OAKLAND RAIDERS

2012 Odds:
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Odds to Win AFC West: 11/2
Odds to Win AFC Championship: 25/1
Odds to Win Super Bowl XLVII: 60/1
Regular Season Wins Over/Under: 7.5

2012 Preview:
Offense:
After switching back to a power-blocking scheme last year, the Raiders are going back to the zone-blocking scheme they used with success in the Tom Cable years—they still have the line to do it. Darren McFadden was better in last year’s power-blocking scheme, but he’s had success in the one-cut system. Considering his injury history they weren’t about to build around him though. His back-ups, Mike Goodson and Taiwan Jones, are both one-cut runners. They’ll likely ride McFadden as a three-down back until he gets hurt again. The Raiders were the NFL’s most run-heavy red zone offense a year ago, and it figures to stay that way.

Offensive coordinator Greg Knapp prefers a catch-and-run West Coast passing game to the vertical attack the Raiders ran during the Al Davis years. Considering his fading arm strength, quarterback Carson Palmer should benefit. Palmer will be asked to do a little more in terms of throwing on the move and ball-handling on play-action. His receivers, however, don’t really fit the West Coast mold—Darrius Heyward-Bey, Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford are all primarily deep threats. It could open up opportunities for the tight ends, though Brandon Myers isn’t much of an option. In the end, there could be a ton of passes going to McFadden. When the Raiders throw off play-action near the goal line, Heyward-Bey and Moore figure to be the most common targets.

Defense:
The Raiders were woeful on defense in 2011, ranking 27th in the NFL in both passing defense and rushing defense, and allowing the fourth-most points in the league. They should benefit from the return of DE Matt Shaughnessy, whose 2011 season was cut very short by a shoulder injury. With a quick first step and long arms that allow him to fight off blocks, he’ll not only produce from the starting RDE spot in 2012, but he’ll draw attention away from Richard Seymour—the veteran lineman totaled just one sack over his final 11 games of 2011 without Shaughnessy on the field. Former No. 8 overall pick Rolando McClain will be Oakland’s starting middle linebacker in new head coach Dennis Allen’s defense, but that’s only if he avoids suspension and jail time—McClain is appealing a 180-day jail sentence he received in May after being found guilty on assault charges. About the only good thing that can be said about that secondary is that safety Tyvon Branch is a solid run-stopper—the Raiders are severely lacking in talent when it comes to pass coverage.

Key Offseason Moves:
ADDITIONS
RB Mike Goodson (from Panthers)
FB Owen Schmitt (from Eagles)
T Ed Wang (did not play in 2011)
G Mike Brisiel (from Texans)
DE Dave Tollefson (from Giants)
LB Philip Wheeler (from Colts)
CB Shawntae Spencer (from 49ers)
CB Ron Bartell (from Rams)
CB Pat Lee (from Packers)

SUBTRACTIONS
QB Jason Campbell (Bears)
QB Kyle Boller (retired)
RB Michael Bush (Bears)
RB Rock Cartwright (49ers)
WR Chaz Schilens (Jets)
WR Louis Murphy (Panthers)
TE Kevin Boss (Chiefs)
T Bruce Campbell (Panthers)
T Stephon Heyer (Jets)
C Samson Satele (Colts)
DE Trevor Scott (Patriots)
DT John Henderson (retired)
LB Darryl Blackstock (Ravens)
LB Kamerion Wimbley (Titans)
LB Quentin Groves (Cardinals)
CB Stanford Routt (Chiefs)
CB Chris Johnson (released)
S Hiram Eugene (released)

2012 Schedule:
2012 Schedule Strength: 19.31 (28th toughest in NFL)
Week 1 - San Diego
Week 2 - at Miami
Week 3 - Pittsburgh
Week 4 - at Denver
Week 5 - BYE WEEK
Week 6 - at Atlanta
Week 7 - Jacksonville
Week 8 - at Kansas City
Week 9 - Tampa Bay
Week 10 - at Baltimore
Week 11 - New Orleans
Week 12 - at Cincinnati
Week 13 - Cleveland
Week 14 - Denver
Week 15 - Kansas City
Week 16 - at Carolina
Week 17 - at San Diego

StatFox Take: The Raiders could make some noise in the AFC West this year with the fifth-easiest schedule in the league. Assuming the offense stays healthy, there are a ton of winnable games and only a couple instances of possible bad weather tilts against the Ravens and Bengals. New head coach Dennis Allen was hired to make sure this club trims its 163 penalties and 1,358 penalty yards from last year (both NFL records). Expect a third straight season of .500 or better in 2012.
Prediction: OVER 7.5 wins (+125)

All NFL Previews

AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC South
Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Tennessee Titans

AFC West
Denver Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs
Oakland Raiders
San Diego Chargers - Thursday, August 16

NFC East
Dallas Cowboys - Friday, August 17
New York Giants - Saturday, August 18
Philadelphia Eagles - Sunday, August 19
Washington Redskins - Monday, August 20

NFC North
Chicago Bears - Tuesday, August 21
Detroit Lions - Wednesday, August 22
Green Bay Packers - Thursday, August 23
Minnesota Vikings - Friday, August 24

NFC South
Atlanta Falcons - Saturday, August 25
Carolina Panthers - Sunday, August 26
New Orleans Saints - Monday, August 27
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Tuesday, August 28

NFC West
Arizona Cardinals - Wednesday, August 29
San Francisco 49ers - Thursday, August 30
Seattle Seahawks - Friday, August 31
St. Louis Rams - Saturday, September 1