5 times the Raiders got absolutely hosed by the officials

5 times the Raiders got absolutely hosed by the officials

The “Tuck Rule” Game

Since becoming the youngest head coach in NFL history, Jon Gruden set out to turn the Raiders franchise back into winners. After back-to-back 8-8 seasons to kick off his career as a head coach, Gruden and his Raiders became one of the best teams in football, winning 12 games in both 2000 and 2001, securing trips to the postseason.

After the 2000 season, the Raiders shutout Miami in the Divisional Round, before losing 16-3 to the eventual Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens in the AFC title game. During the 2001 season playoffs, the Raiders beat the New York Jets in the Wildcard Round, before meeting up with the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.

On a snowy night in New England, the Raiders appeared to win the game, as Charles Woodson forced a fumble on Tom Brady, a ball which Greg Biekert fell on. However, the refs ruled Brady’s arm was going forward, calling it an incomplete pass, which gave the ball back to the Pats with a chance to tie the game.

You all know how this story ends, right? The Patriots go on to become a dynasty for 20 years, while the Raiders trade away their head coach, and make it back to the playoffs only two times since. Brady has since admitted he fumbled, but it is too late, and to make matters worse, Gruden beat the Raiders in the Super Bowl the following season with Tampa Bay.