There is arguably no more notorious franchise in NFL history than the Oakland Raiders. For decades, few teams in all of sports have embodied their moniker more than the Raiders. Before glancing at this year’s Raiders schedule, let’s take a look back at the Silver and Black.
Raiders Schedule: Past and Present
The Oakland Raiders were founded in 1960 as an original member of the American Football League. Following the 1962 season, Al Davis was named head coach and general manager. Davis left briefly in 1966 to become the AFL Commissioner, but returned to the team as a general partner after the league merged with the NFL.
After acquiring quarterback Daryle Lamonica, the Raiders knocked off the Houston Oilers in the 1967 AFC title game. The Raiders secured a spot in Super Bowl II with the win, but suffered a 33-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
In 1969, John Madden would become the team’s new head coach. The Raiders reached the AFL title game in his first season, but lost to the Chiefs. During Madden’s run from 1969-78, the Raiders never had a losing season. Oakland won its division six times and beat the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI.
Under new coach Tom Flores, the Raiders returned to the title bout in 1980. Led by quarterback Jim Plunkett and cornerback Kenny King, the Raiders hammered the Eagles, 27-10, in Super Bowl XV.
Following the 1981 season, the Raiders left Oakland for Los Angeles. Just two seasons later, Marcus Allen led the now L.A. Raiders in a 38-9 rout of the Redskins in 1983. The win marks the last time the team hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.
The Raiders stayed in Los Angeles before moving back to Oakland after the 1994 season. The Raiders won three straight AFC West titles from 2000-2002, with the run culminated by an AFC championship in 2002. The celebration wouldn’t last long, as the Raiders were embarrassed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 48-21, in Super Bowl XXXVII. The Bucs were coach by Jon Gruden, who the Raiders sent to the Bucs for a compensation package prior to the start of the season.
The Super Bowl loss sent the Raiders into a tailspin they haven’t gotten out of. Since the loss, the Raiders have yet to post a record above .500 in any season.
Download: Raiders Schedule