While the Oakland Raiders have to wait until Friday, April 27, before using their first draft pick, which falls at the end of the third round at 95th overall, there have been many discussions while the Raider Nation waits patiently to find out who will be the newest members of the Silver and Black.

One of the discussions came about when the Oakland Raiders official Twitter account tweeted out an interesting trivia question, ” #NFLDraft trivia – from which school have the Raiders drafted the most players in the last 18 drafts?”

Did you know the answer to that question? I was a little surprised to find out that it was Arizona State University with six Oakland Raiders hailing from the southwest school. ASU was followed by Florida State and Ohio state with five players, while there were four players each chosen from BYU, San Diego State and Washington.

Always wanting to know more, I decided to take a look at some of the players who came from those schools and if there was a distinct pattern of signing exceptional guys from those top six.

Two instantly came to mind. Running back Napoleon Kaufman was a member of the Washington Huskies who was signed in 1995, an 18th pick in the first round of the draft. In 1992, Kaufman became the fastest Husky to run the 40-yard dash at 4.22. As a member of the Raiders, he holds the number one rushing performance record. On October 19, 1997 against the Denver Broncos he rushed for 227 yards and carried the ball 28 times. Kaufman also scored a touchdown that day, becoming a key player in the team’s 28-25 victory over Denver.

Marques Tuiasosopo was a highly touted quarterback who came out of Washington, making his debut in 2001. While I held out hope for awhile for Tuiasosopo, he was overall a pretty big disappointment.

Kicker Sebastian Janikowski has been one of the most solid forces on the team for the past 12 seasons, setting a number of records in 2011. Janikowski comes from Florida State, making his debut in 2000 and he became the first kicker to be drafted in the first round since 1979. Many questioned Al Davis’ sanity that year, but looking back, it was one of the best decisions in recent years.

Eric Allen, Derek Hagan and Andrew Walter all came from ASU. Travis Goethel is a current member of the Silver and Black who is from Arizona State, making his debut in 2010.

Terrelle Pryor was a third round pick in the 2011 draft from Ohio State. It remains to be seen whether or not if he’ll become a solid backup quarterback to Carson Palmer. Cornerback Chimdi Chekwa also came out of Ohio State in the 2011 draft. Unfortunately his rookie year was marred with injuries and he was only on the field in four games.

An interesting player who came from San Diego State was Carl Weathers. While many know Weathers better as the actor who played Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” films, he had a brief career with the Raiders in the early ’70s.

Players from BYU include Marc Wilson, Eli Herring and Todd Watkins. Of those names, Wilson is the only memorable one, although certainly not one of the better quarterbacks the Raiders have ever had. Wilson was on the Oakland/L.A. Raiders from 1980 to 1987. Over his career he was credited with 86 touchdowns but he threw 102 interceptions.

What does it all mean? While the stats are interesting to contemplate, I don’t think that there is any clear pattern that emerges, but perhaps the new general manager Reggie McKenzie has a little more insight. All we know as fans, is that we’re ready for the Raiders to get back to where they should be, no matter what it takes to get there!

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan for her entire life. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett. Follow her on Twitter @kcdermody or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kcdermodywriter.

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As an Oakland Raiders fan, I have mixed feelings about the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I respect the institution, but have a lot of issues about how many great Oakland Raiders have yet to be “enshrined.” Raider legends like Jim Plunkett, Ken Stabler and Cliff Branch continue to be overlooked, while lesser players get in. Here’s a look at five Oakland Raiders greats who are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

Fred Biletnikoff

Fred Biletnikoff played for the Silver and Black from draft through retirement, clocking in 14 years. Biletnikoff caught 589 passes for 8,974 yards and scored 76 touchdowns. At the time of his retirement, he led the league with the record of catching 40 or more passes in 10 consecutive seasons. He also had 70 receptions, 1,167 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns in 10 post-season games for another NFL career-record. He was an All-AFL pick in 1969 and was an NFL All-Pro in 1972 and All-AFC in 1970, 1972 and 1973. He also played in two AFL All-Star games and four AFC-NFC Pro Bowl games, along with three AFL and five AFC championship games. As the MVP of Super Bowl XI, Biletnikoff helped the Raiders beat the Vikings 32-14. He also helped the team to an amazing 16-1 season in 1976, truly one of the Raiders’ greatest seasons ever.

George Blanda

Blanda played for the Raiders at the end of his career, after seven seasons with the Houston Oilers, who thought he was done. He proved everyone wrong and played nine great seasons with the Silver and Black as a back-up QB and kicker. His NFL career started way back in 1949 but Blanda really had a great season in 1970. Over a five-game stretch, Blanda helped the Raiders win four games and tied one more with either passing or kicking or both. He was the AFC Player of the Year in 1970, at age 43. Raiders’ owner Al Davis said of Blanda’s 1970 season: “George Blanda inspired a whole nation in 1970. I really believe he is the greatest clutch player in the history of this game.”

Jim Otto

Center Jim Otto really anchored the offensive line of the Raiders for the entire 15 years he played with the team. He played in 308 games, including six AFL title games, Super Bowl II and 12 All-Star games. He played for the Oakland Raiders from 1960-1974 and is a great member of the Raider Nation. He’s one of the original Oakland Raider players who started in 1960, the very first year the team was in existence.

John Madden

I really do think Madden is the greatest football coach ever, and is still the heart and soul of the Oakland Raiders. Madden actually started as a player, he was drafted in the 21st round of the 1958 NFL Draft by the Eagles but injured himself in his rookie season and never played again. He coached for several college teams before joining the Raiders in 1967 as the linebackers coach. Madden finished with an overall record of 103 wins, 32 loses and 7 ties. Under his leadership, the team won seven Western Division titles, including the incredible five-in-a-row run from 1972-1976 and the win in Super Bowl XI in early 1977. In the 1976 and 1977 seasons, the Raiders won 17 games in a row, one short of the record at the time and they went 13-1 in 1976, one of the team’s greatest seasons ever.

Willie Brown

Inducted as part of the Class of 1984, cornerback Willie Brown came to the Raiders from the Denver Broncos in 1967 and played until 1978 with Oakland. He played in nine AFL/AFC title games and two Super Bowls. In Super Bowl XI he had an amazing 75-yard interception and touchdown to help clinch the game.

Although born and raised with Eagles fans in Philadelphia, Freddy Sherman has always been a citizen of Raider Nation at heart. Since his dad got him a signed George Blanda football as child, to meeting Lyle Alzado in the 1980s, he hasn’t looked back. Follow him on twitter @thefredsherman

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Many of the Oakland Raiders’ players returned to the Alameda facility on Monday, April 2, for the team’s 2012 offseason program. Quarterback Carson Palmer said over the weekend that he couldn’t wait for the day to get here so he could finally get his playbook and get back to work. There were a number of players who were feeling the same way, and many seem especially excited about the changes that have been taking place over the last few months, as well as the team’s future.

One of those players is the most recent to be added to the roster, former Indianapolis Colts’ linebacker Philip Wheeler. Wheeler was asked by NFL writer Jerry McDonald why he decided to sign with Oakland, and the 27-year-old mentioned several factors. First, he said it was a better fit because of the type of defense and scheme that’s run in Oakland, as well as the Raiders’ coaches.

Oakland’s new defensive coordinator Jason Tarver, who spent nearly a decade with the San Francisco 49ers, told Wheeler that there would be “a lot of blitzing, not just standing still,” like he did with the Colts. He seemed to be impressed with Tarver, but that wasn’t the only thing that convinced Wheeler to wear the Silver and Black.

The biggest factor seemed to be the fans. Many fans throughout the Raider Nation sent supportive messages through Twitter and Wheeler remarked, “It was cool man, because that kind of helped me in my decision because it showed me how big of a football city this is and how much they paid attention to football instead of going somewhere else. Indianapolis, it was pretty good football city, but the fans, they didn’t’ get more involved in media, and just showing us how much they care about the game. I always wanted to play in a big football for a legendary team, something like that and that kind of helped me choose Oakland.”

You’ve got to like that about the guy. I’m excited to have him on our side and he could also be a big help when it comes time to face the Denver Broncos. In regard to his former teammate Peyton Manning, Wheeler said, “I feel like I’m better just from going up against him in practice every day and I’ll be prepared to face any quarterback like that. I think I can help the team do that.”

Offensive Lineman Stefen Wisniewski was another one of the players in Alameda today. He said with all of the new coaches it is different, but “knowing players and knowing what it’s like to play an NFL season is giving us a lot more confidence coming back.”

Wisniewski added, “The offseason was nice, but it’s about time to be back to work. Three months is a good break and much needed after a long season, but it’s time to go to work now. We want to win. We want to win the AFC West, make the playoffs and win the Super Bowl. We have the talent to do it and this is the first step here — getting the talent to work together to reach those goals.”

It’ll be even better when fans finally get to see the Silver and Black back on the field, fired up and ready to go, and especially defeating the Denver Broncos. In Oakland, and in the Mile High City.

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan for her entire life. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett. Follow her on Twitter @kcdermody or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kcdermodywriter.

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While Monday brought the shocking news of Peyton Manning‘s entry into the AFC West division with the Denver Broncos, it also found the Oakland Raiders‘ making some much needed additions to their defense. If Manning returns to the game as his old Super Bowl champion self, the Raiders will need to make huge improvements on the defense if they want to come out on top in the battle against their dreaded rival.

Obviously, this is something that needed to be done regardless of Manning heading to Denver, and general manager Reggie McKenzie is putting a few of the building blocks in place in order to do just that.

While the Raiders lost running back Rock Cartwright to the team across the bay, they’ve signed cornerback Shawtae Spencer, an eight-year veteran with the San Francisco 49ers. Spencer was riddled with injuries in 2011, playing just nine games for San Francisco, but in his first seven years with the team he started in 72, playing in every game in 2009 and 2010.

Spencer worked with the Raiders new defensive coordinator, Jason Tarver, who was a defensive assistant for most of Spencer’s tenure with the team. Over the past eight years Spencer played in 98 games with 72 starts, totaling 11 interceptions, 2.5 sacks and 53 passes defensed.

We’ll have to hope that Spencer is another play who comes into his own wearing the silver and black, if he stays healthy I believe he’ll be a solid addition to Oakland.

The Raiders are also said to be meeting with f ree agent cornerback Tracy Porter. Porter has spent the past three seasons with the New Orleans Saints, working with the Raiders’ new head coach, Dennis Allen during two of them. Porter would be a good man to have in Oakland, and is possibly the best cornerback in the NFL that the Raiders can afford. During Super Bowl XLIV, it was Porter who intercepted Manning’s pass and returned the pick 74 yards for a touchdown, sealing the Saints’ win.

Just last week the Raiders released guard Cooper Carlisle and defensive tackle John Henderson, clearing $7 million in salary off the Raiders’ 2012 books. On Monday, McKenzie decided to bring Carlisle back at a cheaper price, which could mean the recently signed Mike Brisiel goes to left guard while Stefen Wisniewski moves to center.

McKenzie is making some good moves, and I continue to have faith that the Silver and Black will be able to take on and defeat Denver, and come out on top of the AFC West in 2012, even with Manning in the picture.

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan for her entire life. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett. Follow her on Twitter @kcdermody or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kcdermodywriter.

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While hundreds of the best college football players are undergoing intense scrutiny at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week, one of the Oakland Raiders best running backs in history, Napoleon Kaufman took the time to update the Raider Nation on his current life and career.

Bay Bridge, Oakland
Wikimedia Commons

I first discovered Kaufman while attending at game at Husky Stadium in Seattle where he played for the Washington Huskies. I happened to be at the game between the Huskies and San Jose State Spartans in 1994 when he ran down the field for an amazing 91-yard touchdown to help take his team to victory.

I was ecstatic when Kaufman was signed by the Raiders; he’s been one of my favorites ever since. I was fortunate to work with a woman whose sister was married to Derek Fenner during that same time period in the mid ’90s, and was able to meet Kaufman, and even go to dinner with a group that included several players who were a part of the 1995 team. Kaufman is not only exceptional on the field, but as a person.

Most fans know that the former running back retired early to become a pastor, and he is still “spreading the word” today. Kaufman’s congregation is based in Dublin, California, a small suburb in the East Bay region.

Kaufman told Raiders.com that he does miss the competition and the camaraderie with the guys, but he loves that Bay Area fans still recognize him and miss him out on the field. He visits the Seattle area frequently as his wife is from the area and is still recognized in Washington state too. Of course he is, Kaufman was one of the greatest in his short time wearing the Silver and Black. Many of us would have liked to seen him play a lot longer, but you have to admire him for his decision.

Kaufman was listed as number one in Raiders’ top rushing performances, with his effort on October 19, 1997 in a game against the dreaded rival Denver Broncos . He rushed for 227 yards and carried the ball 28 times in addition to scoring a touchdown, helping Oakland capture the 28-25 victory over Denver.

From the moment he stepped onto the field at Husky Stadium as a college player, he had a positive impact in the game. In 1992, he became the fastest Husky when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.22. Kaufman truly exemplified the commitment to excellence wearing the Silver and Black, and today, he’s doing great things to improve people’s lives.

Kaufman is one of many players who make me feel extremely proud to be a Raider fan.

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan for her entire life. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett. Follow her on Twitter @kcdermody or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kcdermodywriter.

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Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

We almost did it. The Oakland Raiders went into their final game of the season with the chance to win and move on to the playoffs, for the first time since 2002. The Silver and Black came into the January 1st game against the San Diego Chargers with their own destiny in their hands. At home, no less. But they failed in their mission and lost the game 38-26 and also lost their hopes of post-season play. Their loss, along with the other wins and losses on the last day of the regular season (and the first day of the new year), clarified the NFL playoff picture as to who’s in and who’s out.

An NFL football.
Wikimedia Commons

The Raiders’ loss was a boon to the Denver Broncos, who lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 7-3, but still won the division. The Broncos will now host Pittsburgh in the first round of the playoffs. With their loss, the Broncos created the opportunity for the Raiders to clinch the AFC West with their win, but the Raiders could not capitalize on the opportunity and the slot goes to Denver.

The NFL playoff picture includes returning and expected teams like the Green Bay Packers, the New England Patriots, the Baltimore Ravens, the New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers and the Atlanta Falcons. I’m excited because there are also unexpected teams like the San Francisco 49ers, the Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos and, for the very first time, the Houston Texans. The New York Giants will be there too, after an amazing game that saw them beat the Dallas Cowboys on the strong performance of QB Eli Manning.

Another amazing performance on that last Sunday of the regular season was turned in by Green Bay’s QB. And it was not starter Aaron Rodgers, who was resting in anticipation of the playoffs, it was backup QB Matt Flynn. Flynn broke Packers’ teams records going for 480 yards passing for six touchdowns.

The first of January gave three losses to the four AFC playoff teams. The Bengals, Texans and Broncos all lost, only the Steelers won their last game. The playoffs will start off with Cincinnati against Houston early on Saturday, January 7, followed by Detroit at New Orleans. Sunday will bring the Giants against Atlanta. And while all that is going on, Raiders fans like me will be looking towards the 2012 season.

Although born and raised with Eagles fans in Philadelphia, Freddy Sherman has always been a citizen of Raider Nation at heart. Since his dad got him a signed George Blanda football as child, to meeting Lyle Alzado in the 1980s, he hasn’t looked back. Follow him on twitter @thefredsherman

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Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

Read More: Carson Palmer (QB – OAK), Antonio Gates (TE – SDC), Philip Rivers (QB – SDC), Sebastian Janikowski (K – OAK), Mike Tolbert (FB – SDC), Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR – OAK), Louis Murphy (WR – OAK), Richard Goodman (WR – SDC), Curtis Brinkley (RB – SDC), San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders had a great shot to get to the playoffs if they could get some help from the Kansas City Chargers. They’re getting that help, but they’re hardly helping themselves. After Oakland punted the football, Philip Rivers went right back to work, connected with Antonio Gates for 37 yards and Malcolm Floyd for 16 yards. Nice rushes by Curtis Brinkley helped set up a Mike Tolbert one yard touchdown rush to put San Diego up 14-7.

Oakland drove right back down the field with Carson Palmer connected with Louis Murphy and Darrius Heyward-Bey to help set up a Sebastian Janikowski 52 yard field goal, but San Diego came right back with a Richard Goodman 105 yard kickoff return to put them up 21-10. The teams traded field goals to end the first half thanks to solid passing by both Palmer and Rivers, and another quick Oakland drive with a huge Palmer pass to start the second half helped put more points on the board thanks to Janikowski.

The Raiders would win the AFC West if they win and the Denver Broncos lose–which they are currently doing to the Kansas City Chiefs.

To discuss the game with Raiders fans, go to Silver and Black Pride. To check out the game with Chargers fans, head to Bolts from the Blue.

The count down to the all-important game between the Oakland Raiders and the San Diego Chargers is here.Today is the day that Raider fans will find out if the Silver and Black advance to the postseason and get their first opportunity in the playoffs since 2002.

Denarius Moore
Wikimedia Commons

The ball that will drop this afternoon in Oakland is a lot more important than the one that dropped at midnight last night, and the one that everyone in Raider Nation has been patiently, or rather impatiently, waiting for.

When the Raiders’ late owner, Al Davis, told head coach Hue Jackson, “We will win it in the end,” just before he passed away on October 8, 2011, was it a prophecy for this season, or an eventual outcome farther down the road? Or did it not really mean anything at all?

I have to believe, as Jackson does, that Davis was right about this one. Whether or not it comes true in the 2011 season remains to be seen, but I think that the Raiders’ faith in victory will have an important affect on the ultimate outcome.

Safety Tyvon Branch remarked after the game on Christmas Eve, “I don’t know what it is about us. We just seem to find a way to make it interesting. We overcame a lot. We all stuck together. We all kept believing.”

Oakland has defeated San Diego in their last three battles, if, and when, the Raiders win today it will be a two-year sweep. After their wild and crazy victory against the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime, the team got their momentum and confidence back, and that may have been the missing ingredient during much of the month of December. They’ve got that fire going once again, and the time is now to show everyone what they’ve got.

Quarterback Carson Palmer has got two of his best offensive weapons back on the field in Oakland today, receivers Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford. Running back Michael Bush may have slowed down a little over the last month, but he could be saving the best for last. How about a repeat performance of his outstanding efforts in San Diego on November 10? Bush had 30 carries for 157 yards and scored a touchdown.

The Chargers don’t have anything to gain by a win in Oakland, except possibly a little respect. Is it worth potentially injuring some of their best players and decreasing their chances for a healthy team next year?

There are so many reasons to believe the Raiders will win today, and a victory in front of the sold-out crowd at O.co Coliseum would be the best way to start out the New Year for everyone in the Raider Nation. After finding out that it was the team’s eighth consecutive sell out this season, Jackson said, ” My hat goes out to our fans for supporting us. What we have to do is give back to them as I’ve always said. And how we give back is by winning.”

That time is now. Just win baby!

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett . Follow her at www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter, Twitter @kcdermody, or www.kcdermodywriter.com.

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The injury report for the Oakland Raiders heading into the all important game against the San Diego Chargers may be the shortest list we’ve seen all year. That’s especially good news for the Silver and Black who have their postseason on the line with this final game of the regular season.

Jacoby Ford, Oakland Raiders
Wikimedia Commons

There are just three players who are definitely out, and that’s quarterback Jason Campbell, who wasn’t really expected to return after suffering a broken collar bone in week six, running back Darren McFadden, whose chances were already slim to none, and defensive tackle, Big John, John Henderson, out with a knee injury.

The players who are listed as questionable, are likely to see at least some time on the field, and receiver Jacoby Ford and safety Michael Huff have already been pretty adamant about getting in the game.

Ford commented, “It was definitely a positive week for me so I feel good going into the game. If I practiced this much this week and I’m not out there, I’d be mad.”

He could become a big factor in a victory for the Raiders. Ford and Palmer displayed a great rhythm together. In Palmer’s second outing with the team as they faced the Denver Broncos in Oakland, Ford made an incredible catch in the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown. Just days later in San Diego, he somehow grabbed a 41-yarder, making it look easy.

Huff is the player who saved the game for the Raiders against the Texans when he interception Houston’s Matt Schaub in the end zone. A healthy Huff will bring much needed improvement to Oakland’s defense.

Running back Taiwan Jones is a little more questionable. He’s been battling a hamstring injury, but it’s likely he’ll see time on the field as well. Michael Bush, once again, will be given the opportunity to show what he’s made of.

The Chargers’ wide receiver Vincent Jackson was reportedly not likely to be in the game due to a groin injury, but it looks like that has changed, and he’s now listed as probable. Jackson is one of the Chargers star players, but against the Raiders he caught just one pass for 22 yards. In their recent game against Detroit he had just two catches for 41 yards. He may be trying to play through pain, and I don’t think he’ll be a big concern for the Raiders on Sunday. San Diego’s running back Ryan Mathews is still questionable, with running back Mike Tolbert as probable.

Just one day before we find out the fate of the Silver and Black, things continue to look brighter. As always, whoever is on, or off, the field, Just win baby!

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett . Follow her at www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter, Twitter @kcdermody, or www.kcdermodywriter.com.

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The Oakland Raiders’ running back Michael Bush has done an exceptional job filling in for star running back Darren McFadden, who’s been out with a foot injury since he left in week seven in the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Michael Bush, Raiders
Wikimedia Commons

It’s been Bush’s opportunity to shine as a starter, and he’s taking full advantage. This coming Sunday, Bush is being called on once again to steal the show against the San Diego Chargers, and he needs just 89 yards to surpass the 1,000 yard mark for the first time in his career.

Bush was signed by the Raiders as the first pick in the fourth round of the draft in 2007, but he’d been hobbled by a broken leg in college with the University of Louisville, and wasn’t able to get on the NFL field until 2008. In 2010, he rushed for 655 yards in 14 games and had eight touchdowns. Since filling in for McFadden this year, he’s got a total of 911 yards and seven touchdowns.

In Bush’s last game against San Diego, just after he came in for McFadden, he ran down the field 55 yards to set up a Raiders touchdown and by the end of the night, Bush was credited with a touchdown and 157 yards. In 2010, Bush played a significant part in the victory over the Chargers in the game at O.co Coliseum. In that match up, he had 26 carries for 104 yards and a touchdown.

Bush is in a very good position in the NFL right now, and he could make it even better on New Year’s Day. He’s coming to the end of a one-year, $2.6 million contract. After this season he’s a free agent, and playing so impressively, he’ll have a lot of teams taking a good look at this great running back. There is nothing like being a part of the Silver and Black, however, and he says he likes the weather in Oakland, so we’ll see what happens at the end of the year. Much of his decision could be riding on Sunday’s game, and the team’s continuation into the playoffs.

There are so many things riding on the New Year’s Day game, it’s hard to think of anything else. Just believe. Just win baby!

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett . Follow her at www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter, Twitter @kcdermody, or www.kcdermodywriter.com.

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With just two days before the Oakland Raiders determine their fate in the playoffs, it’s hard for many fans to think of anything else. New Year’s Eve bash, who cares? We just want New Year’s Day to arrive so that we can (hopefully) watch the Raiders defeat the San Diego Chargers and ultimately take the AFC West title when the Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback, Kyle Orton, exacts his revenge on the Denver Broncos.

Sebastian Janikowski
Wikimedia Commons

In light of that fact, I thought it was time we looked at some of the significant moments and facts in the history between the Chargers and the Raiders.

The Raiders lead the series record over the Chargers, 58-44-2. Oakland has won their three most recent battles, but had lost the previous 13. Could they be on their way to a longer winning streak?

In their last match up on November 10, the Raiders defeated the Chargers by a score of 24-17. Several players had stand out performances on that Thursday evening, including the rookie receiver Denarius Moore. Moore somehow held on to a long pass by quarterback Carson Palmer for a 46-yard catch, and it was just one of five catches and two touchdowns by the end of the game. Linebacker Kamerion Wimbley was on fire, and had four of six sacks on the San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers.

Running back Michael Bush ran down the field 55 yards to set up a Raiders touchdown and by the end of the game he’d been credited with a touchdown and had a total of 30 carries for 157 yards. Bush needs just 89 rushing yards this Sunday to surpass 1,000 for the first time in his career.

On October 10, 2010, the Chargers met the Raiders at home, and Oakland went on to defeat the team by a score of 35-27. In that match up, Bush had 26 carries for 104 yards and a touchdown. The second time they met up last season was in December at Qualcomm Stadium. Running back Darren McFadden had 19 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown and Bush had 23 carries for 95 yards and a touchdown. Receiver Jacoby Ford scored a touchdown as well, and by the end of the game, the Raiders defeated the Chargers by a score of 28-13.

Punter Shane Lechler, arguably one of the best in the history of the NFL, remarked about the upcoming game, “I think everybody in the locker room wants to win and wants to win now. My situation is hopefully to get to see this thing go full circle. I had it great when I first got here with the AFC championship game my rookie year and then the snow game up in New England and then the Super Bowl, and then not much after that. To see it come all the way back full circle, last year 8-8, just to see it go full circle would be good.”

I agree. Sebastian Janikowski is in the same situation as Lechler, with both players starting in 2000. Finally getting into the postseason after all this time would be a welcome change, and very well deserved.

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett . Follow her at www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter, Twitter @kcdermody, or www.kcdermodywriter.com.

More from this contributor:

Five Reasons the Oakland Raiders Will Defeat the San Diego Chargers: Fan’s Take

Oakland Raiders Win, Denver Broncos Loss May Be in the Cards: Fan’s Look

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Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

Oakland Raiders’ fans everywhere are patiently, or impatiently, waiting for New Year’s Day to arrive. Forget the big New Year’s Eve bash, we just want to watch the Silver and Black defeat the San Diego Chargers, while the Kansas City Chiefs blow out the crumbling Denver Broncos on January 1, 2012.

One Nation. Home of the Oakland Raiders, the Oakland Coliseum
Creative Commons

There are still three more days before we find out how this will play out, and the closer we get the stronger my belief becomes that we’ll get our wish.

First, let’s look at the scenario in Denver. Even though Kansas City isn’t playing for a playoff berth, they have strong reasons for wanting a victory at Sports Authority Field. The Chiefs’ quarterback Kyle Orton is returning to play against the team that dumped him for Tebow, and that’s has to sting more than a little.

Orton is out to prove that Denver made a big mistake in thinking that Tebow was their savior. The Broncos were lucky in more than a few of their wins with the young quarterback at the helm, but he’s started to crumble quickly. Denver was stomped in their last two losses, 40-14 by the Buffalo Bills and 41-23 by the New England Patriots. On top of that, their players have really taken a beating, and they’re dealing with a lot of injuries.

The Chiefs’ interim coach, Romeo Crennel, needs the win to save his job, and even Orton may not keep his in 2012 if the team doesn’t do well in Denver. That’s quite a bit of motivation. Is it enough for Kansas City to get the victory? I believe it is.

The biggest concern for the Raiders, of course, is their game against the Chargers. While the team has been inconsistent this year to say the least, they’ve were able to beat San Diego on the road, and won both of their games against the Chargers in 2010.

The Silver and Black will be on fire for this one. The players showed they have heart in the game on Christmas Eve, and they were also extremely resilient. Quarterback Carson Palmer does well against San Diego, and potentially having two exceptional receivers on the field in Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford, could turn this game into a high scoring offensive show for the Raiders.

Palmer commented on Wednesday, “So this is a big moment for this team and our fans and the fact that we get to play at home is obviously a huge advantage any time we get to play in front of our fans in that stadium because they can be so loud. So it’s exciting, this whole team’s excited.”

After so many years without the hope of even being in the playoffs, the Silver and Black have given us an exciting 2011, and the team could take their season farther than we even thought was possible. Just believe.

K.C. Dermody grew up in the Bay Area of California, and has been an Oakland Raiders fan from the time she could walk. She has continued her loyalty to the team through its many ups and downs over the decades, and has been privileged to meet several of her favorite players, including famed quarterback, Jim Plunkett . Follow her at www.facebook.com/KCDermodyWriter or on Twitter @kcdermody.

More from this contributor:

Oakland Raiders’ Jacoby Ford Back at Practice: Who Will Return to Face the Chargers? Fan’s Look

Three Oakland Raiders Selected to the Pro Bowl: Fan reaction

Oakland Raiders’ Janikowski Nominated for Never Say Never Moment: Fan’s Look

Oakland Raiders Give Fans the Best Christmas Present: A Defeat of the Kansas City Chiefs – Fan’s Take

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.