The rise and fall of the Raiders defense, specifically the run defense, and it's effect on post-season play.

1976 Raiders-

Pts. - 12th (16.9, 237 for the season)
Yards - 18th (312.8)
Pass Yards - 23rd (176.9)
Rush Yards - 10th (135.9)
Sacks - 6th (46)
Ints - 16th (16)

The 1976 defeated the Minnesota Vikings in the Super Bowl 32-14. During this game, the Raiders defense held Minnesota to 2.7 yards per carry rushing. They forced a fumble and recovered it on their own goal line, and returned an int 75 yards for a TD. The Vikings were 6-17 on 3rd down.

'76 Raiders defeat '83 Raiders

1983 Raiders-

Pts. - 13th (21.1, 338 for the season)
Yards- 4th (296.8)
Pass yards - 13th (197.6)
Rush yards - 4th (99.1)
Sacks -2nd (57)
Ints-20th (20)

Sacks-
Howie Long 13
Greg Townsend 10.5
Lyle Alzado 7
Bill Pickel 6
Rod Martin 6

Ints-
Vann McElroy 8
Rod Martin 4
Lester Hayes 2

The Los Angeles Raiders finished 12-4 and went on to win the Super Bowl 38-9 vs. the Redskins. In that game they held the Redskins to 3.9 yards per play, 2.9 per carry rushing the ball. The recovered 2 fumbles and got 2 picks as well.
America's Game

2002 Raiders-

Pts. - 6th (19)
Yards - 11th (311.2)
Pass Yards- 23rd (220.4)
Rush Yards- 3rd (90.8)
Sacks - 6th (43)
Ints - 5th (21)

The constant from the Super Bowl teams does indeed seem to be the run defense. In 2003, the Raiders dropped to dead last in the NFL, and have pretty much stayed in the basement since then.

2010 Raiders-

Pts. - 20th (23.2, 371 for the season)
Yards - 11th (322.8)
Pass Yards - 2nd (189.2)
Rush Yards - 29th (133.6)
Sacks - 2nd (47)
Ints - 25th (12)


2011 Raiders-

Pts.- 28th
Yards - 26th
Pass Yards - 16th
Rush Yards - 29th
Sacks - 4th
Ints - 10th

There's the grim news right there. You don't stop the run, expect to lose.