Record: 13-1
Super Bowl: Beat Minnesota 32-14
Coach: John Madden
John Madden's only Super Bowl champ may not have been quite as powerful as its 13-1 record would indicate. True, the offense was a devastating mix of the long ball (Cliff Branch averaged more than 24 yards on 46 catches) and grind-it-out running attack (Pro Bowlers Art Shell and Gene Upshaw paved the way for Mark van Eeghen and Clarence Davis), but the defense had holes (18th in the NFL in yards allowed) and just one Pro Bowler in linebacker Phil Villapiano.
A less-than-impressive 113-point scoring differential means the Raiders pulled out a lot of squeakers -- they won five games by four points or less -- and their biggest win was 49-16 over the 0-14 expansion Bucs.
Quarterback Ken Stabler had the best season of his career, leading the NFL in touchdowns (27), completion percentage (66.7), yards per attempt (9.4) and QB rating (103.6). Besides Branch, the receiving weapons including All-Pro tight end Dave Casper and veteran wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff.
The defense featured some famous names -- Ted Hendricks, Jack Tatum, Otis Sistrunk and John Matuszak -- but also gave up some big rushing games to its opponents. (The Patriots ran for 296 yards in a 48-17 regular-season win.) The Raiders did exact revenge against New England in the playoffs with a 24-17 victory, although a controversial roughing the passer penalty helped set up Oakland's winning touchdown. The Raiders did demolish the Vikings in the Super Bowl. Plus, this team would certainly be fun to celebrate with after victories.