Piece of History Available Post-Season for the Las Vegas Raiders

For the Las Vegas Raiders, the 2024 NFL post-season isn’t just about chasing a Super Bowl berth—it’s an opportunity to secure a “piece of history” that would etch this team into the franchise’s storied legacy. Since relocating to Las Vegas in 2020, the Raiders have yet to advance past the first round of the playoffs, and key milestones (like a home playoff win or a division title) have remained just out of reach. But this season, with a 9-5 record and a legitimate shot at the AFC wildcard, the team stands on the cusp of breaking new ground—whether it’s earning the franchise’s first playoff victory in Sin City, seeing a star player rewrite the record books, or cementing a young core as the next generation of Raiders legends. Piece of History Available Post-Season for the Las Vegas Raiders explores the tangible and symbolic historical moments within the team’s grasp, how they’d resonate with long-time fans, and why this post-season could mark a turning point in the Raiders’ Las Vegas era.

Piece of History Available Post-Season for the Las Vegas Raiders begins with the chance to secure the first home playoff win in Las Vegas franchise history—a milestone that would bridge the gap between the team’s iconic past in Oakland and its future in Nevada. Since moving to Allegiant Stadium in 2020, the Raiders have hosted one playoff game (a 2021 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals) but have never tasted victory on their home turf in the post-season. This year, if they earn a wildcard bye or a top-6 seed, they’ll likely host a playoff game—and a win would not only advance their Super Bowl hopes but also create a defining moment for the Las Vegas fanbase. “That first home playoff win would mean everything,” said Raiders historian Jim Miller, who has documented the franchise’s history since the 1970s. “For fans who followed the team from Oakland, it’s a way to feel that same championship energy in a new city. For newer fans, it’s a chance to create their own Raiders playoff memories—ones that don’t just involve looking back at the ‘Silver and Black’ glory days of the 70s and 80s.” The significance extends beyond the scoreboard: a home playoff win would also solidify Allegiant Stadium as a “playoff fortress,” something the team has struggled to build since the move. With the stadium’s raucous crowd and unique game-day atmosphere, a post-season victory there would become a story fans tell for decades.

Another piece of history within reach is wide receiver Davante Adams’ pursuit of the Raiders’ single-season playoff receiving yards record—a mark currently held by Hall of Famer Tim Brown (307 yards in the 2000 post-season). Adams, who has already had a standout regular season (89 catches, 1,120 yards, 9 touchdowns), has shown he can elevate his game in the playoffs: in his Green Bay Packers tenure, he averaged 85 receiving yards per post-season game. If the Raiders advance to two or three playoff games, Adams has a realistic shot at surpassing Brown’s record—and in the process, cementing his place among the greatest pass-catchers in Raiders history. “Tim Brown is a legend, but Davante has the talent to rewrite that record book,” Miller said. “What makes it special is that Adams would do it in a Raiders uniform—something many fans didn’t expect when he was traded here in 2022. It would turn him from a ‘star who played for the Raiders’ into a ‘Raiders star,’ and that’s a big difference for a franchise that values its legacy.” Adams himself has acknowledged the record’s importance, telling reporters, “To be mentioned with guys like Tim Brown? That’s why you play this game. If I can help this team win and make history along the way, that’s the ultimate goal.” A record-breaking post-season would also add weight to Adams’ case for future Hall of Fame induction—especially if he leads the Raiders deep into the playoffs.

A critical part of Piece of History Available Post-Season for the Las Vegas Raiders is the opportunity to snap a 20-year AFC West division title drought—a dry spell that has hung over the franchise since their last division crown in 2002. While the Kansas City Chiefs currently lead the AFC West (11-3), the Raiders still have a slim chance to overtake them if they win out and the Chiefs lose their final two games (against the Bengals and Chargers). Winning the division wouldn’t just secure a higher playoff seed—it would end a two-decade stretch of playing second fiddle to the Chiefs, Broncos, and Chargers, and reestablish the Raiders as a force in their historic division. “That 2002 division title was the last time the Raiders felt like a true powerhouse,” said former Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon, who led the team to the Super Bowl that season. “Winning the AFC West now would show that this team isn’t just a playoff contender—it’s a division leader, and that’s a piece of history that would make old-school fans proud. For the Las Vegas Raiders, it’s a way to say, ‘We’re back,’ and that’s a message everyone in the NFL would hear.” A division title would also come with a first-round bye, giving the Raiders extra rest—a valuable asset for a team relying on a young quarterback like Aidan O’Connell. For the Las Vegas Raiders, this drought-ending achievement would be more than just a trophy; it would be a validation of the franchise’s rebuild and a sign that better days are ahead.

Another historical opportunity lies in the potential for rookie defensive tackle Byron Young to become the first Raiders rookie since 1980 to record 5+ sacks in a single post-season—a feat last accomplished by Hall of Fame defensive end Howie Long. Young, who has 4 sacks in the regular season, has emerged as a pass-rushing force in recent weeks, with 3 sacks in his last four games. If the Raiders advance to three playoff games, Young has a realistic shot at hitting the 5-sack mark—and in the process, joining Long as one of the few Raiders rookies to dominate in the post-season. “Howie Long set the bar for rookie pass rushers here, and Byron has the chance to stand right next to him,” Miller said. “What makes it special is that Young wasn’t a first-round pick—he was a third-rounder who flew under the radar. His story is classic Raiders: an underdog who becomes a star, and doing it in the playoffs would make it even more memorable. For the Las Vegas Raiders, Young’s success would also show that their draft strategy—even if it’s been criticized—can produce impact players who shape the franchise’s future.” Young’s post-season performance could also influence his future with the team: a breakout playoff run would likely speed up contract extension talks and solidify his role as a core piece of the Raiders’ defense for years to come.

Wrapping up Piece of History Available Post-Season for the Las Vegas Raiders is the symbolic “passing of the torch” that a deep playoff run would represent—a moment where the Las Vegas Raiders’ current core steps out of the shadow of the franchise’s Oakland-era legends and becomes legends themselves. For decades, Raiders fans have clung to memories of John Madden, Ken Stabler, and Marcus Allen—but this team, with Adams, Maxx Crosby, and O’Connell, has the chance to create new memories that fans will talk about for generations. “Legacies are built in the playoffs,” Gannon said. “The Oakland Raiders had their playoff moments—now it’s time for the Las Vegas Raiders to have theirs. Whether it’s a home win, a record broken, or a division title, that piece of history will be what defines this team for years. It’s not just about winning games—it’s about leaving a mark, and this post-season is their chance to do that.” For the Las Vegas Raiders, this historical opportunity is also a way to connect with the city: a deep playoff run would unite Las Vegas around the team, turning casual fans into diehards and making the Raiders an even more integral part of the city’s identity. Piece of History Available Post-Season for the Las Vegas Raiders ultimately shows that this post-season isn’t just about football—it’s about making history, and the Raiders are ready to seize that chance.