I once got, let's say, chastised for congratulating Al Davis on a season-ending win at Kansas City that not only gave the Raiders an 8-8 record but also ended a string of seven straight losing seasons.
"If that's the world you live in," Davis told me that day, Jan. 2, 2011, deep in the bowels of Arrowhead Stadium.
So after Sunday's white-knuckle 14-12 season-ending victory over the Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium, I reminded Mark Davis of how I got in "trouble" with his late father 15 years and two days earlier.
He smiled.
I asked, then, how HE would react if I congratulated him not only on a win that closed the Raiders' season with a 3-14 record, but ended a near-two year losing streak in the AFC West.
The younger Davis' grin grew larger as he approached his car, yes, deep in the bowels of Allegiant Stadium.
"I'd say I was happy with the win," he told me. "I'm happy with the win. I always want to win a game. We beat the Chiefs so, yeah, I'm happy."
No, he was not happy with the way the season went.
Yes, he was happy with winning a game. And was more than intrigued entering the offseason armed with the No. 1 draft pick.
After all, two differing opinions can be correct and, yes, coexist.
Because, truly, there was no better way to end a bitter season than how the Raiders closed things out on Sunday.
Eight sacks by a defense playing without Maxx Crosby, two each by rookie defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway and edge rushers Charles Snowden and Tyree Wilson, one of which was a safety?
Check, and that sounds promising for the future.
Running back Ashton Jeanty setting a franchise record for scrimmage yards by a rookie while getting within a whisker of a 1,000-yard rushing season?
Done, and check out what he had to say about it later.
Aidan O'Connell, making his season debut in relief and doing just enough to give whomever the coach is next season cause to pause and have confidence in AOC as more than a stopgap quarterback?
Potentially (check back after the draft).
A career-long 60-yard field goal for the win in what had been the definition of a trying season for consummate pro Daniel Carlson?
"What better way to enter free agency, right?" a teammate said of the heretofore-and-reborn Ca$h Money Carlson, who had four field goals. "Hey, check out my tape."
Let's not get over our skis here; a 3-14 season is still a 3-14 season. And the victory did come against the broken Chiefs' 'jayvee' squad.
But in the NFL, a win is a win is a win (whether it's at the Patriots in the season opener, against the Titans in Week 6, or the Chiefs in the finale).
Or, just take Jeanty at his word after he finished with 94 scrimmage yards against the Chiefs to give him 1,321 such yards on the season, five more than Josh Jacobs had in 2019, to set the Raiders record for a rookie.
"It's wonderful, obviously," said Jeanty, who also led all NFL rookies with 975 rushing yards. "It's always great to break a record. But it just shows, you know, there's still light in what I would say is darkness right now.
"It's only going to get better. … It's something I can build off of, and all the guys around me, [too]. So I'm just extremely thankful and grateful to be able to accomplish all of that."
Wilson showing up and showing out with his two sacks was as needed as his hit on the safety of Shane Buechele was impressive.
So I asked Wilson if he felt the air leave Buechele's body on the picture-perfect hit. Wilson, a former No. 7 overall draft pick who had four sacks on the season and now has 12 in his three-year career, shrugged as he carefully placed his black Stetson cowboy hat upon his head.
"Nah, nah, I couldn't," Wilson laughed. "Pre-rush, I knew the chip [block] was outside, I got outside. [Defensive line coach] Robbie [Leonard] told me to burn it. He was there, he held the ball, and I smoked him. I tried to get the ball off of him."
From a certain point of view, the safety proved to be the two-point difference in the game.
From another, it was the final game in another season filled with what-if's, and what-was-that's?
Still, as Davis got into his car to leave the stadium, I reminded him of the capital and draft-controlling factor that comes with holding the No. 1 pick. No, I didn't congratulate him on having the top pick for the first time since the Raiders selected JaMarcus Russell in 2007. Or remind him that the only other time the Raiders had the first pick of a draft was a year before his father came to the Raiders, the 1962 AFL Draft.
Though Roman Gabriel chose the NFL's Rams instead.
But in today's NFL, there is something exciting about holding that top pick. An aura all by itself. The eyes of the entire league are on you and, well, you have some semblance of control, right?
"That's great but that's for the future," Davis said. "We've got some things to figure out now."
Welcome to the world in which the Raiders live…for now.
View photos from the Raiders' Week 18 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) and defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Jahfari Harvey (91) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the sidelines during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (15) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Atonio Mafi (56) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Alex Cappa (65) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tristin McCollum (27) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45), cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) and safety Tristin McCollum (27) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders offense during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52), defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) and defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) and running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) kicks a 32-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) and running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) lines up before kicking a 23-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Jahfari Harvey (91) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Greedy Vance (41) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Charles Grant (60) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Dalton Wagner (78) on the sidelines during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (4) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) lines up before kicking a 55-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer (50) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Jahfari Harvey (91) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Jahfari Harvey (91) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (4) and cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (4) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) and linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) makes a tackle for a safety during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) makes a tackle for a safety during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) celebrates with teammates after making a tackle for a safety during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) and linebacker Devin White (45) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jon Rhattigan (59) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) lines up before kicking a 60-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) celebrates with teammates after kicking a 60-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) celebrates with teammates after kicking a 60-yard field goal during the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (55) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll addresses his players in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll addresses his players in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll addresses his players in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll addresses his players in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll addresses his players in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders huddle in the locker room after the regular season home game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
