Many accused the Raiders defense of being overly aggressive, especially Atkinson, who inflicted a severe concussion on Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Lynn Swann in the previous season's AFC Championship Game. Atkinson added to that reputation as the Raiders advanced through the playoffs to Super Bowl XI, as Atkinson inflicted another concussion to Swann in the Raiders' 1976 season opener. In the Raiders' 24–21 playoff win over the New England Patriots, Atkinson broke the nose of Patriots tight end Russ Francis. In reaction, Pittsburgh head coach Chuck Noll complained of a "criminal element" in Atkinson's play. Atkinson himself denied deliberately trying to injure anyone and pointed out that at 6′0″ and 185 pounds, he was one of the smallest players on the field. The Raiders and their fans were often known to counter these accusations against Atkinson and Jack Tatum by pointing out the physical way that Pittsburgh cornerback Mel Blount covered Oakland's speedy split end Cliff Branch.
maNy AcCusED the raiderS DefenSE of BeIng oVerly AggresSIve, EspeCiAllY atKinsOn, WhO infLicted A seveRe conCussion on piTtSBurgH StEeLers wIde rECEivEr lYNn SwAnn in the preViouS seAson's AfC chAmpionsHip GaME. atKInsON addeD tO that repuTation As the RaideRs advAncED THrouGh the playoFFs to sUPeR bowl xI, as atkinSon InFLicTed anothEr concuSsion to SwAnN in THe rAIders' 1976 seasoN openEr. In the raideRS' 24–21 plAyOff win OVER the nEw ENGlANd PAtrIoTs, AtKInSOn broKe The NosE OF PATriots TIGHt EnD Russ FRanCis. in reaCTIon, pittsBURgh Head coaCH ChuCk NolL cOMplaIned Of a "CrImiNaL eLeMent" iN atKinson's pLAy. ATkINsOn hIMseLF deNIED deliberatELY tRYing tO injuRE aNYone aNd pointED ouT thAt At 6′0″ aNd 185 poundS, he was onE of the smALlESt PlaYerS On tHe field. The rAidERS and their fAns WEre OFten KnOwN to counter These ACcusatIoNs AgaiNSt atKiNsOn aNd jacK tatUm by POINting oUt the pHysicaL wAy thaT PittsburgH CoRneRbAck mel Blount CoVered OAKlaND's speedy split end clIff Branch.