–77 NCAA Division I men's basketball season.


1976–77 Providence Friars men's basketball team
Senior Guard Joe Hassett was the team's captain and leading scorer, averaging 18.8 points per game. Junior Forward Bruce Campbell with 8.1 rebounds.


1976–77 Providence Friars men's basketball team
The Friars would receive an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament where they would fall in the first round to Kansas State.


1976–77 QMJHL season
The 1976–77 QMJHL season was the eighth season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league renamed its divisions in honour of Robert Lebel and Frank Dilio, two lifetime contributors to ice hockey in Quebec. The East Division became the "Dilio Division" and the West Division became the "Lebel Division." Ten teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Quebec Remparts finished first overall in the regular season to capture the Jean Rougeau Trophy. The Sherbrooke Castors won the President's Cup defeating the Quebec Remparts in the finals.


1976–77 QMJHL season, Final standings
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; PTS = Points; GF = Goals For; GA = Goals Against


1976–77 QMJHL season, Scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in Minutes


1976–77 QMJHL season, Playoffs
Ron Carter was the leading scorer of the playoffs with 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists).


1976–77 Quebec Nordiques season
The 1976–77 Quebec Nordiques season was the Nordiques fifth season, as they were coming off their best season to date in 1975–76, earning a team record 50 victories and 104 points, as they finished in second place in the Canadian Division. In the post-season, Quebec win their first Avco Cup in team history. Serge Bernier would win the WHA Playoff MVP trophy, as he earned 36 points for the Nordiques in 17 post-season games.


1976–77 Quebec Nordiques season, Offseason
During the off-season, the league saw the Toronto Toros move to Birmingham, Alabama, and be renamed the Birmingham Bulls, while the Cleveland Crusaders moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota to become the second version of the Minnesota Fighting Saints. The league was back to twelve teams from fourteen the previous season, as the original Fighting Saints and Denver Spurs/Ottawa Civics franchise folded midway through the 1975–76 season. The Nordiques would move from the Canadian Division to the Eastern Division, joining the Birmingham Bulls, Cincinnati Stingers, Indianapolis Racers, Minnesota Fighting Saints and New England Whalers in the division.


1976–77 Quebec Nordiques season, Offseason
The Nordiques also made a head coaching change after their disappointing playoff appearance, as head coach Jean-Guy Gendron was relieved of his duties, and former Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Marc Boileau was his replacement.


1976–77 Quebec Nordiques season, Regular season
Quebec would have a very strong start to the season, winning eight of their first nine games to take a lead in the Eastern Division. The Nordiques would cool off, as they had a record of 8–11–1 in their next twenty games, however, Quebec snapped out of their slump and won nine games in a row to take control of the Division. The Nordiques would finish the season on top of the Eastern Division with a 47–31–3 record, earning 97 points, which was fourteen points higher than the second place Cincinnati Stingers.


1976–77 Quebec Nordiques season, Regular season
Offensively, Quebec was led by Real Cloutier, who won the Bill Hunter Trophy awarded to the player who leads the league in scoring. Cloutier scored 66 goals and 75 assists for a league best 141 points. Marc Tardif scored 49 goals and 109 points despite missing 19 games, while Christian Bordeleau 32 goals and tied Cloutier with a team high 75 assists to earn 107 points for the season. Serge Bernier narrowly missed out on the 100 point club, as he scored 43 goals and 96 points in 74 games. On defense, newly acquired Jim Dorey led the blueline with 47 points in 73 games, while J. C. Tremblay had another productive season, earning 35 points in 53 games. Paul Baxter had a team high 244 penalty minutes, which was the second highest total in the league.


1976–77 Quebec Nordiques season, Regular season
In goal, Richard Brodeur had the majority of playing time, winning 29 games, while posting a team best 3.45 GAA, along with 2 shutouts. Ed Humphreys and Serge Aubry split the backup duties, with Humphreys winning twelve games and a 3.58 GAA, while Aubry won six games with a 3.98 GAA.


1976–77 Quebec Nordiques season, Playoffs
In the opening round of the playoffs, Quebec would face the New England Whalers in a best of seven series. The Whalers finished the year with a record of 35–40–6, earning 76 points, which was 21 fewer than the Nordiques. The series opened with two games at Le Colisée, with Quebec winning them both, by scores of 5–2 and 7–3, to take the series lead. The series moved over to New England for the next two games, however, Quebec stayed hot and defeated the Whalers 4–3 in overtime in the third game to take a 3–0 lead in the series. New England fought off elimination in the fourth game, defeating the Nordiques 6–4, however, in the fifth game played back in Quebec, the Nordiques shutout New England 3–0 to win the series.


1976–77 Quebec Nordiques season, Playoffs
In the Eastern Division finals, the Nordiques faced off against the Indianapolis Racers, who finished the regular season in third place in the Eastern Division with a 36–37–8 record. The Racers swept the second place Cincinnati Stingers in the opening round to advance to the division finals. The series opened with two games in Quebec, and the Nordiques stayed unbeaten on home ice during the post-season, as they defeated Indianapolis 3–1 and 8–3 to take the early series lead.


1976–77 Quebec Nordiques season, Playoffs
The series shifted over to Indianapolis for the next two games, but the Nordiques won the third game, defeating the Racers 6–5 in overtime to put them on the brink of elimination. Indianapolis finally managed to win a game in the fourth game of the series, shutting out the Nordiques 2–0, however, with the series back in Quebec for the fifth game, the Nordiques remained hot on home ice, easily winning the game 8–3, and advancing to the Avco Cup finals.


1976–77 Quebec Nordiques season, Playoffs
The Nordiques opponents in the Avco Cup finals was the Winnipeg Jets. Winnipeg was the defending champions, as they won the 1976 Avco Cup. The Jets had a record of 46–32–2, finishing with 94 points, and in second place in the Western Division. Winnipeg defeated the Edmonton Oilers and Houston Aeros to earn a spot in the finals. The series opened with two games in Quebec, and the Jets ended the Nordiques home ice winning streak with a 2–1 victory in the first game. Quebec evened the series with a 6–1 thumping in the second game.


1976–77 Quebec Nordiques season, Playoffs
The series moved to Winnipeg for the next two games, and the Jets used their home ice to their advantage, as they took the third game by a 6–1 score, however, the Nordiques would once again even the series up, defeating Winnipeg 4–2 in the fourth game. The series was back in Quebec for the fifth game, and the Nordiques destroyed the Jets 8–3 to take their first lead in the series, and were now only one win away from the championship.


1976–77 Quebec Nordiques season, Playoffs
The Jets responded in the sixth game played back in Winnipeg, crushing the Nordiques 12–3, to set up a seventh and deciding game in Quebec. The Nordiques would take control of the seventh game early, coasting their way to an 8–2 victory, and winning their first Avco Cup in team history. Serge Bernier would win the WHA Playoff MVP trophy, as he earned 36 points for the Nordiques in 17 post-season games.


1976–77 Rangers F.C. season
The 1976–77 season was the 97th season of competitive football by Rangers.


1976–77 Rangers F.C. season, Overview
Rangers played a total of 54 competitive matches during the 1976–77 season.


1976–77 Ranji Trophy
The 1976–77 Ranji Trophy was the 43rd season of the Ranji Trophy. Bombay's won their third consecutive title defeating Delhi. This was their 18th win in 19 years.


1976–77 Real Madrid CF season
The 1976–77 season is Real Madrid Club de Fútbol's 74th season in existence and the club's 45th consecutive season in the top flight of Spanish football.


1976–77 Real Madrid CF season, Summary
During summer the club failed to replace ageing Gunter Netzer with Brazilian midfielder Zico from Flamengo or English Forward Kevin Keegan from Liverpool F.C. both offers rejected by their teams. The club collapsed to the 9th place in the most disastrous League campaign under Bernabeu Presidency era finishing 12 points below Champions Atlético Madrid despite the arrival of international Danish striker Henning Jensen from Borussia Mönchengladbach. However, even with the chaotic club performance, head coach Miljan Miljanić remained in his position and was ratified by President Santiago Bernabéu on 7 June 1977


1976–77 Real Madrid CF season, Summary
Shockingly, in European Cup the squad was defeated by Belgian squad Club Brugge after a 0–0 draw in Valencia, the team lost 0–2 in Brugge being the last away trip of Santiago Bernabéu with the squad.


1976–77 Real Madrid CF season, Summary
The club was early eliminated in 1976–77 Copa del Rey Third Round by underdogs Hércules CF.


1976–77 Real Madrid CF season, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1976–77 Rochdale A.F.C. season
The 1976–77 season saw Rochdale compete in their 3rd consecutive season in the Football League Fourth Division


1976–77 Roller Hockey Champions Cup
The 1976–77 Roller Hockey Champions Cup was the 12th edition of the Roller Hockey Champions Cup organized by CERH.


1976–77 Roller Hockey Champions Cup, Teams
The champions of the main European leagues, and Voltregà as title holders, played this competition, consisting in a double-legged knockout tournament. As Voltregà qualified also as Spanish champion, Vilanova joined also the competition.


1976–77 Romanian Hockey League season
The 1976–77 Romanian Hockey League season was the 47th season of the Romanian Hockey League. Ten teams participated in the league, and Steaua Bucuresti won the championship.


1976–77 Rugby League Premiership
The 1976–77 Rugby League Premiership was the third end of season Rugby League Premiership competition.


1976–77 Rugby League Premiership, First Round
+Match awarded to Warrington after Hull Kingston Rovers fielded an ineligible player (Phil Lowe).


1976–77 Rugby Union County Championship
The 1976–77 Rugby Union County Championship was the 77th edition of England's County Championship rugby union club competition.


1976–77 Rugby Union County Championship
Lancashire won their 10th title after defeating Middlesex in the final.


1976–77 S.L. Benfica season
The 1976–77 season was Sport Lisboa e Benfica's 73rd season in existence and the club's 43rd consecutive season in the top flight of Portuguese football, covering the period from 1 July 1976 to 30 June 1977. Benfica competed domestically in the Primeira Divisão and the Taça de Portugal, and participated in the European Cup after winning the previous league.


1976–77 S.L. Benfica season
In the new season, Benfica replaced league-winner, Mário Wilson by a foreigner. After a long saga, John Mortimore was chosen. In  the transfer window, the club added Pietra and Carlos Alhinho and sold Rui Jordão. A complicated pre-season predicted a troubled start. In September, Benfica lost in the opening round with Sporting and drew the next two with Estoril Praia and Académica de Coimbra. At the same time, they were eliminated from the European Cup by Dynamo Dresden without scoring a goal. In October, another loss, now with Boavista, with Benfica sitting in 13th place, six points from the top.


1976–77 S.L. Benfica season
However, they managed to turn it around and won the following six matches. In January, while his rival Sporting was dropping points, Benfica gained five points and reduce their deficit to one. They passed them in February and despite a loss for the Portuguese Cup against them, Benfica kept on winning in the Primeira Divisão. Two away draws did not cause harm with Benfica finally securing their third title in a row in early May. It was their 14th title since 1960.


1976–77 S.L. Benfica season, Season summary
In the off-season, Benfica changed managers again. After guiding Benfica to their 22nd league title, Mário Wilson contract was not renewed and he moved to Boavista. His assistant Fernando Cabrita followed him. The press speculated on various names, such as John Mortimore, Bill McGarry and Dario Gradi. Signing a British manager was an obvious goal, and Gradi was first choice, landing in Lisbon on 22 June to discuss terms. However, he left the following day, as Director of Football, Romão Martins, and also several key players did not approve him.