The 2012 NFL draft is now just hours away, and there are many rumors and reports as to which players the Oakland Raiders might pick up this year. On Wednesday, April 25, James Robert Sanos of East Bay Sports tweeted that the Raiders are showing a strong interest in the former Colorado quarterback Tyler Hansen.

Sanos wrote, ” Source: #Raiders looking to sign CU QB Tyler Hanson. Scout that went to see him work out loved what he saw,” and shortly after he added, ” #Raiders looking to sign Hanson to a try out deal for training camp and to put him on the PS for the up coming season.”

At this point the Raiders do not have a solid quarterback other than Carson Palmer. If something were to happen as it did in 2011 with Jason Campbell’s season-ending injury, who would be backup?

The Raiders have third-string quarterback Terrelle Pryor who only spent a matter of minutes on the field in Oakland against Kansas City last year , the week after Campbell went down. I think he could eventually become a primary backup , but he needs more time to develop.

Oakland signed Rhett Bomar in January . As of yet, he’s an unimpressive quarterback who was released by the Minnesota Vikings just prior to the 2011 season following an arrest for third degree drunken driving. Kyle Boller is still listed on the Raiders’ web site, however, he’s a free agent and it’s likely he’ll disappear in the near future. His contribution to the team in 2011 came in week seven when he became the Raiders first quarterback in 13 years to throw three interceptions in the first half.

While I believe Oakland really needs another veteran quarterback added to the roster, we all know that general manager Reggie McKenzie is not working with a lot of extra cash.

The former CU Buffs quarterback started in 12 games last year and was a co-recipient of the John Mack Award, along with wide receiver Tony Celmons, as the team’s most outstanding offensive player. He is listed on Colorado’s all-time career list at fourth in passing yards with 5,705, third in pass completions at 505 and fourth at touchdown passes with 35.

With just hours away from this year’s draft, there is a lot of excited anticipation building as we move a little closer to the start of the 2012 season. I have faith that McKenzie is putting the pieces of the puzzle back together in a way that could result in the Raiders finally making it to the postseason after a decade of disappointment. We have to hope for the best.

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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ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) Coach Dennis Allen will get a prime-time stage to the start of his tenure with the Oakland Raiders.

The Raiders will once again open the season in the back end of a Monday night doubleheader on Sept. 10 at home against San Diego. This marks the fourth time in five years that Oakland has opened in the late Monday night game.

”I’m excited about it. You grow up watching Monday Night Football and the theme song,” Allen said Tuesday. ”We’re excited about getting to open up the new era of Raider football both in the preseason on Monday night and in the regular season.”

The NFL released the 2012 schedule on Tuesday, the same day Allen held his first voluntary minicamp since taking over as Raiders coach from the fired Hue Jackson in January.

Many of the players had already been at the facility the past two weeks for voluntary offseason conditioning, but this was the first time Allen and his coaching staff could get them out on the field.

”We’re using this as an opportunity to really install a core base offense, defense and special teams,” he said. ”Really just get a chance to let the guys go through the motions of breaking a huddle lining up in a formation, lining up in a defense, lining up in a punt team formation and allow them to get a feel for what we’re going to do and how they’re going to be asked to do it.”

This is the first chance for the staff to get a firsthand look at their new players. General manager Reggie McKenzie said last week this would be a particularly important three-day test for second-year quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

The Raiders used a 2012 third-round pick to take Pryor in the supplemental draft last August but never got a chance to see what the former Ohio State star could do. He signed too late to play in the preseason and got on the field just once in the regular season, committing a false start on his only play.

”What I want to see is that every day he gets a little bit better,” Allen said. ”That’s what we’re looking for with all of our players. None of us are where we need to be right now.”

One encouraging sign was that star running back Darren McFadden was able to participate. McFadden missed the final nine games last season with a sprained right foot and never got a chance to play with new quarterback Carson Palmer, who made his debut with the Raiders later in the game that McFadden hurt his foot.

McFadden ran for 614 yards and scored five touchdowns in seven games last season. He had a big season in 2010 when he gained 1,664 yards from scrimmage and scored 10 touchdowns but has missed 19 games in four seasons because of various injuries.

”He’s one of our most explosive players on offense,” Allen said. ”He’s a dangerous weapon. We’re looking forward to finding different ways of using him and kind of exploiting his talents.”

Allen hopes to have a healthy McFadden for the entire season. Other highlights of the schedule include a Thursday night home game against Denver on Dec. 6. That comes in the middle of a three-game homestand to start December, with games also against Cleveland and Kansas City.

The Raiders end the season with their only back-to-back road games, making trips to Carolina and San Diego. They also have road games surrounding their Oct. 7 bye, going to Denver before the week off and Atlanta the following week.

The trip to Atlanta is one of five to the Eastern time zone, the most the Raiders have ever made in a regular season, including a Week 2 trip to Miami.

Oakland also hosts Pittsburgh on Sept. 23 and travels to Cincinnati Nov. 25, where Jackson returned as an assistant after being fired by the Raiders.

Fans like me of the Oakland Raiders now have a date and a place where the 2012 Raiders preseason will start. The Oakland Raiders will host the Cowboys in Oakland in a nationally televised game on August 13. The game will be the big national Monday night game and will be seen on ESPN, with a 5 p.m. PT kickoff. Things will start at home for the Raiders and the game will be in their O.co Coliseum. It’s the 28th time the Raiders and Cowboys have played in preseason action, with the Raiders leading the series 18-9. I think the Raiders – Cowboys games are always exciting and the two teams are probably the most loved and most hated in the NFL, which is which would depend on who you asked.

The Raiders announced their preseason schedule along with more details about their regular season opponents. I’m excited about things starting to move forward and more details about the Raiders’ 2012 schedule being announced. All this is only days after the the team convened for their first day of the Offseason Program.

Preseason Games

The Raiders will play against the Dallas Cowboys on August 13, then in Arizona against the Cardinals the next week. The Raiders will welcome Detroit to Oakland between August 23-26 with the last game against the Seahawks the next week. The times and the national TV outlets have yet to be announced. The preseason schedule seems pretty easy to me, with no great challenges. The regular season is a whole different story.

Regular Season Home Games

The 2012 NFL regular season starts with some Wednesday games on September 5, with September 9th as the first Sunday of the season. The Raiders will welcome the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Broncos, Steelers and Saints all qualified for the 2011 playoffs and will all be great games to watch.

Regular Season Away Games

Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals and the Miami Dolphins. Again, the Broncos, as well as the Ravens, Bengals and Falcons all had playoff positions in 2011.

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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There may be a lot of pressure on Oakland Raiders’ running back Darren McFadden to live up to this season, but he sounds ready for the challenge, and just as fired up as quarterback Carson Palmer to get the 2012 season started.

McFadden left the game early in week seven in which the Raiders faced the Kansas City Chiefs in Oakland. Many of us would like to forget that day in October that seemed to be the beginning of the end to a disappointing finish in 2011. With Jason Campbell and Darren McFadden on the field, it seemed that anything was possible.

Over a 15-day period, the Raiders’ iconic owner Al Davis died, Campbell suffered a broken collar bone and McFadden experienced a serious foot injury, and we all know how the rest of the story went.

In 2012, things are looking up. Palmer not only has the passion, but the talent and the leadership skills to get the Raiders back to their winning ways. He was missing a key player out on the field last season, never getting the chance to throw to McFadden.

This afternoon, the exceptional running back spoke to Sirius XM NFL Radio on his foot injury and the feeling that the Raiders have behind the scenes during the offseason in Alameda.

McFadden said, “I’m feeling pretty good now.” He also remarked that he can’t worry about getting hurt again because he’s got to concentrate on playing hard. He reiterated what every other player wearing the silver and black has said recently, stating, “It’s a great feeling around the organization,” and said that everyone is very excited about the new coaching staff.

The 24-year-old told Sirius XM that he also believes Palmer will do a tremendous job for the offense in 2012 and is anxious to get back out on the field again.

When McFadden is healthy, he’s considered to be one of the best running backs in the NFL. In the first game of the 2011 season, he rushed for 150 yards against Denver. It was the most ever for a Raiders’ running back in a season opener.

In barely over six games last year, he accumulated 614 yards and 113 carries with four touchdowns. In 2010, he amassed 1,157 rushing yards with 223 carries and seven touchdowns and on the receiving end he had 47 catches, 507 yards and three touchdowns.

The feeling of excitement that’s in the air is undeniable. If fans were waiting for the players on the Silver and Black to show the same passion on the field that the Raider Nation has for the team, it looks like they’re on the right track.

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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OAKLAND (CBS/AP) – The Oakland Raiders have agreed on a $2 million, one-year contract to bring back right tackle Khalif Barnes.

Barnes’ agent, Kenneth Zuckerman, said Wednesday the sides had reached a deal to keep Barnes in Oakland for a fourth season.

After spending most of his first two years with the Raiders as a reserve, Barnes started all 16 games at right tackle last year.

The deal comes the same day the Raiders lost starting center Samson Satele to Indianapolis in free agency.

The Raiders signed guard Mike Brisiel to a four-year deal worth almost $20 million last week and brought back recently released guard Cooper Carlisle this week.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Raiders.com, the official website of the Oakland Raiders is filled with interesting facts and figures about the Silver and Black. Looking back into Raider history, here are the Raiders’ longest plays:

Longest Rushing Plays

92 yards – Bo Jackson – 11/5/89 against Cincinnati

91 yards – Bo Jackson – 11/30/87 in Seattle

89 yards – Kenny King – 12/16/90 against Cincinnati

After four years with the Oakland Raiders, Jackson put up some amazing stats. 2,782 yards rushing with 16 touchdowns.

Longest Passing Plays

99 yards – Jim Plunkett to Cliff Branch – 10/2/83 in Washington

94 yards – George Blanda to Warren Wells – 11/10/68 in Denver

93 yards – Tom Flores to Dobie Craig – 10/20/63 against New York

Aside from reminding the Raider nation that Tom Flores was once a great quarterback, I think these stats show how bad the Raiders need a superstar quarterback. The number four longest pass was from Marc Wilson to Marcus Allen in 1984, but the number five is a 90 yarder from 1962.

Longest Field Goals

63 yards – Sebastian Janikowski – 9/12/11 in Denver

61 yards – Sebastian Janikowski – 12/27/09 in Cleveland

59 yards – Sebastian Janikowski – 12/26/10 against Indianpolis

This category is all about Sebastian Janikowski and I think it shows what an incredible, dominant player he is, within his own position.

Longest Kickoff Returns

104 yards – Ira Matthews – 10/25/79 against San Diego

102 yards – Harold Hart – 9/22/75 in Miami

101 yards – Jacoby Ford – 11/28/10 against Miami

Jacoby Ford is also fourth and fifth on the list with returns of 101 yards in 2011 and a 99 yarder in 2010.

Longest Punt Returns

97 yards – Greg Pruitt – 10/2/83 in Washington

93 yards – Johnnie Lee Higgins – 11/16/08 in Miami

89 yards – Johnnie Lee Higgins – 11/23/08 in Denver

Longest Fumble Returns

104 yards – Jack Tatum – 9/24/72 in Green Bay

96 yards – Charles Phillips – 10/8/78 against Houston

77 yards – Rod Martin – 11/18/84 against Kansas City

Jack Tatum, truly a Raider legend, returned a fumble from inside the Packers’ end zone for the NFL’s longest fumble recovery (the record was tied by another player in 2000).

Longest Interception Returns

102 yards – Eddie Anderson – 12/14/92 in Miami

100 yards – Chris Carr – 10/29/06 against Pittsburgh

98 yards – Rod Woodson – 11/11/02 in Denver

With the fourth longest return in 1984 and the fifth in 1998, I’m surprised we don’t see more long returns from the classic Oakland Raider teams of the 1960s and 70s.

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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ALAMEDA (AP) – The Oakland Raiders have cut cornerback Chris Johnson and safety Hiram Eugene in their latest moves to get under the salary cap before Tuesday’s deadline.

The team announced the moves on Friday that shed about $6 million from next season’s payroll.

The Raiders have cut their two starting cornerbacks from the start of last season. Stanford Routt was released last month and signed with AFC West rival Kansas City.

Johnson played four games this past season before being sidelined by an injured hamstring. Eugene missed all last season with a hip injury.

The Raiders previously restructured the contracts of quarterback Carson Palmer, defensive tackle Richard Seymour and safety Michael Huff to save $20 million against the 2012 cap. Linebacker Aaron Curry also tweeted that he restructured his deal to help the Raiders save even more.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. )

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

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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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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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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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.

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.

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

Three Oakland Raiders Selected to the Pro Bowl: Fan reaction

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

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