10 best seasons in Raiders franchise history
By John Buhler
9. 1974: 12-2 (Lost in AFC Championship Game to Pittsburgh Steelers)
The 1974 Oakland Raiders were one of the best teams in football that year. They went 12-2 during the regular season, losing two games by a combined four points to the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 and the Denver Broncos in Week 11.
Under head coach John Madden, the Raiders would win their fourth AFC West title in five seasons and play in its second straight AFC Championship Game. Oakland was truly dominant that year. Eventual Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Ken Stabler would have his best season of his career in winning NFL MVP.
1974 featured one of the most memorable plays in Raiders playoff history and one of the most disappointing playoff games to date. In the AFC Divisional Round, Oakland would top the Miami Dolphins in thrilling fashion, 28-26. This became known as “The Sea of Hands” Game, as Stabler connected on a game-winning touchdown pass to block-handed running back Clarence Davis with 24 seconds left.
Oakland would be a massive favorite over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1974 AFC Championship Game. Despite being up 10-3 at the end of the third quarter, the Raiders defense would cave in allowing 21 fourth-quarter points to the eventual Super Bowl champion Steelers. Oakland would win the Super Bowl two years later, but 1974 is often remembered as a year of what could have been for Raider Nation.