Charles Woodson’s Top 5 Raiders Moments

2. 2002 Playoffs: Woodson Returns from Injury to Get Raiders to the Super Bowl

Most Raider fans remember 2002 as the last great year for the Silver and Black. The team made it all the way to the Super Bowl before being embarrassed by their former coach, and have never been the same since. But for Charles Woodson, 2002 was not even close to his best year as a Raider. He only played in eight games during the 2002 season, managing a single interception and missing the Pro Bowl for the first time in his NFL career. He injured his shoulder badly in week two, then came back mid-season only to break a bone in his leg in week 14 and miss the final three games of the season.

But Woodson made it back in time for the playoffs, and started all three games. In the Divisional round against the Jets, Woodson was back in shutdown mode, holding Santa Moss to 4 receptions for 45 yards – on 11 targets. In the AFC Championship Game against the Titans, Woodson held Derrick Mason to 5 receptions for 41 yards as the Raiders rolled into the Super Bowl.

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Charles Woodson recorded his only career playoff interception in the Super Bowl that year as the Raiders crashed and burned behind three pick-sixes (and five total INT) from Rich Gannon. Keshawn Johnson, matched up against Woodson most of the game, managed six receptions and 69 yards but did not score – Keenan McCardell caught both Buccaneer touchdown passes that night – but Woodson’s pick and his job in containing the dangerous Johnson was all for naught.

Woodson would go on to have several outstanding playoff runs with the Packers, including one that resulted in a Super Bowl victory, but as a Raider, 2003 was perhaps his best playoff run, despite the tragic ending. He came back from a tough injury to play well and help his team get to the Super Bowl, but sadly couldn’t get it done. The tough loss in that game has always nagged at Woodson, despite his success in Green Bay.