For the past 13 years, the Oakland Raiders have been terrible. A carousel of different head coaches, a lack of reliable talent, and a series of unfortunate moves made by the front office have all lead up to this season.

Let’s go back to 2002. Raider’s former head coach Jon Gruden left the team to go to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Little did they know that the two teams would meet in the Super Bowl the very next year. Since Gruden was very familiar with the now opposing team and their tendencies, the Buccaneers went out on top with an overwhelming victory, 21 – 48.

Yes, the Raiders had a Super Bowl caliber team, but they were not built to last.

What the Raiders had in skill and experience, they lacked in youth. Rich Gannon, starting quarterback, was 38 years old. Defensive leader and future hall of famer Rod Woodson was aged 37. Star receivers Jerry Rice and Tim Brown were aged 41 and 37, and they too earned a trip to the hall of fame years later. Although this all-star squad was good enough to make it to the championship game, a team built around players who wouldn’t be around a long time could not stay dominant.

The team fell apart. For the next 13 years, mediocrity was the best that the Raiders could get to. Aside from two 8 win and 8 loss seasons, the Raiders best win total was 5 wins and 11 losses. The playoffs were not even in question anymore, let alone another Super Bowl berth.

Until the 2016 season.

After 13 years the Raiders have had 9 head coaches, 19 starting quarterbacks, and millions of depressed fans.

Before the start of the 2012 season, a front office change brought in General Manager Reggie Mckenzie. During his first two years, the Raiders went 4-12 in each season. In the magical summer before the 2014 season, more changes were made. In the NFL draft, defensive star Khalil Mack and quarterback Derek Carr were selected in the first two rounds. With new additions to both sides of the ball, it seemed as if this season would be the one to remember. However, the Raiders started with an underwhelming 0-10 start. Mack and Carr got together and knew a change had to be made. Although neither was particularly playing badly, the Raiders were not winning. The two knew that they had to take over and fill the leadership role the team so desperately needed.

The Raiders went 3-3 in their final 6 games.

On the eve of the 2015 season, this puzzling situation seemed to be more and more clear. An offseason pickup of experienced wide receiver Michael Crabtree added to the offense. Number 4 overall draft pick Amari Cooper was also acquired giving the Raiders two top tier wide outs. On the defensive end, former super bowl MVP, and Taft High School native Malcolm Smith brought his skills to the team. The Raiders even got the best punter in college football, Marquette King, to add to their bunch. The future was looking bright for the city of Oakland coming into the 2015 season. However, this was not the case. With a slight improvement from the season prior, the Raiders finished 7-9.

Would the Raiders ever win more that 8 games in a season?

During the offseason before the 2016 year, the Raiders were all business. With a significant loss in Safety Charles Woodson, the seasoned veteran who was at the end of an illustrious career, many gaps in the defense had to be filled. Hard hitting safety Karl Joseph was drafted by the Raiders in the first round. With huge shoes to fill, he knew his job would be crucial. Former Super Bowl champion linebacker Bruce Irvin was added to complement Khalil Mack on defense. All star cornerback Sean Smith brought his experience as well to Oakland’s secondary.

And finally it all fell into place.

So far, the Oakland Raiders are 9-2. This is the most wins by a Raider team since the 2002 season. With the emergence of Derek Carr on pace for his best season yet, he is easily an MVP candidate. Khalil Mack continues to impress. Coming off a season where he was mere votes away from the defensive player of the year award Mack made history last week where he scored his first ever touchdown, intercepted a pass, and recovered a fumble. He was the first to do so since Charles Woodson, his former teammate and apprentice.

With 6 weeks left in the season, the Raiders are currently in the top seed in their conference. They are tied for the second best record in the league. This season, the league has learned that the Raiders are no fluke. Oakland is finally gaining respect. The last time the Raiders played this well to start a season, they made it to the Super Bowl. Will they make it back to the coveted game in February, or will fans face another year of disappointment? They need to do what every great team does. Focus on one game at a time, one day at a time, and keep being great.

The late owner of the Raiders Al Davis said it best: “Just win baby!”