Playoff Preview

USFL Playoffs Round 1 (1985)

Denver Gold vs. Oakland Invaders: A First-Round Playoff Clash

Saturday, June 22, 1985, 5:00 PM ET
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA

The 1985 USFL playoffs are here, and the Denver Gold will travel to California to face the Oakland Invaders in a first-round showdown. Both teams have shown strengths throughout the season, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash on the west coast.

Denver Gold: Ground and Pound

The Denver Gold (10-6) enter the playoffs riding the powerful legs of Bill Johnson, who finished the regular season with 1,261 rushing yards and an impressive 15 touchdowns. Denver’s offense revolves around its ground game, averaging 5.6 yards per carry as a team. Behind Johnson, the complementary contributions of Todd Gerhart and quarterback Bob Gagliano’s mobility have kept defenses honest.

When the Gold go to the air, Gagliano’s favorite targets are Leonard Harris (1,432 receiving yards, 8 TDs) and Marc Lewis (1,207 receiving yards, 6 TDs). While Gagliano has struggled with interceptions (17 on the season), his deep-ball ability can create game-changing plays, as evidenced by his long of 69 yards.

Defensively, Denver boasts a fierce pass rush led by Pete Thornton (13 sacks) and Larry Turner (11 sacks). Their ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks will be crucial against Oakland’s high-flying offense.

Oakland Invaders: Balanced and Efficient

The Invaders (12-4) secured home-field advantage thanks to their balanced attack. Quarterbacks Fred Besana and Craig Sundberg have shared duties, combining for 1,234 passing yards and 10 touchdowns. Besana’s veteran leadership and Sundberg’s efficiency give Oakland versatility under center.

On the ground, John Williams leads the charge with 857 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns. His hard-nosed running complements an explosive receiving corps spearheaded by Gordon Banks (1,115 receiving yards, 5 TDs) and Reggie LaFrance (510 receiving yards, 4 TDs).

Oakland’s defense prides itself on limiting big plays, with a secondary led by David Greenwood and a disruptive pass rush featuring Terry Wright and Jeff Stover. Special teams are also a strength, as kicker Jess Atkinson has been nearly automatic, converting 85% of his field goals this season.

Keys to Victory

  • Denver Gold: Establish the run early with Bill Johnson to control the clock and keep Oakland’s offense off the field. Gagliano must minimize turnovers against a ball-hawking Invaders secondary.
  • Oakland Invaders: Protect the quarterback and exploit Denver’s secondary with their deep receiving corps. Stopping Denver’s rushing attack will be a priority for the Invaders’ front seven.

Prediction

This game pits Denver’s punishing rushing attack against Oakland’s balanced offense and opportunistic defense. If the Gold can dominate time of possession, they’ll have a chance to pull off the upset. However, Oakland’s home-field advantage and versatility may prove too much for Denver to overcome.

Prediction: Oakland Invaders 27, Denver Gold 20