While it could be awhile before we know what the entire Oakland Raiders’ team will look like going into the 2012 season, we already have a good idea as to who is the most likely to have a positive impact in regard to wins and losses when they take to the field in another five plus months. Here is a look at the top ten of the most talented players who wear silver and black.

Carson Palmer

2012 will be the year for starting quarterback Carson Palmer to show us what he’s made of. After a shaky start in 2011 with virtually no time getting to know the players or the Raiders’ scheme, he came alive against the San Diego Chargers in their home territory, throwing two touchdowns in the November game, and we began to get a glimpse of the real Palmer.

Palmer is excited about the talent he has to work with on the field next season, and both former great quarterback Jim Plunkett and Rich Gannon, arguably the best quarterback since Plunkett, have made comments indicating their faith in him as well.

Denarius Moore

Wide receiver Denarius Moore will be heading into his sophomore season, and one of the reasons Palmer is excited is because of this exceptional player. There is no doubt that Moore takes being a Raider very seriously, giving everything he’s got to the game. By the end of 2011, he was nominated three times and won twice as the Pespi NFL Rookie of the Week.

In 2012, I believe Moore will not only end up going to the Pro Bowl, he’ll be one of the biggest factors in getting the Raiders into the postseason.

David Ausberry

We didn’t hear much about David Ausberry in 2011, but with Kevin Boss released just last week, 2012 is going to be the time for Ausberry to shine, and I believe he’ll live up to those expectations.

Jacoby Ford

Wide receiver Jacoby Ford is heading into his third season with Oakland. As a rookie in 2010 he was a big part of several Raiders’ victories, and although he spent too much of 2011 suffering from a foot injury, he had a major impact in several battles last season as well.

Ford was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in the game against the Cleveland Browns in which he had a 101-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and caught a total of three passes on 43 yards, showing off his lightening fast speed. If he stays healthy next season he’ll be another great offensive weapon for Palmer.

Darrius Heyward-Bey

Darrius Heyward-Bey came into his own last season, becoming a solid and reliable receiver. He had more than a few incredible catches and was responsible for the 53-yarder that set up the game winning field goal in overtime against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Eve.

Darren McFadden

Most of us are aware that when running back Darren McFadden is on the field, and healthy, he is unstoppable. We have to hope that he’ll be a part of every game in 2012 – if he is, we can expect to see great things next season.

Tyvon Branch

We need stand-out players on defense, and safety Tyvon Branch is certainly one of those who will have an impact on an improved defense next year. He was given the franchise tag recently, and led the Raiders in tackles for the second straight season, topping the 100-tackle mark for the third straight year.

Ron Bartell

Watch for the recently signed cornerback Ron Bartell to come alive as a Raider. The 30-year-old is said to be highly underrated, and as long as is back at 100% after suffering a neck injury in 2011 he’s going to take advantage of the opportunity he’s been given to play in Oakland.

Sebastian Janikowski and Shane Lechler

As they have nearly every season, both kicker Sebastian Janikowski and punter Shane Lechler, will likely come through once again. When the team heads to the Mile-High City, they’ll be the ones to watch, as they just might beat some of their own historic records in Denver. I’m really looking forward to that one. Is it football season yet?!

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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With the Oakland Raiders 2012 season still almost six months off, fans have a lot of time to plan a vacation or a short trip to attend one of their away games. While we don’t have the specific schedule yet, it’s never too early to decide which is the best to head out to.

Oakland Raiders fan.
Broken SphereWikimedia Commons

The Raiders will face their AFC West rivals, the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers, of course. In addition, they battle Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers.

Denver Broncos

Some of my favorite battles have been between the Raiders and the Broncos, and having lived in the Denver area for almost a decade I’ve attended a lot of games at Sports Authority Field. While you might have to endure a little harassment, it’s well worth going. The view from the stadium at a mile high is pretty amazing too.

At the season opener last year, the Silver and Black defeated the Broncos, 23-20, and Sebastian Janikowski kicked a record-tying 63-yard field goal. In 2012, he could just break that record here. Plus, with the new head coach Dennis Allen coming from Denver, I really think this is going to be one of the best to watch. I can’t wait to see the Raiders defeat Tim Tebow.

Kansas City Chiefs

While the scenery surrounding Arrowhead Stadium may not be as picturesque as Colorado, the game on the field should provide enough drama to make up for it. I’m looking forward to watching Stanford Routt get penalized on the flip side.

San Diego Chargers

With San Diego a doable, but long, day’s drive, this will be another good one for fans to attend. The Raiders played a great game here in 2011, defeating the Chargers 24-17. One of the San Diego fans was so upset about the loss he drank too much on woke up on a stranger’s couch . The 81-year-old woman got the fright of her life, and the sulking fan went to jail.

Cincinnati Bengals

While Cincinnati, Ohio is a little harder to get too, this would be a good one to attend if you can. With our former head coach Hue Jackson on the side of the Bengals, I’m interested to see how this one will go. Not to mention the fact that Raiders’ quarterback Carson Palmer led the team here for almost a decade.

Miami Dolphins

Last year’s game in Miami, Florida was a blowout for the wrong team, with the Raiders losing 34-14 to the Dolphins. I don’t think that will happen in 2012, and this one is also a great excuse to enjoy sunny Florida, and maybe even plan a little vacation in The Keys, just an hour south of Miami.

Baltimore Ravens

The Raiders haven’t had a lot of success against the Ravens , the record in the series between the teams is at 6-1 with Baltimore leading. I keep hoping that will change. If enough fans wearing the Silver and Black fill the stands will it make the difference?

Atlanta Falcons

Oakland leads the series against Atlanta , 7-5, but when the Raiders faced them the last time in 2008, they were shut out 24-0. That was 2008, however, with quarterback JaMarcus Russell leading the team. While I probably won’t be heading out to this one, I’d be willing to bet that we won’t be shut out in 2012, and will hopefully get the victory this time.

Carolina Panthers

The Raiders and Panthers have met just four times, with the series tied at 2-2. They last time they played was in 2008, and Oakland was defeated 17-6. While I haven’t been to Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte , North Carolina, this might also be a good one to attend and watch the Raiders take the lead in the series.

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 the NFL Combine shows us the best, brightest and quickest future talent, it’s also time to look to the future of the Oakland Raiders and their 2012 away schedule. There aren’t too many surprises in the line-up, but there are two games that really excite me, against the Carolina Panthers and against the Atlanta Falcons. Both are teams the Raiders haven’t played in their own home stadiums since 2004.

Oakland Raiders in pre-game prayer
wikimedia commons

Here’s a review of the 2012 away game schedule for the Oakland Raiders:

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are beating the Raiders in this series, 5-1, since their first meeting in 1996. The Ravens won the last game in Baltimore, 29-10 in 2008.

Miami Dolphins

The Raiders haven’t won in Miami since 2007, when they beat the Dolphins 35-17. The Raiders are leading this series 16-12-1, since the teams first played against each other in 1966.

Cincinnati Bengals

Given Carson Palmer’s history with the Bengals, this is sure to be a great game to watch. The Raiders are ahead in this series 18-8, since the teams first played in 1968. The Bengals came out on top the last time they played in Cincinnati, 27-10, in 2006.

Atlanta Falcons

The Raiders are ahead in this series as well, 7-5, the Falcons last won the game in Atlanta, 35-10, in 2004. The teams first played against each other in 1971.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers Raiders series is tied 2-2, with the Raiders coming out on top the last time they played in North Carolina, 27-24, in 2004. The teams first met in 1997.

Denver Broncos

The Raiders beat the Broncos at their last match up in Denver, 23-20 and have actually won four in a row there. We will have to see how Tim Tebow is doing that day, but after his late-season stumbles, I don’t think he will be the huge superstar everyone hyped him up to be.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Raiders are on a roll in Kansas City, having won five in a row. The teams first played in 1960 and the Raiders won 16-13 in OT at their last game there.

San Diego Chargers

The Raiders played the Chargers in San Diego only once, in 1980 during the playoffs, with the Raiders winning the AFC Championship by beating them. In 2011 the Silver and Black headed south and beat the Chargers 24-17. With my girlfriend being a Chargers fan, this is always a very tense day in our house.

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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With the 2012 NFL Combine in motion, it’s time for the Raider Nation to start thinking about the 2012 season and the opposing teams who will be visiting the Silver and Black in the O.co Coliseum over the course of the season. Here’s a review of the Raider’s 2012 home opponents:

Surface of an American football ball.
Wikimedia Commons

Pittsburgh Steelers

Since the Steelers and Raiders met for the first time in 1970, the Raiders are on top in this series, 10-9. They last played in 2006, where the Raiders won 20-13.

Jacksonville Jaguars

After their first meeting in 1996, the Jags are leading the Raiders 4-1 in their matchups. The teams last played in 2004, which the Raiders lost 13-6.

Cleveland Browns

After their first meeting in 1970, the Raiders are leading the series 11-8 and when the teams played in 2011, Oakland won, 24-17

New Orleans Saints

Since the teams first played in 1971, the Raiders and Saints are even, with a series record of 5-5-1. The Saints came out on top last time, 31-26 in 2004.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay has struggled to win games and the Raiders lead this series 6-1. The teams first played in 1976 and the Raiders won the last game 30-20 in 2004

Denver Broncos

The Raiders lead this series overall 59-42-2 and the teams have been competing against each other for a long time, since 1960. The most recent meeting still stings for Raider fans as the Broncos beat them 38-24 in 2011.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs are another long-time rival and they lead the series against the Raiders, 53-48-2. The teams first played against each other in 1960 (when the Chiefs were the Dallas Texans) and the Chiefs shut out the Raiders 28-0 the last time they met.

San Diego Chargers

The Chargers ended the Raiders season in 2011 with a disappointing loss, 38-26 and the teams have been played each other since 1960. The Raiders are on top in this series, 57-45-2.

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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The Oakland Raiders’ late owner, Al Davis, was well-known for his love of speedy players, and it’s not surprising that many of the fastest players in the history of the NFL Combine went on to wear the Silver and Black. Here is a look at some of the Raiders’ greatest running backs and their performances at the Combine. Who was the best ever?

Darren McFadden
Wikimedia Commons

Bo Jackson

Bo knows a lot of things, and one of those is how to run like lightening. Bo Jackson holds the record for the fastest 40-yard dash at the Combine, ever. The player who many call one of the best athletes of all-time reportedly ran a 4.12. Although some questioned the validity of that time, a 4.18 ran the same week made believers out of the biggest skeptics.

If a hip injury hadn’t taken Jackson out of the game after just four seasons, he would have undoubtedly gone on to break numerous NFL records that might not have been touched for years, if ever. Unfortunately, we can only say, “What if?”

Darren McFadden

Darren McFadden has been a stand-out player, at least when he’s at 100%. We hope that 2012 will be the year the great running back is able to participate in each game, or at least a majority of them. He was sorely missed after leaving in week seven against the Kansas City Chiefs, never to return. McFadden became the first running back to reach 1000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards since the awesome Marcus Allen in 1986.

At the Combine, McFadden ran a 4.33 40-yard dash, the second best time in the last decade. Chris Johnson of the Tennesse Titans holds the record at 4.24, set in 2008.

Napoleon Kaufman

Napoloeon Kaufman was also one of the speediest players ever out on the football field. In 1992, as a college player for the Washington Huskies, he ran a 4.22 40-yard dash. At the Combine he ran a 4.31. Kaufman went on to become one of the Raiders’ greatest rushers, setting a record of 227 yards in a single game against the Denver Broncos in October 1997. The previous record of 221 yards was held by Bo Jackson. Kaufman still holds the record today.

Who will be next to surpass the records of the some of the greatest to ever wear the Silver and Black?

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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At yesterday’s media conference with the Oakland Raiders’ Dennis Allen, the new head coach stated that the NFL Scouting Combine is just as important as ever, despite their lack of picks in the upcoming draft. Allen remarked, “I told the coaching staff the most important thing we can be doing right now is picking players, and making sure we’ve got the right guys on our team. The offensive scheme, the defensive scheme, that’s going to take care of itself.”

Jacoby Ford.
Wikimedia Commons

The Raiders have two picks in the fifth and sixth rounds of the draft, and will also receive compensatory picks due to a loss of a few of their free agents last year.

Oakland’s late owner Al Davis, was known for choosing the players specifically for their speed but both Allen and general manager Reggie McKenzie said that the 40-yard dash speed will only be a consideration between “two guys who are about the same football playing-wise.” Allen also said, “we’re not going to take guys just because they are real fast because that doesn’t correlate to being a good football player.”

Taking a look back at three current receivers on the team, how did they do at the Combine and beyond?

Receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey recorded the best time at the Combine in 2009, at 4.3 in the 40. He reportedly was timed at 4.23 during 2006 preseason drills. There were many who questioned the Raiders decision in snagging Heyward-Bey over players like Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin, and in his first two years in the NFL, it looked like he was on his way to becoming a big disappointment. But by the end of 2011, he recorded 64 receptions for 975 yards and four touchdowns, becoming the most improved player on the team. So much for the skeptics, and even fans of rival teams who continue to criticize the move based on his first two seasons and not his third.

At the 2010 Combine, Jacoby Ford ran a 4.28 in the 40-yard dash, and recorded a 6.52 in the 60-meter dash. During his rookie year with the team, Ford brought the Raiders to victory against Kansas City with two miracle catches in the final minutes of the November 2010 game. In 2011, he had an outstanding run in the game against the Cleveland Browns, and was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after his great efforts including the incredible 101-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

The expert analysis of Ford at the Combine said he lacked the ” prototypical size,” and it stated: “r eturn potential is there, but return skills could use some refinement. Despite his track speed, open field running could improve.”

In the 2011 Combine, Denarius Moore ran a 4.45 in the 40-yard-dash, the analysis of the receiver listed several weaknesses, stating that Moore “d oes not possess adequate explosion and quickness,” and “t akes too long to reach top speed and will struggle to gain separation on underneath patterns.”

Moore became one of the best deals of 2011, and was named Rookie of the Week three times over the course of the season. Former h ead coach Hue Jackson called Moore not only the most impressive rookie at training camp, but one of the most impressive of all the players. In the second game of the regular season against the Buffalo Bills he hauled in five passes for 146 yards and scored a touchdown. In week ten, he caught five passes for 123 yards and scored two touchdowns in the Raiders’ 24-17 victory over the San Diego Chargers.

During the all-important must-win game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Eve, Moore caught four passes for 94 yards and scored a touchdown.

The so-called experts are certainly not always right when it comes to their analysis. Who will be a stand-out in 2012? Fans have another six months or so to wait, but there is no doubt that the upcoming season will be an exciting one for Raider Nation.

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.

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 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.

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“I don’t have the answer, obviously,” Jackson said. “I talk to the team about it all the time. I don’t just talk. I yell, I scream, I threaten. I’ve done everything. I get a bunch of letters of people telling me other things I should try, too. And please don’t send any new ones because those things don’t work.”

The Raiders (8-7) head into their must-win season finale against San Diego needing four penalties for 11 yards to break both records held by the 1998 Kansas City Chiefs.

Considering the Raiders have committed at least four penalties in 27 straight games and have had at least 11 yards in penalties in all but three games since moving back to Oakland in 1995, it seems like a safe bet those records will fall.

Jackson vowed at the start of training camp that he would fix a problem that has plagued the Raiders for most of their history. Oakland has committed at least 100 penalties for 12 straight seasons and have ranked in the top five in total penalties in the NFL for five straight seasons.

Jackson has had three officials at most practices in order to curb the problem and said they usually see about three or four infractions a day. That rises to more than 10 a game when it counts.

The players have also instituted a $100 fine system for committing penalties with a jar on defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan’s desk collecting the loot.

“Charity will love us at the end of the year,” Bresnahan said.

But the flags keep flying each week. The Raiders have hit double digits in four straight games, including a season-high tying 15 in last week’s overtime win at Kansas City that featured a delay of game that negated a fake field goal for a touchdown.

“I wish we knew what it was,” quarterback Carson Palmer said. “It’s not a bunch of false starts. It’s not just holdings. It’s kind of all over the place. In special teams, on a touchdown a delay of game. It’s just been a weird year. There’s been some calls that you can’t find on film when you go back and watch them. It’s not one thing. It’s not a trend. As those flags get going in games I always have guys come up to me on the sideline saying, ‘This is what happens when you play for the Raiders.’”

There have been quite a variety of penalties with 58 being pre-snap calls, including 20 offsides calls and 19 false starts. There have also been a league-worst 29 personal fouls, and 39 holding calls.

The biggest problem has been on defense where the Raiders have committed a league-worst 78 penalties on defense — more than twice the league average of 35. They have 58 penalties on offense — tied for fourth most — and are tied for sixth with 19 on special teams.

“You want the penalties to hold down because they’re going to come back and bite you sooner or later,” said defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, who has been called for seven. “To me, just limit the 15-yarders, the big ones. We can deal with the 5-yarders. But the 15-yarders are the ones keeping the drives alive.”

There have been some costly ones as the Raiders have given opponents 54 first downs with penalties, including 20 drives that led to a score. Penalties aided Buffalo’s two fourth-quarter TD drives in a 38-35 Oakland loss in September and Detroit’s two fourth-quarter TD drives in the Raiders 28-27 loss earlier this month.

“I stay up late at night trying to figure this out, as much as I can,” Jackson said. “I’ve worked at that as hard as I’ve worked at anything. Sometimes it just doesn’t happen. Sometimes it just doesn’t happen, but we’ll have a long discussion about penalties when this season is over. I promise you that.”

In all, 43 players have accounted for the penalties, including Terrelle Pryor, who committed a false start to negate his only play all season. Jackson also has a penalty for challenging a scoring play in Week 2 at Buffalo, which is against the rules.

Cornerback Stanford Routt has been the most penalized player in the league with 16 — one more than the entire Green Bay defense. Offensive linemen Khalif Barnes and Jared Veldheer are next with 10 apiece, followed by defensive tackle Richard Seymour with nine.

“Obviously, getting penalties is never a good thing, but you can’t let that get in your head, because if you do then you’re playing into the other team’s hands,” Routt said. “You don’t ever want to let the referees decide the game, and if you let them get in your head, you’re letting them decide the game.”

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The fine jar in the defensive meeting room fills up with bills, suggestions pour in from fans and coach Hue Jackson’s voice gets hoarse from yelling.

Despite plenty of effort to cure the Oakland Raiders age-old penalty problem, this year’s team is on pace to shatter the NFL record for penalties and yards penalized in a season.

“I don’t have the answer, obviously,” Jackson said. “I talk to the team about it all the time. I don’t just talk. I yell, I scream, I threaten. I’ve done everything. I get a bunch of letters of people telling me other things I should try, too. And please don’t send any new ones because those things don’t work.”

The Raiders (8-7) head into their must-win season finale against San Diego needing four penalties for 11 yards to break both records held by the 1998 Kansas City Chiefs.

Considering the Raiders have committed at least four penalties in 27 straight games and have had at least 11 yards in penalties in all but three games since moving back to Oakland in 1995, it seems like a safe bet those records will fall.

Jackson vowed at the start of training camp that he would fix a problem that has plagued the Raiders for most of their history. Oakland has committed at least 100 penalties for 12 straight seasons and have ranked in the top five in total penalties in the NFL for five straight seasons.

Jackson has had three officials at most practices in order to curb the problem and said they usually see about three or four infractions a day. That rises to more than 10 a game when it counts.

The players have also instituted a $100 fine system for committing penalties with a jar on defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan’s desk collecting the loot.

“Charity will love us at the end of the year,” Bresnahan said.

But the flags keep flying each week. The Raiders have hit double digits in four straight games, including a season-high tying 15 in last week’s overtime win at Kansas City that featured a delay of game that negated a fake field goal for a touchdown.

“I wish we knew what it was,” quarterback Carson Palmer said. “It’s not a bunch of false starts. It’s not just holdings. It’s kind of all over the place. In special teams, on a touchdown a delay of game. It’s just been a weird year. There’s been some calls that you can’t find on film when you go back and watch them. It’s not one thing. It’s not a trend. As those flags get going in games I always have guys come up to me on the sideline saying, ‘This is what happens when you play for the Raiders.’”

There have been quite a variety of penalties with 58 being pre-snap calls, including 20 offsides calls and 19 false starts. There have also been a league-worst 29 personal fouls, and 39 holding calls.

The biggest problem has been on defense where the Raiders have committed a league-worst 78 penalties on defense — more than twice the league average of 35. They have 58 penalties on offense — tied for fourth most — and are tied for sixth with 19 on special teams.

“You want the penalties to hold down because they’re going to come back and bite you sooner or later,” said defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, who has been called for seven. “To me, just limit the 15-yarders, the big ones. We can deal with the 5-yarders. But the 15-yarders are the ones keeping the drives alive.”

There have been some costly ones as the Raiders have given opponents 54 first downs with penalties, including 20 drives that led to a score. Penalties aided Buffalo’s two fourth-quarter TD drives in a 38-35 Oakland loss in September and Detroit’s two fourth-quarter TD drives in the Raiders 28-27 loss earlier this month.

“I stay up late at night trying to figure this out, as much as I can,” Jackson said. “I’ve worked at that as hard as I’ve worked at anything. Sometimes it just doesn’t happen. Sometimes it just doesn’t happen, but we’ll have a long discussion about penalties when this season is over. I promise you that.”

In all, 43 players have accounted for the penalties, including Terrelle Pryor, who committed a false start to negate his only play all season. Jackson also has a penalty for challenging a scoring play in Week 2 at Buffalo, which is against the rules.

Cornerback Stanford Routt has been the most penalized player in the league with 16 — one more than the entire Green Bay defense. Offensive linemen Khalif Barnes and Jared Veldheer are next with 10 apiece, followed by defensive tackle Richard Seymour with nine.

“Obviously, getting penalties is never a good thing, but you can’t let that get in your head, because if you do then you’re playing into the other team’s hands,” Routt said. “You don’t ever want to let the referees decide the game, and if you let them get in your head, you’re letting them decide the game.”