2012 Oakland Raiders Preview

2012 Oakland Raiders

The 2011 Oakland Raiders have to be one of the most underachieving teams in recent memory that had already outplayed their expectations. For example, the Raiders were not expected to tie for first place in the AFC West, but they did, at 8-8. They did not make the playoffs because they did not control the tiebreaker. 8-8 was a good year for Oakland, but when you look at the details, it could have been so much better. The Raiders set all-time records in penalties and penalty yards. How many more games do you think they could have won if they weren’t the most bone-headed team ever? They would have only needed to win one more game to make the playoffs. Also, even after trading for Carson Palmer, Oakland lost four out of the last five games, including the final game at home against the Chargers, which would have given them a division title with a win. They did all this with an injured Darren McFadden, their best player. The opportunities were all there for them but the Raiders were not able to take advantage of the moment. It was an overachieving season that turned into disappointment at the end. Only the Raiders can shoot themselves in the foot like that. This years team has the talent to win this division, but I’m guessing something will undoubtedly go wrong and break the hearts of Raiders fans everywhere. It doesn’t help that Dennis Allen is the next name up in the Oakland coaching carousel. Let’s take a deeper look inside the team.

Offense

This is an offense that can put up points in a hurry. Carson Palmer is entering his first full season as the Oakland quarterback, and it is unclear how he will do. He has a big arm and fast, young weapons on the outside, but he’s shown that he will throw a ton of interceptions, so it’s fair to expect more of the same. He will be throwing to his two young guns at wide out, Denarius Moore and former first rounder Darrius Heyward-Bey. Both of these guys can fly, and Palmer has the arm strength to hit them deep. Big pass plays will be put up in Oakland. Of course, the star on this team is running back Darren McFadden, who has the talent and the track record to become the best running back in all of football. He is absolutely electric when he’s on the field, but that is quite a large “if”. The other thing McFadden has a track record of is being notoriously injured, and the next time we see him play a full 16 game season will be his first. Run-DMC’s bones seem to be made of glass because he constantly gets sidelined, taking the dynamic plays he can make out of the offense. I think that this season, if he plays all 16 games then he will be the number one running back in fantasy (and, therefore, in the actual NFL). I can say that, because I don’t think it is going to happen. Not this year, Oakland fans. He’s going to get hurt in some way. His potential injuries and Palmer’s knack for turning the ball over will limit the potential of this unit.

Defense

The Oakland Raiders defense has seen better days. Everyone in this unit must really have an affection for the color yellow, because it felt like they went out of their way to be hit with flags. An aging Richard Seymour anchors an average defensive line, Rolando McClain is fairly solid at middle linebacker, and Tyvon Branch is a tackling machine at safety. Even though they have a few individuals with talent, nothing about the Raider defense really scares you, and they give up lots of points. Why would anything change this year? If Oakland wants to be relevant this year, they’re going to have to outscore people.

Schedule

The Oakland Raiders have to play the AFC North and the NFC South this year, which will make it very difficult to repeat their 8-8 record from last season. However, strange things happen in the bay area, and if Oakland were to win the division this year, it wouldn’t shock me (that much). There won’t be many breaks in this unforgiving schedule, so let’s see how they’ll do.

Week 1: W vs SD

Week 2: L at MIA (short week, flying across the country)

Week 3: L vs PIT

Week 4: L at DEN

Week 5: Bye

Week 6: L at ATL

Week 7: W vs JAC

Week 8: L at KC

Week 9: W vs TB

Week 10: L at BAL

Week 11: L vs NO

Week 12: L at CIN

Week 13: W vs CLE

Week 14: W vs DEN

Week 15: W vs KC

Week 16: L at CAR

Week 17: L at SD

I have the Kansas City game in Week 8 in my Darren McFadden injury pool. I don’t think he’ll have a devastating injury, just one that will keep him out of some games and limited in others over the course of the rest of the season. Anyway, the 2012 Oakland Raiders will finish at 6-10, and will look very foolish for making that Carson Palmer trade. He might not even be the starter by the end of the year. After my bold prediction I’ll wrap up the AFC with the San Diego Chargers. See you there!

Bold Prediction: Darren McFadden will get injured Week 8 but still be active for some of the remaining games. He will finish with 1,000 yards rushing, but be nowhere as effective as he would have been. He’ll be a top 25 back.