The Las Vegas Raiders, formerly Oakland and Los Angeles, have been around since 1960 and there have been plenty of good teams throughout their history. The Raiders have won three Super Bowl titles, but they have had plenty of other teams that have been good, that just couldn't get the job done in the playoffs.
Let's take a look at the five greatest Raiders teams in franchise history.
1974
The 1974 Raiders team didn't make it to the Super Bowl, but they are still one of the best teams in history. Oakland, led by Ken Stabler, had a 12-2 regular-season record. Stabler finished the season throwing for 2,469 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, which was enough to win the MVP award. Cliff Branch was the Oakland's best wide receiver catching 60 passes for 1,092 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The Raiders beat the Miami Dolphins in their first playoff game, but the Pittsburgh Steelers proved to be too much the next weekend beating them 24-13 in the conference title game. Not making it to the Super Bowl was disappointing, but they still had a nice season.
1980
The 1980 Raiders team really had to fight for their Super Bowl win, but they got it done when it mattered the most—the playoffs.
Oakland was 2-3 after Week 5 of the 1980 season, but the team quickly turned it around, finding success. Oakland finished the regular season with an 11-5 record, which was good enough for the wild card spot. Quarterback Jim Plunkett didn't have elite numbers, but he seemed to make plays when they needed him most. In the playoffs, the Raiders had to go through the Houston Oilers, Cleveland Browns, and San Diego Chargers to get to the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XV wasn't much of a test against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Raiders gave up only 10 points, and that was enough to win by a 17-point margin.
1976
The Raiders' 1976 team was special for a couple of reasons. Oakland had appeared in three straight AFC Championship games heading into the 1976 season but they lost each of those games. Oakland finished the regular season with a 13-1 record, with the only loss coming against the New England Patriots in Week 4. The Raiders weren't super highly ranked in any category, but they knew how to win games—the most important thing.
In the playoffs, they got some revenge against the Patriots, beating them 24-21 in the divisional round. In the AFC Championship, the Raiders had no issue with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In the Super Bowl XI, the Raiders offense put up 32 points, and that led to an easy victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
2002
The most recent team on this list was the 2002 Raiders squad. The Raiders went 11-5 during the regular season and didn't have a whole lot of resistance until the Super Bowl. Rich Gannon was the guy under center, having one of the best years of his career. The Raiders had the number one overall passing offense in football, but in the Super Bowl, they didn't do enough. The Raiders gave up 48 points to Jon Gruden's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The offense scored 21 points, too, but that wasn't enough.
1983
There is no other name to explain the Raiders 1983 team than that they were pure dominance. The Raiders, in Los Angeles, finished the regular season with a 12-4 record, but it's during the playoffs when they flexed their muscles.
The divisional round game, Los Angeles knocked off the Steelers 38-10. In the AFC Championship Game, it was the Seattle Seahawks in their way, but the Raiders made quick work of them 30-14.
In Super Bowl XVIII, the Washington Redskins were in their way. The L.A. offense again ran up the score, putting up 38 points. The defense only gave up nine, and the Super Bowl victory was in the bag.
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