Today feels like the return of old times as my favorite team since 2001, the Oakland Raiders, won their 10th game of the season against the Buffalo Bills. In a season that was defined by returning the culture to a winning organization, it didn't come without a bit of drama (and a scare) as it was another close knit victory again.
I am just so proud that the team is back to their winning ways-a lost technique that they used to hold dearly about 14 years ago. The last time my team was in the playoffs was when I was back in high school as a sophomore. They went all the way to the Super Bowl that season (but lost horribly to Tampa Bay) and were regarded as one of the best teams during the early 2000s.
After that season, it was losing season after losing season after losing season that involved changes at head coach, horrible drafting (*cough* Jamarcus Russell), and refusal to find that formula to help us become a winning organization once again. At the time, I was considering changing favorite teams as some of my friends and family suggested, but I stuck with the team in spite of the continued failure.
All of that changed when the culture around the Raiders was in unknown territory after the death of the late, fabled owner, Al Davis (R.I.P.) in 2011. It was a time when the team started to come together in the face of organizational tragedy.
We now have a trusted GM making wise decisions, a head coach who has been to the promised land before, and young and promising talent capable of taking us to places where we haven't been in the past 14 seasons.
At 10 wins and 2 losses, it looks like our long playoff drought will be a distant memory. Now, I don't expect this Raiders team to be in the Super Bowl this year-I just wanted them to make the playoffs and gain respect from all of our opponents.
However far we go this season, I remember all the losing we have done in the past and the struggles to get back to that winning formula, and believe it was all worth it to get back to the promised land. All I can say is that it feels great to be a Raider fan once again and I am loving every moment of it!
