Richmond have overcome a rash of injuries to maul Adelaide by 47 points and equal the AFL winning streak at the MCG.
The 15.13 (103) to 8.8 (56) win leaves the Crows floundering with a 7-8 record, at least a game plus percentage outside the top eight.
It is Adelaide's lowest score against the Tigers and they now face a must-win game next Thursday night at home against Geelong.
Richmond now have 17-straight wins on their home ground - a streak that includes last September's grand final win over the Crows.
That equals the record set by Melbourne in the 1950s.
Adelaide pressed late in the third quarter, kicking two goals and reducing the margin to 16 points at the last change.
The Tigers had lost Jack Graham to a dislocated shoulder after half-time and Dan Butler spent time on the bench with an ankle injury before returning in the last quarter.
But despite Nathan Broad suffering a suspected fractured cheekbone in the last term and Daniel Rioli briefly leaving the field with a sore groin, the Tigers were able to hit the afterburners again in the last term.
The reigning premiers kicked six goals to one in the final term.
Richmond have won 12 of their 16 last quarters this season, the best in the league.
"I'm really proud of the effort - Adelaide are starting to get their game back up and going," said Tigers coach Damien Hardwick.
"They're a tough outfit, so it's a good win versus a good side.
"There was a bit of a shuffling of the deckchairs there late.
"The players assume the positions, where they're needed, to make the right decisions at the right time.
Tigers defender David Astbury was outstanding and made sure Adelaide captain Taylor Walker had a dirty night, while fellow backman Dylan Grimes also impressed.
Walker's only highlight was a booming goal from inside the centre square during the third term.
When asked about Walker's game, coach Don Pyke said not enough Crows players stood up when needed against Richmond.
"I don't know if too much is necessarily being left to him - he's a really important player down there for us," Pyke said.
"You need your leaders to stand up and play really well, but if you look at the weight of numbers of contributions from players, Richmond were far stronger in that space.
"All of their guys would have had their hands up, saying they played a really solid game.
"Unfortunately we can't say that about ourselves tonight."
Brownlow Medallist Dustin Martin emerged from his run of below-par form to shine in the second half, while Shane Edwards and Kane Lambert were also prominent.
Graham dislocated his shoulder trying to tackle Myles Poholke.
Crows defender Daniel Talia also added to their injury woes when he hurt his foot early in the game.
Talia played out the match, but clearly was below his best.
Rory Sloane and Matt Crouch were prolific in the midfield for Adelaide and Josh Jenkins kicked three goals.
