Editing Super Bowl XVIII (section)

===Fourth quarter===
After both teams exchanged punts to start the fourth quarter, Theismann completed a 60-yard pass to Brown to reach the Los Angeles 12-yard line. Three plays later, a roughing the passer penalty on defensive end [[Dave Stalls]] gave Washington a new set of downs at the 8. On the next play, however, safety [[Mike Davis (defensive back, born 1956)|Mike Davis]] strip-sacked Theismann, and Martin recovered the ball for Los Angeles at the 31. The Raiders were forced to punt after a three-and-out, but on the third play of the Redskins' ensuing drive, cornerback [[Mike Haynes (cornerback)|Mike Haynes]] intercepted a pass intended for wide receiver [[Art Monk]] at the Raiders 42-yard line. A 39-yard run by Allen set up a 21-yard field goal by kicker [[Chris Bahr]] to cap off the scoring, 38–9. Los Angeles then forced Washington to punt, and ran out the clock for the win.

Plunkett finished the game with 16 out of 25 pass completions for 172 yards and a touchdown. Theismann threw for more yards than Plunkett (243) but was just 16 out of 35 and was intercepted twice.  He was also sacked six times. Branch was the top receiver of the game with six receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown.  Guy punted seven times for 299 yards (42.7 average), with 244 net yards (34.8 average) and planted five of his seven punts inside the 20.  Martin recorded a sack, a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery. Riggins, who had rushed for over 100 yards in his last six postseason games, was held to 64 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries, with his longest gain being just 8 yards. Brown was their top receiver with three receptions for 93 yards.  Tight end [[Clint Didier]] caught five passes for 65 yards.  Garrett recorded 100 yards on kickoff returns, and one reception for 17 yards. Part of both of Allen's touchdown runs were cutbacks, which, according to ''New York Daily News'' writer Larry Fox, burned an overpursuing Redskins defense.<ref name="A Raiders' runaway! 'Skins hogtied, 38-9" />

After the game, Redskins general manager [[Bobby Beathard]] said that Lester Hayes and Mike Haynes were the difference in the game.  Haynes had played out his contract with the Patriots after the 1982 season, and sat out most of the first part of the 1983 season during contract negotiations.  He eventually signed with the Raiders, who were forced to give the Patriots draft picks in compensation.  He played the final five games of the regular season; his addition gave the Raiders two shutdown corners.  According to Beathard, Hayes and Haynes "changed our whole game plan."  Hayes had only one tackle, but had the left side of the field covered so effectively that Theismann hardly bothered to throw there.  Haynes had two tackles, one interception, and two pass breakups.<ref name=McGinn/> Although Brown averaged 31 yards on his 3 receptions, Redskin wide receivers combined for only 5 catches, with none in the first half.<ref name="A Raiders' runaway! 'Skins hogtied, 38-9" /> Another factor was Guy; he punted seven times for an average of 42.7 yards and 34.8 net yards. Five of those punts pinned the Redskins inside their own 20.

This marked the final game in the Hall of Fame career of Raiders linebacker [[Ted Hendricks]], who retired upon earning his fourth Super Bowl ring (three with the Raiders and one with the Baltimore Colts).

The Raiders were the first team to score an offensive, defensive, and special teams touchdown in the same Super Bowl. The Redskins became the second defending champion to lose a Super Bowl (their divisional rivals, the [[Dallas Cowboys]], were the first, losing [[Super Bowl XIII]] after winning [[Super Bowl XII]]). The Redskins would be joined by the [[Green Bay Packers]] in 1998 (won [[Super Bowl XXXI]], lost [[Super Bowl XXXII]]), the [[Seattle Seahawks]] in 2015 (won [[Super Bowl XLVIII]], lost [[Super Bowl XLIX]]), the [[New England Patriots]] in 2018 (won [[Super Bowl LI]], lost [[Super Bowl LII]]), and the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] in 2021 (won [[Super Bowl LIV]], lost [[Super Bowl LV]]) and in 2025 (won [[Super Bowl LVIII]], lost [[Super Bowl LIX]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl History |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/super-bowl/ |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>