The 1987 Los Angeles Raiders season was the franchise's strike-shortened 28th season overall, and the franchise's 18th season in the National Football League. The Raiders finished with a disappointing record of 5–10, the team's worst finish since Al Davis arrived in 1963 and only the sixth losing season in franchise history.

Offseason NFL draft

Since he did not sign with a team by the 1987 draft, Bo Jackson's rights were forfeited by Tampa Bay and his name was thrown back into the draft. The Raiders selected Jackson in the seventh round with the 183rd overall pick. Raiders owner Al Davis supported Jackson and his baseball career and got Jackson to sign a contract by offering him a salary that was comparable to a full-time starting running back but allowing Jackson to only play part-time until the baseball season was done.

Personnel Staff

NFL replacement players After the league decided to use replacement players during the NFLPA strike, the following team was assembled:

1987 Los Angeles Raiders replacement rosterQuarterbacks Marc Wilson Mark Van Allen Vince Evans Scott Woolf

Running backs Rick Calhoun Ethan Horton Rob Harrison Craig Ellis Thurman Beard Steve Strachan Vic Stagliano Jim Browne Shawn Jones

Wide receivers David Williams Greg Lathan Luis McDonald Carl Aikens Mervyn Fernandez Mike Simmons Wade Lockett Stanley Blalock Greg Holder

Tight ends Jack Owens Ron Wheeler Mario Perry Ricky Ellis Offensive linemen Paul Dufault John Tautolo Shawn Regent David Pyles Andy Dickerson Barry Black Jon Zogg

Defensive linemen Rick Ackerman Ed Washington Bill Pickel Rod Timmons John Hynes Mike Rodriguez Mike Miller Ted Chapman Brian Belway Greg Townsend Rick Goltz Bob Buczkowski Tom Weaver Phil GrimesLinebackers Darryl Byrd Keith Williams Mike Noble Jerry Robinson Jim Ellis Ricky Logan Darryl Goodlow Leonard Jackson Ronnie Washington Dan McMillen Joe Cormier Ron Brown

Defensive backs Chetti Carr Willie Teal Rod Hill Lance Harkey Ricky Williams Tony Tillmon Demise Williams D'Shaun Shamburger Eddie Anderson Michael Grayson Steve Johnson Jo Jo Heath Ron Foster Kenny Danforth Victor Jackson

Special teams Vincent Gamache P David Hardy K Jim Corrazzini K James Fohey P Chris Bahr K

Roster

Regular season Joining the Raiders midway through the 1987 season, Bo Jackson rushed for 554 yards on 81 carries in just seven games. Over the next three seasons, Bo Jackson would rush for 2,228 more yards and 12 touchdowns: a remarkable achievement, in light of the fact that he was a "second string" player behind Raiders legend Marcus Allen.

Jackson turned in a 221-yard rushing performance on Monday Night Football in 1987 against the Seattle Seahawks. During this game, he ran over Seahawks linebacker Brian Bosworth, who had insulted Jackson and promised in a media event before the game to contain Jackson. He also made a 91-yard run to the outside, untouched down the sideline. He continued sprinting until finally slowing down as he passed through the entrance to the field tunnel to the dressing rooms with teammates soon following. Jackson scored two rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown in the game.

Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap 1 September 13 at Green Bay Packers W 20–0 1–0 Lambeau Field 54,983 Recap 2 September 20 Detroit Lions W 27–7 2–0 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 50,300 Recap – September 27 at Houston Oilers Canceled 2–0 Houston Astrodome 3 October 4 Kansas City Chiefs W 35–17 3–0 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 10,708 Recap 4 at Denver Broncos L 14–30 3–1 Mile High Stadium 61,230 Recap 5 October 18 San Diego Chargers L 17–23 3–2 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 23,541 Recap 6 October 25 Seattle Seahawks L 13–35 3–3 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 52,735 Recap 7 November 1 at New England Patriots L 23–26 3–4 Sullivan Stadium 60,664 Recap 8 November 8 at Minnesota Vikings L 20–31 3–5 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 57,150 Recap 9 November 15 at San Diego Chargers L 14–16 3–6 Jack Murphy Stadium 60,639 Recap 10 November 22 Denver Broncos L 17–23 3–7 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 61,318 Recap 11 at Seattle Seahawks W 37–14 4–7 Kingdome 62,802 Recap 12 December 6 Buffalo Bills W 34–21 5–7 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 43,143 Recap 13 December 13 at Kansas City Chiefs L 10–16 5–8 Arrowhead Stadium 63,834 Recap 14 December 20 Cleveland Browns L 17–24 5–9 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 40,275 Recap 15 December 27 Chicago Bears L 3–6 5–10 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 78,019 Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1

Marcus Allen 33 Rush, 136 Yds Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Nov-03.

Week 9 at Minnesota Vikings

Week 11

Pro-Football-Reference.com

Standings

Awards and records Howie Long, AFC Pro Bowl selection

References

External links 1987 Los Angeles Raiders at Pro Football Reference 1987 Los Angeles Raiders at jt-sw.com 1987 Los Angeles Raiders stats at jt-sw.com