The 1979 Oakland Raiders season was their 10th in the league, and 20th overall. They matched their previous season's output of 9âÂÂ7. Oakland started off 1âÂÂ3, rallied to 6âÂÂ4, then fell to 6âÂÂ6 after an upset loss to the Kansas City chiefs. Oakland then went on a three-game winning streak that featured a 14âÂÂ10 defensive struggle in Denver, a comeback win in New Orleans after trailing 35âÂÂ14 in the 3rd quarter, and a 19âÂÂ14 win over the Cleveland Browns. In the season finale the Raiders stood at 9âÂÂ6 in need of a win at home against the Seattle Seahawks to have a shot at a wildcard playoff spot. However, it was not to be, as Seattle quarterback Jim Zorn's 314 yards and 2 TD passes eliminated the Raiders, 29âÂÂ24.
This was the first season since 1964 that the Raiders finished lower than second place in the AFL/AFC West.