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Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders Schedule - NFL 2012

Overview of the Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders were a foundation member of the American Football League in 1960 and joined the NFL as part of the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. The Raiders were the dominant franchise in the initial years after the merger qualifying for the playoffs in seven of the first eight seasons and winning the Super Bowl in 1976. The Raiders won another Super Bowl in 1980, moved to Los Angeles in 1982 and won their third Super Bowl in 1983. The franchise returned to Oakland in 1995 and despite some early success has struggled. The Raiders have not qualified for the playoffs since 2002.

Statistics Overview of the Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders were established in 1960. The franchise returned to Oakland in 1995 and have played their home matches at O.co Coliseum ever since. The Raiders are three time Super Bowl champions and have won four AFC Conference Championships. They have won the AFC West on fifteen occasions and qualified for the playoffs twenty-one tomes. The Raiders have an overall record of 426-351-11 and an impressive playoffs record of 25-18. The Raiders rivalry with the Denver Broncos is one of the most intense in the AFC.

Conference: AFC
Established: 1960
Stadium: O.co Coliseum (1966-1981, 1995- present)
Super Bowl Championships: 3 (1976, 1980, 1983)
Conference Championships: 4 (1976, 1980, 1983, 2002)
Division Championships: 15 (1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1983, 1985, 1990, 2000, 2001, 2002)
Playoff Appearances:: 21 (1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1990, 1991, 1993, 2000, 2001, 2002)
Overall Record: 426-351-11
Playoff Record: 25-18
Biggest Rivals: Denver Broncos
Head Coach: Dennis Allen
Legenday Players: Ken Stabler, Marcus Allen, Tim Brown, Gene Upshaw

Oakland Raiders: Star Players for 2012

Quarterback: Carson Palmer

Carson Palmer was selected with the 1st pick of the 2003 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. Palmer did not play as a rookie in 2003 but was promoted to the starting quarterback role in 2004. Palmer had a solid year but had his breakout season the next year, leading the Bengals to a winning record and the playoffs for the first time in fifteen years. He was selected in the AFC Pro Bowl team and was named AFC Player of the year, NFL Quarterback of the year and NFL Air Player of the year. Palmer was selected for the Pro Bowl again in 2006 but has never been able to reach the heights of his 2005 season. After a poor 2010 season Palmer requested a trade away from the Bengals. Finally, after months of negotiations, Palmer got the trade he was after, moving to the Oakland Raiders. The trade was considered one of the most one-sided in NFL history, with many experts believing the Raiders were 'ripped off'. Palmer had a shocking 2011 season and ended the year with more interceptions then touchdowns. Palmer is under significant pressure to perform in 2012 and repay the faith the Raiders franchise showed in him.

Offensive Star: Darren McFadden

Darren McFadden was selected with the 4th pick in the 2008 NFL draft. McFadden's NFL career has been plagued by injuries but when fully fit he is one of the best running backs in the league. McFadden's best season was in 2010, when he played a career high thirteen games and rushed for 1157 yards. McFadden was the number one ranked running back after six weeks of the 2012 NFL season but was struck down with injury in week seven and didn't play for the rest of the year. If he stays fit in 2012 McFadden could prove to be the best running back in the entire NFL.

Defensive Star: Richard Seymour

Richard Seymour was selected by the New England Patriots with the 6th pick of the 2001 NFL draft. Seymour is considered one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL. While at the Patriots he was a three time Super Bowl Champion and was selected for the AFC Pro Bowl team on five occasions. In 2009, the Patriots traded Seymour to the Oakland Raiders for a first-round pick in the 2011 draft. Seymour was unhappy about being traded, but this did not affect his form and he finished the season as the Raiders leading defender. Seymour returned to the AFC Pro Bowl team in 2010 and 2011 and was selected for the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team. Seymour was the one shining light in the Raiders defense last season and will be pivotal to them improving in 2012.

Head Coach: Dennis Allen

Dennis Allen began his NFL coaching career as a defensive assistant at the Atlanta Falcons in 2002. Allen moved to the New Orleans Saints before being named defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos in 2011. Allen improved the Broncos defense significantly in 2011 and was named head coach of the Oakland Raiders for the 2012 season. Allen has not been able add many players to the Raiders squad in the offseason, with the Raiders having no picks in the first two rounds of the draft. Allen's main focus will be improving the Raiders discipline as they finished the 2011 season as the most penalized team in NFL history.