10 best seasons in Raiders franchise history
By John Buhler
5. 2002: 11-5 (Lost in Super Bowl XXXVII to Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Until the 2016 Raiders got back into the AFC Playoffs, the 2002 team was the last group that reached the AFC Playoffs for the Silver and Black. The 2002 Raiders had an explosive offense led by NFL MVP quarterback Rich Gannon. It’s a shame they couldn’t get it done in Super Bowl XXXVII.
Oakland went 11-5 that season, winning the AFC West easily. The Raiders would skate through the AFC Playoffs effortlessly. Oakland clobber the New York Jets 30-10 in the AFC Divisional Round Game. The Raiders would put up the points in a shootout with the Tennessee Titans in the 2002 AFC Championship Game 41-24 to reach its fifth Super Bowl in franchise history.
There the Raiders would meet their NFL pirate brethren in the NFC Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While Oakland was an offensive juggernaut, the 2002 Buccaneers defense goes down as one of the greatest in NFL history. Teams would run the Tampa 2 scheme for years after this team.
Unfortunately, Raiders Pro Bowl center Barret Robbins would disappear in the week leading unto Super Bowl XXXVII. It was a distraction that Oakland didn’t need against that filthy Monte Kiffin Tampa 2 defense. Tampa Bay would win Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego easily over the Silver and Black, 48-21. The 2002 Raiders have to be one of the best Super Bowl losers in the game’s history without question.