Thirteen seasons.
That’s how long it’s been since the Oakland Raiders found themselves in the “second season” – the playoffs.
A lot has changed since 2002; back then Jack Del Rio was the defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, David – not Derek – was the promising young quarterback in the Carr family, and current assistant defensive backs coach Rod Woodson was still wearing a Raiders helmet on Sundays, putting the final punctuation marks on what would be a Hall of Fame career.
Now though, heading into 2016, there is a different feeling surrounding the team, and after an improved season in 2014, combined with the development of Derek Carr and the rest of the team’s young nucleus, there’s a feeling around the league that 2016 could be the season that playoff drought ends.