Silver and Black Report

With the conference championship games completed last Sunday, the 2012 Pro Bowl rosters have been finalized and both teams have begun practicing in Honolulu for

Sunday’s game.

Due to the New England Patriots playing in Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5 and numerous injuries around the league, the NFL was forced to replace a total of 16 players on the AFC roster. Unfortunately for the Raiders, none of the players invited donned the Silver & Black this season.

Earlier this month, the league named Raiders safety Tyvon Branch, defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, running back Darren McFadden and fullback Marcel Reece as alternates for the Jan. 29 Pro Bowl game.

Tommy Kelly hoped to make his first Pro Bowl with Patriots Vince Wilfork going to the Super Bowl and Ravens Haloti Ngata out with an injury, instead, the league chose Cincinnati’s Geno Atkins and Miami’s Paul Soliai.

Kelly, who was also listed as an alternate for the 2011 Pro Bowl, finished the season with 41 tackles, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. Atkins finished with 47 tackles, 7.5 sacks and two forced fumbles while Soliai finished with only 27 tackles and no sacks or forced fumbles.

Reece also looked to make his first Pro Bowl, most likely being the next in line had the Ravens and their fullback Vonte Leach made the Super Bowl instead of the Patriots.

Reece, who played as a wide receiver at University of Washington, once again played an integral part in Oakland’s offense when on the field. Reece only played in ten games this season, starting six, but finished with 17 carries for 122 yards and 27 receptions for 301 yards and two touchdowns.

With Reece and Kelly not getting the call, the Raiders lone four Pro Bowl representatives will be punter Shane Lechler, long snapper Jon Condo, defensive tackle Richard Seymour and place kicker Sebastian Janikowski.

Lechler, playing in his 7th Pro Bowl, averaged 50.8 yards per kick this season and broke the Raiders franchise record with an 80-yard punt that went sailing over the dangerous Devin Hester when the Raiders took on the Chicago Bears in week 12.

Seymour has been named a starter for the game and is also participating in his 7th Pro Bowl of his career. Seymour played in all 16 games, often through injury, and finished the season with 29 tackles, six sacks and two kicks blocked.

Janikowski’s roster spot marks the first time that the former first-round draft pick has made the Pro Bowl in his 12-year career. Janikowski hit 31 of his 35 attempts (88.6 percent) while connecting on seven attempts 50+ yards out, including a league record-tying 63-yard field goal against the Denver Broncos in week one on Monday Night Football.

Condo earned his spot in the Pro Bowl by being named the AFC’s “need” player, an honor that also sent him to the 2009 Pro Bowl.

Be sure to check back on SBReport.net for exclusive coverage of the 2012 Pro Bowl.

SBReport.net will take a look at the best and worst moments for the 2011 Oakland Raiders; including top plays, standout players and performances, and a lot more…

MVP (On Offense)

Michael Bush, RB

Why Bush? If not for his 977-yards rushing, 418-receiving and eight total scores, Oakland would have been in deep trouble. Yes, Darren McFadden is their most dynamic player and a superstar-type talent, but he missed the entire second half and if not for depth at that position, the Raiders offense would have been stagnant. That’s why both need to be kept together.

Honorable Mention: Jared Veldheer, LT – He faced Jared Allen, Tamba Hali twice, Julius Peppers, Elvis Dumervil twice, Andre Carter, Cameron Wake in a season of growth and maturity into one of the better young left tackles in the league.

MVP (On Defense)

Tommy Kelly, DT

I felt he had a better overall season than Richard Seymour and got slighted in the Pro Bowl selection process. He had 7.5 sacks and was steadier game in and game out.

Honorable Mention: Tyvon Branch, SS – Improved his coverage skills greatly and continued to be stout when placed around the line of scrimmage. Now, it’s time for a payday.

MVP (Special Teams)

Sebastian Janikowski, PK

He altered the look of the offense. When other teams opt to punt, Oakland strolls out their powerful kicker. With a better defense, imagine if the Raiders offense didn’t feel the stress of going long-distances on drives with Janikowski on their side.

BEST COACH

Bob Wylie

Veldheer became an anchor and Samson Satele has proven to be reliable and durable. Stefen Wisniewski did not play like a rookie and the right side, which was a major question mark coming into the season, held their own. With a top ranked running game and very few sacks allowed, Wylie easily was Oakland’s most valuable staffer.

MOST IMPROVED (On Offense)

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR

In a landslide… the maligned target ended with 64-receptions for 975-yards and four scores.

MOST IMPROVED (On Defense)

This award will not be given to anyone.

BEST ROOKIE

Denarius Moore, WR

A true play-maker who can stretch the field… and he was drafted in what round?

PLAYERS WHO DISAPPOINTED…

Lamarr Houston trying to amp-up the crowd vs. the Chargers.

Kamerion Wimbley, LB – Only had seven sacks, but four of them were in one game versus the Chargers. If he’s going to be out there, Oakland needs him to be a menace pass rushing and not caught in bad match-ups with the likes of Antonio Gates.

Rolando McClain, LB – An arrest, very few impact plays at middle linebacker… if he wouldn’t had the off-field issues, it could’ve been easier to ship the talent who may need a new start elsewhere.

Lamarr Houston, DE – Only one-sack for the second year pro.

CLASSIEST RAIDERS

Quentin Groves, LB – Moved out of the starting line-up when Aaron Curry was acquired, the linebacker got on special teams and played well.

Jason Campbell, QB – At the beginning of the season, it appeared that the stars were aligned for Campbell – team on the rise, he’s at the helm playing well, at the end of a contract. Now, he may not have many options in the market to start and may have to settle on being Carson Palmer’s back up.

PLAYER MISSED THE MOST… (due to injury)

Matt Shaughnessy, DE – He has a motor, can bring the heat and is a solid edge defender. It could’ve helped.

PLAYER MISSED THE MOST… (due to departure)

Nnamdi Asomugha, CB – Boy, did that secondary need someone opposing passers feared.

PLAYER WHO NEEDS TO BE INCORPORATED MORE…

Kevin Boss, TE – They are paying him well for only 39-targets, 28 catches for 368-yards and three touchdowns. Oakland’s offense also features a very good receiving fullback (Marcel Reece) and with all the youth at receiver and rushers than can also be threats as pass-catchers, its easy to forget about Boss.

MOST OVERRATED (on offense)

Jacoby Ford, WR

Injuries slowed him, but he rarely showed any of the glimpses we saw in his rookie season.

MOST OVERRATED (on defense)

Matt Giordano, FS

Yes, he led the team with five interceptions, but many of them were in the ‘right at him’ category. Too many times he took horrible angles in run support and missed on tackles to spring running backs for bigger gains.

Honorable Mention: Stanford Routt, CB – How many times did he get flagged? Teams were not afraid to go after him – not what you want out of a top-paid cornerback.

BEST MOMENTS

Tommy Kelly, Jarvis Moss & the rest of the defense had fun bullying Mark Sanchez.

• Rallying versus the Texans on the weekend of Al Davis’ passing – On a emotional afternoon, with heavy hearts, Oakland overcame a deficit and held on late, on the game’s final play to win their first game without the legendary owner.
• Bullying the Jets in front of the ‘Black Hole’ – They ran for 234-yards, beat up Mark Sanchez and enjoyed a 34-24 victory against a top team.
• John Madden lighting up the torch – It was the Raiders first game at home without Davis, and during halftime, the coach who made his mark with the Silver & Black, lit up a cauldron during a ceremony to remember his life.
• Winning three in a row and getting to 7-4 in late November.
• The Raider fans selling out all eight home games.

WORST MOMENTS

• Al Davis Dying – It’s still unimaginable that the man synonymous with the Silver & Black will no longer be with us.
• Second-Half vs. Bills – Ryan Fitzpatrick torched Oakland, as Buffalo scored at will on every possession in the second half. One stop by the defense, and the Raiders could’ve had another win.
• Chiefs Stomping – Losing to the Chiefs is always painful for the Raiders. But getting trounced at home 28-0 was just embarrassing.
• Losing four out of their last five games to end the season, including an embarrassing collapse against the Lions and the disastrous finale versus the Chargers.

BEST PLAYS

• Janikowski’s 63-yard field goal versus Denver – Tied for the league’s longest kick and gave the Raiders a 16-3 halftime lead. Oh, Janikowski didn’t really hit it cleanly.
• Moore’s 50-yard TD catch in Buffalo – That gave Oakland a 35-31 lead late in the fourth quarter. The Bills eventually won, 38-35.
• Huff’s INT versus Houston – The free-safety sealed the game with his interception, as time expired, and with the Raiders one-man short.
• Lechler’s TD – Oakland went up 24-7 against the Browns when Shane Lechler connected with Kevin Boss for a 35-yard score, off a fake field goal.
• Heyward-Bey’s 53-yard catch to set up the game winning field goal in overtime against the Chiefs.

BEST INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCES

• Wimbley’s sack parade vs. the Chargers.
• Carson Palmer’s 14-20 for 299 and 2 scores against the Chargers.
• McFadden’s 171-yards rushing vs. the Jets.
• Michael Bush’s record breaking night against San Diego.
• Janikowski’s six field goals vs. the Bears.

BEST PASS BY A NON-QB

Shane Lechler’s TD to Kevin Boss.

WORST PASSES BY A QB

How many did Kyle Boller attempt vs. the Chiefs?

MID-SEASON ACQUISITION THAT WILL STICK AROUND…

Aaron Curry

MID-SEASON ACQUISITIONS THAT WILL NOT STICK AROUND…

Lito Sheppard

BEST QUOTE

“I’m watching [the] History Channel and Fox Sports Soccer.” – Tommy Kelly after being eliminated and asked if he would watch the playoffs.

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Yesterday’s 38-26 defeat at the hands of the San Diego Chargers will sting for a bit.

“To find out it worked out the way you needed it to and to lose this one,” quarterback Carson Palmer said. “It’s going to be a long offseason.”

The Oakland Raiders had everything go right at another site to pave the way to a division crown. Kansas City handled their business and gave the Silver & Black a shot. The Raiders couldn’t close with a win and now they will be headed home for the winter.

“If you can’t stop a team with everything on the line, you don’t deserve to be a playoff team,” defensive tackle Richard Seymour said. “We didn’t get it done. So this one hurts. It stings for sure. It’s disappointing. It’s frustrating.”

Oakland ended the year 29^th in the league in yards allowed per game (387.6), 29^th in points allowed per game (27.1) and allowed a franchise-worst 31 TD passes this season.

Someone has to take the blame for that, especially since in key games, when they needed stops at any point late in contest, they failed; namely at Buffalo, in Oakland versus the Broncos and the collapse against the Lions.

“I think Chuck [Bresnahan] knows how I feel,” Hue Jackson said. “I’m disappointed over there. I have been. Chuck knows what I feel, and it’s not good enough.”

Bresnahan has far too much talent on that defense… and we all know the players aren’t going anywhere.

Jackson should feel the heat more for this collapse as well. For months, he danced around the Darren McFadden injury issue; he boasted about building a bully and proclaimed that the penalty issues would get fixed — all contributing factors to their playoff-less season.

The head coach commented: “To say I’m [mad] is an understatement. Obviously we got beat here at home, and it didn’t look like a football team that was hungry enough to go win the AFC West title. … “We didn’t play well. I’m not going to sugarcoat it.”

Oakland didn’t play well in their grandest stage. For the first time since going back to the Bay Area, the Raiders hosted eight-games that were completely sold-out. They managed to disappoint their fans in the franchises biggest game since their conference championship win versus the Titans.

A listless performance – one that  reflects bad on the coach.

“Maybe they thought that team was going to lay down. I told ‘em all week, I knew they weren’t. I told you guys. I told the media. I told them. That’s all I preached,” said Jackson.

His preaching’s were not good enough in 2011. He talked the talk, but could not walk the walk.

Jackson talked about the Raiders needing an attitude adjustment next season. This may be true, but the coach also may need to take a new tact when handling the team from week-to-week. He was a rookie coach; so we saw many questionable Xs and Os, time management issues and other flaws that can be learned from. He can also use now his free time to be introspective and realize what he can do better to elevate the play of his roster.

“What I mean by that, the killer instinct has got to exist here. It’s something I’ve talked about. You try to change it, change it, change it. You do a lot of different things, and I haven’t been able to get it changed,” Jackson said.

Changing that attitude in one-season is tough, but that was done in 2010 with Tom Cable – in 2011, they had to step forward.

It can be done and in the NFL, it has been proven that quick-turnarounds are possible. Which makes this season a disappointing one.

It’s an unstable league from year-to-year, and with the Raiders at 7-4 in late November; this is why Jackson has to look at this as a missed opportunity.

“I didn’t see it coming. It’s sickening. We’ve got seven months to think about it. We ain’t good enough yet,” stated Tommy Kelly.

He’s right. They are not good enough yet. But that doesn’t automatically mean that they’ll be next campaign.

MORE REACTION

• Carson Palmer: “Anytime you lose at the end of the season and your season is over and you don’t win the Super Bowl it’s difficult. It’s frustrating when you hear the other outcomes of other games and know what was there to be had — [it] just makes it that much worse, that much more difficult.”
• Richard Seymour: “It feels like a bad dream, for sure. But it’s reality. The reality of it is, we couldn’t stop ‘em when we needed to. I don’t think we stopped ‘em all day.”
• Tommy Kelly on whether he’ll watch the post-season: “I’m watching [the] History Channel and Fox Sports Soccer.”
• Vincent Jackson on ending the season for Oakland: “It wasn’t our goal to end their season, but it is kind of nice because we’re going home as well.”

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It’s a must-win game on Sunday for the Oakland Raiders (8-7) when the rivals San Diego Chargers (7-8) invade the O.co Coliseum. With a win and some help, the Silver & Black could either be a division winner, or a wild-card participant in the post-season. Either way, Oakland has to win and finish with an above .500 record for the first time since the 2002 season for a chance at the playoffs. “You have to embrace these moments because they don’t come around too often. You want to play your best football in the biggest games. As a competitor, you have to want that, but you have to enjoy it. It’s a fun time,” said Richard Seymour.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

On Offense:

Oakland has to continue the trend of pounding Michael Bush at the Chargers. In seven career games versus San Diego, Bush has amassed 490-yards rushing (4.3) and four touchdowns, including his record breaking 242-yards from scrimmage performance earlier in the season.

“We’ve been doing a good job sticking to it and not getting behind where we have to turn to pass situations,” stated the running back.

Oakland has to play from in-front and pound away at the Chargers front-seven in hopes of demoralizing them but more importantly, keeping the attack balanced against a defense that has 13-sacks in their last four games.

On Defense:

Chuck Bresnahan’s unit is under scrutiny, but they’ll get back safety Michael Huff and may have a motivated Tommy Kelly, who was bypassed on the Pro-Bowl selection process.

“[Huff] gives you another outstanding competitor and another outstanding football player,” Bresnahan was quoted this week. “We’ll see where he’s at and judge it as the week goes on.”

Oakland’s secondary will likely be under a lot of pressure with Norv Turner possibly coaching his last game in San Diego and Philip Rivers wanting to go out with gun’s blazing.

The Raiders need to get a heavy pass rush and contain tight end Antonio Gates.

In 17 games versus Oakland, Gates has compiled 69-catches for 934-yards and nine touchdowns. That duty will likely go to Mike Mitchell.

Kamerion Wimbley had four sacks earlier in the season at San Diego, but has only tallied three others the entire campaign. The Chargers have been forced into seven turnovers in their last three games against Oakland, mainly due to the pressure placed on Rivers.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

On Offense:

Rivers has always been a closer, and nothing demonstrates that more than his 25-3 record as a starter in December.

Despite throwing a career high 19 interceptions, he was selected to the Pro Bowl roster. And with talk of Turner’s possible demise, he’s motivated to end the season strong.

“I think it is evident what I feel about [Turner],” Rivers said. “It has been an unusual year and a rough year. Hopefully everybody here, coaches included, will be able to gear up and go back at it next year.”

Rivers has thrown for 4,314 yards and is just the fourth quarterback in NFL history with four straight seasons over 4,000 yards. With one more touchdown pass, Rivers will become just the sixth quarterback in league history with at least 25 touchdown passes in four straight seasons.

On Defense:

Shaun Phillips has been a Raider-killer in his career, compiling 11.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 13-games against Oakland.

But it was Eric Weddle who made headlines this week, not just for his Pro Bowl nod, but his desire to keep the Silver & Black out of the playoffs.

“I don’t want the Raiders to go,” said Weddle, who is tied for the NFL lead with seven interceptions. “We have control over at least one more game, and who can go. “We’re going to try our hardest to spoil their postseason and keep them out of it.”

The Chargers have struggled with spread-offenses, so it will be interesting to see if Oakland puts the game on Palmer’s abilities, or do they try to re-establish a ground presence?

GAME NOTES

• “Everybody in the locker room wants to win and wants to win now,” Shane Lechler said about the team’s playoff hopes. “My situation is, hopefully I get to see this thing go full circle. I had it great when I first got here. … Just to see it go full circle would be good.”
• Carson Palmer on the importance of Sunday’s game: “These types of games, especially when you get to play them at home. These types of games are why you do what you do in February, March, April, May when nobody is watching. It’s why you stay up late at night watching film. This is why you do that, to be prepared. … This is a big moment for this team and our fans.”
• Darren McFadden will be out.
• For the first time in 16-years, all eight home games have been sold out.
• DE Trevor Scott was named this year’s Ed Block Courage Award winner.
• “I don’t know what the penalty thing is,” Tommy Kelly on Oakland’s record breaking penalty pace. “Coach stresses it, defensive coordinator stresses it, D-line coach stresses it.”
• Jacoby Ford will play on Sunday. Taiwain Jones practiced, but could be a game-time decision.

KEY MATCHUPS

Rivers vs. Oakland’s Pass Rush/Secondary

It’s been a strange season for the fiery passer, who will miss the playoffs but go to Hawaii in a few weeks. He’s into the rivalry and a huge statistical game versus a rival and keeping them out of the playoffs will be his motivation on Sunday.

Bush-whacked

San Diego was mauled by the Oakland offensive line in their first meeting. It will be in the Raiders best interest to start the game by establishing themselves on the ground and keep pounding on a defense that may want to go home early for the winter.

PREDICTION

Raiders 30 – Chargers 16
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The Oakland Raiders will have three representatives at the Pro Bowl this season: kicker Sebastian Janikowski, punter Shane Lechler and defensive tackle Richard Seymour.

Lechler will make his seventh appearance (’01, ’04, ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10, ’11) at the league’s all-star game. He leads the NFL with a 50.7 average per punt. More importantly, he has placed 27 punts inside the 20-yard line.

This is the seventh selection for Seymour and his second with the Silver and Black. He has 6.0 sacks for the season and two season saving field goal blocks versus Kansas City last weekend.

Janikowski is going to Hawaii for the first-time. His is presently fifth in the AFC in scoring with 115 points, is the Raiders all-time leading scorer with 1,257 points and broke the team’s single-season scoring mark with 135 points last season when he was named a Pro Bowl alternate. The powerful left-footed kicker tied an NFL record with his 63-yard field goal just before halftime in the 2011 season opener at Denver.

ANALYSIS:

I stated earlier in the day that three Raiders would make the squad… and that’s what happened. Janikowski deserved his first nod; stellar all year even through an injury, as others around the league finally realized what Raider fans always knew…

That Janikowski is a very good kicker with a special leg.

Lechler is reaching elite status and in my book, is the greatest punter to ever lace ‘em up. Any other choice would have been insulting.

As for Seymour, you can argue that Tommy Kelly’s body of work was better this campaign, but as it happens often, the player with more fame and notoriety gets the call. Seymour was missing in action in a few games, was booted out of the Miami contest and was a penalty machine in other vital games. His veteran leadership is immeasurable and the team respects him highly. No doubt he will be a hall of famer, but at this juncture, Kelly may have been the right choice.

ALTERNATES

Per the Raiders: Safety Tyvon Branch, defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, running back Darren McFadden and fullback Marcel Reece have all been named Pro Bowl alternates for the January 29, 2012 game in Honolulu.

ANALYSIS:

McFadden was the league’s best rusher and one of the more dynamic players in the NFL prior to his injury. At this point, Raider fans could care less if he’s healthy to play in the exhibition, rather wanting him on the field this weekend and in the coming weeks.

Branch deserved consideration, but his numbers did not stack-up with others, nor will he replace Troy Polamalu’s popularity. His game has evolved and Branch has become one the AFC’s best strong safeties. But more game-changing plays and his defense not allowing so many yards and points, especially late in collapses, will help him get to Hawaii in the future.

Reece is a fine fullback who last year made noise with his pass catching abilities. This year, he’s become a far better blocker and continued to be a threat as a target in the Oakland offense. Vonta Leach is a far superior blocking fullback and a key aspect to the Ravens ground attack. Injuries slowed him a bit, if not, Reece’s numbers would’ve trumped his total from last year and he would’ve been in.

OVERALL:

There’s nothing to gripe about  here…

Kelly surely deserved more recognition, but in the Pro Bowl, players always get in a year or two late, or stick around for a year or two too long. Oakland’s total number of pro-bowlers is just about right. McFadden would’ve been a shoe-in with a full complement of games and others like Branch, Reece and possibly Stanford Routt will have their chance in the future.

TIDBIT

In 1991, place-kicker Jeff Jaeger and punter Jeff Gossett made the Pro-Bowl together as members of the Silver & Black.

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Shane Lechler, P

Possibly the greatest punter in league history. He’s already been chosen six times to the Pro Bowl, an eight time All-Pro and now holds the franchise record for longest punt, set earlier in the season. Lechler leads the NFL with a 50.7 average per punt. More importantly, he has placed 27 punts inside the 20-yard line. The clear choice to represent the AFC in another Pro Bowl, anyone else would just be insulting.

VERDICT: LOCK TO BE SELECTED

Sebastian Janikowski, PK

Oakland’s place-kicker has attempted a league high 9 kicks from 50-yards or beyond. He has connected on six of them and is 9-of-10 from 40-49-yards out. His long of 63-yards on opening night tied the league record. This has been Janikowski’s finest year, despite suffering through a hamstring injury during the middle of the season. I said it early in the campaign, this may be the best tandem in league history for one season. In 1991, Jeff Jaeger and Jeff Gossett made the Pro-Bowl together as members of the Silver & Black. It should happen again in 2011.

VERDICT: LOCK TO BE SELECTED

Richard Seymour, DT

He has 6.0 sacks and two season saving field goal blocks versus Kansas City last weekend. The veteran should get the nod based on his past credentials, but in my opinion…

VERDICT: WILL LIKELY BE SELECTED, BUT TOMMY KELLY DESERVES IT MORE BASED ON HIS BODY OF WORK IN 2011.

Tommy Kelly, DT

Only Geno Atkins of the Bengals has more sacks (8.0) than Kelly (7.5) at defensive tackle. Kelly has been a quiet but steady presence. The problem is, the Raiders run defense allows 135.0 yards per game and Seymour’s notoriety gets him votes that maybe he shouldn’t get.

VERDICT: Kelly will miss the Pro Bowl, but there’s no doubt he’s one of the conference’s best tackles.

Tyvon Branch, SS

He leads the team in total tackles, has a sack and an interception. Always fiery and very good in run support, Branch has improved his game greatly with his coverage skills.

VERDICT: Not likely to make his first Pro Bowl. Eric Weddle, Reggie Nelson, George Wilson, Jon McGraw, Mike Adams and others, due to numbers, may sway the voters. It doesn’t help that Oakland’s defense ranks poorly.

Stanford Routt, CB

Stanford Routt was paired up many times with Calvin Johnson.

Only two other cornerbacks in the AFC have more interceptions. According to Football Outsiders, only Darrelle Revis ranks better in cornerback success rate.

VERDICT: Again, hard to pick an Oakland defender based on their defense, but if one of them does get in, it will be Routt.

OTHER NOTABLES

Marcel Reece had a fine year in 2010, but this year he didn’t have the impact or the numbers to warrant a Pro Bowl bid over Vonta Leach, who has been very good for the Ravens. Jon Condo always has a shot to make it due to his long-snapping prowess and defending on kicks and punts, and Darren McFadden would have been a lock if not for his foot injury.

FINAL PREDICTION: Three Raiders should make the Pro Bowl: both kicking specialists and either Seymour or Routt. I would be very surprise if others made it.
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To everyone in the Raider Nation – enjoy a safe and prosperous Holiday Season with best wishes for the New Year. Since this is the season of giving, SBReport.net will hand out presents to a few Oakland Raiders:

Kevin Boss, TE

A few more plays in the weekly game plan: After back-to-back 500 yard-plus seasons with the New York Giants, the tight end, who inked a deal with $8 million in guarantees, has had his number of targets and touches go down dramatically in this wide-receiver friendly system that also have dangerous pass catchers out of the backfield.

Tyvon Branch, SS

Strong Pro Bowl consideration: Always known to be one of the more talented young strong safeties in the conference, Branch has put it all together in 2011.

Michael Bush, RB

A strong finish to the season: Darren McFadden’s injury showcased him to the league and now, he can go into the free-agent waters if he chooses to and land a nice deal. Rushers usually don’t get loads of money thrown at them, but he’s very young, does not have a lot of wear and tear and already knows how to share a backfield with another ball carrier. If Oakland does not place a tag on him, he’ll be a sought after player.

Bruce Campbell, OL

I’m sure he’ll love if Santa found a way to get him off the inactive list.

Jason Campbell, QB

A good home in 2012: Campbell was in and out of the line-up last year when Bruce Gradkowski was around. This year, the job was his and the team was rolling before his injury. Now, with Carson Palmer around and Terrelle Pryor looming, he may have to shop himself around in the off-seaosn. Campbell is a hard worker, very classy and a pros pro.

Aaron Curry, LB

More running backs and quarterbacks to hunt down: One of the better additions to this club, who looks to have found his niche in Silver & Black.

Jacoby Ford, WR/KR

Healthy set of legs: a quad injury, hamstring issues and a foot ailment have been some of things the second year talent had dealt with in 2011.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR

A bullhorn: DHB is not a diva and has worked hard to shed the image of being a one-trick pony. He’s become a more complete wide-receiver, but you’ll never here him say, “I told you so.”

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR

Gift Cards: For him to give to Hue Jackson and Carson Palmer – as they are the main reasons he has a roster spot.

Sebastian Janikowski, PK

Another 10-more attempts from 63+ yards out: The only kicker in league history that is expected to nail those lengthy field goals. He deserves to stand alone atop the record book for longest field goal made.

Shane Lechler, P

A tire swing for his backyard: He should practice his accuracy and sell himself as a passer for his final few years. Lecler’s spiral is tight, but…

Rolando McClain, LB

A new P.R. person: I’m sure whoever had that job this season had nightmares after McClain displayed his pearly whites while being handled by officers.

Darren McFadden, RB

Healing Pills and Wolverine like armor: Oakland would surely love to have him for the final weekend and a possible playoff run. Questions about his fragility will always be asked, so some sort of mutant-like armor would be very useful for the rest of his career.

Carson Palmer, QB

An entire off-season worth of workouts with the team: He’ll get that this time around and then we’ll be able to access the trade a tad better in the coming years.

Richard Seymour, DT

Manny Pacquiao’s hand-speed: Next time he clobbers someone, maybe he’ll do it fast enough where no one will see it. Then, he can avoid being booted from a game.

Jared Veldheer, LT

Suntan lotion: He’ll be going to many Pro-Bowls in his career.

Trevor Scott, DE

A compass: So he can find his way back. Since his injury in 2010, we haven’t seen the same explosiveness or fire.

Hue Jackson, Coach

A penalty box: Maybe he can put his players in it if they keep on accumulating flag after flag like it’s going out of style.

John Fassel, Special Teams Coach

A pencil and a pad: No one draws up fakes or other plays on special teams like he has the last few years. One of the more underrated unit coaches in the league.

Sanjay Lal, Wide Receiver coach

Acknowledgment: DHB, Ford, and Moore… he’s worked with a lot of young targets and they are coming along nicely.

Tommy Kelly, DT

Podium: No other Raider provides better quotes.

The Raider Nation

A playoff berth: Boy, do you guys really deserve it.
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If the playoffs were to begin today, the Oakland Raiders (7-6) would be on the outside looking in. After squandering a few chances to take a grip of the AFC West, the Silver & Black now will have to chase the Denver Broncos (8-5).

The surest way for Oakland to get would be to win their division. How can that happen? The Raiders need to win their last three games and hope for Denver to lose two of their final three; or fall to the Kansas City Chiefs. Hue Jackson’s bunch could also earn a wild-card berth, but many more things need to happen and a lot more help will be needed, since they will have to leapfrog the New York Jets and hope that others falter.

Here are a few reasons why they will or won’t make the playoffs:

Oakland will make the playoffs because Denver will falter.

Divine intervention may be part of the Broncos run to the top, but eventually you have to figure that teams will catch-up to Tim Tebow and the Denver offense.

They play the New England Patriots this week, then travel to Buffalo for a key road game on Christmas Eve. That could be the time where Oakland can sneak back to the top of the standings. After Todd Haley’s departure, Kansas City may pack it in on the final weekend at Denver. So with all the pressure now squarely on their shoulders and two tough weeks ahead, can the Broncos secure a playoff spot?

“Our mind-set now is to win the division,” said Denver defensive end Elvis Dumervil.

Oakland will not make the playoffs because of penalties, bad defense and squandered chances.

The Raiders lead the league with 130-penalties. That lack of discipline always comes back to haunt teams, especially in games where you can’t give opponents second chances. Oakland just can’t get out of their own way and they’ve had several contests that have been penalty-ridden.

The defense is allowing 160.2 rushing yards per game over the last four weeks. Down the stretch, teams will try to take advantage of that, and with the high-powered Detroit offense coming into town, and the Chargers tallying 289-yards on the ground the last two weeks, Chuck Bresnahan’s unit will have quite the battle ahead of them.

Oakland already had their chance to distance themselves from the rest. One defensive stop in the second half at Buffalo during week-two, and they could’ve been 3-0 to start the season. A three-game home stretch with a bye in the mix, versus the Browns, Broncos and Chiefs yielded just one-win. A lifeless effort in Miami, paired with a trouncing at Green Bay gave away their lead.

Oakland will make the playoffs because of their experience last season.

The Raiders went 6-0 against their rivals, but there was no solace in those achievements after losing key games down the stretch versus Miami, Jacksonville and Indianapolis, while the Chiefs put away the division before the final weekend.

“It’s just tough because all through training camp, we knew that we had a team that could win the (AFC) West, make the playoffs and compete,” Michael Huff stated last season. “I guess we’re not going to get the chance.”

“We can’t go undefeated in our division and let games like Arizona slip away. We got to have those,” said Tommy Kelly after their loss to the Colts in 2010.

This year, they suffered through tough losses and have fought back to be a streaky club. They’ll need a little help, but if those lessons learned last season served their purpose, Oakland’s veterans will remind the club what’s at stake and finish the season strong.

Oakland will make the playoffs because of their schedule.

Their last loss in Kansas City was in 2006. Oakland has not lost three-games in a row since the 2009 season and they dominated San Diego the first time around this year.

If they can’t come home and defend their field against the Lions, it will be a tough road and they’ll surely not be deserving of a post-season spot. So a big effort this weekend is expected, and you couldn’t have picked two better teams for them to try to beat than the two bottom clubs in the AFC West.

Oakland will make the playoffs because they will get healthy on offense.

Now they are conflicting reports regarding Darren McFadden’s foot injury, and whether he’ll be back at all this season. But Hue Jackson refuted that yesterday stating: “And it’s not a season-ender. I mean, that’s what we said – it’s a sprained foot, Lisfranc [injury], whatever you want to call it. Basically the same thing. I think Darren will be back before the season’s over. And when we get him back, we’ll get him back.”

Oakland has skirted around the McFadden issue and the ‘he’s coming along’ company line is drawing the ire of the fans. If he does come back, that can surely jolt an offense in need of some big-plays out of the backfield and that has been grounded the last three-weeks, averaging 78.6 per game after being atop the league the first half of the campaign.  Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford will also get back into the mix and diversify their passing attack and special teams.

Carson Palmer has yet to play a game with McFadden or a healthy offensive roster.

Oakland will not make the playoffs because of their injuries.

Maybe McFadden will never be 100% the rest of the year. And if he’s not, there’s no guarantee he’ll even perform anywhere near like he has when he’s been healthy the last two years.

Michael Bush could be hitting a wall, as he has surpassed his career marks in touches and the passing game may never be the same with Ford and Moore consistently out of the line-up and Palmer never having a full complement since he has taken over the starting spot.

Oakland will not make the playoffs because of their lack of leadership.

Richard Seymour was acquired for moments like these; a team ready to turn the corner, primed to take that extra step… needing a leader with past experience to show them the way.

Whether limited by injuries or not, Seymour has paled as a leader, getting flagged often in keys games in vital spots or not showing up at all, as evidenced by his shut-out in the stat-box versus Green Bay.

If he can’t lead by example on the field, who will? Especially on a defense that has been allowing far too many yards and points.

On offense, will Jackson be the spark? Or will one of his players seize the moment?

Oakland will not make the playoffs because of Tim Tebow and the Broncos.

Yeah, it may just be some greater power. Marion Barber’s blunders have to be explained somehow. Denver has a knack of wining, and that’s all that matters this late in the year. And at this point, it’s hard to bet against a winner.

Oakland will make the playoffs because of their O-Line & Special Teams.

For most of the season, the Silver & Black’s offensive line, especially the left side, has been the backbone of the offense. Jared Veldheer and rookie Stefen Wisniewski can get back to being a force and aide an attack that will severely need a powerful force up front. Whoever is in the backfield should benefit from the line getting back into top form.

Same with the passing attack, as Carson Palmer has shown he can be dangerous when given time and some healthy weapons.

Having the best kicking tandem in the NFL will help. But if Ford, Moore and coach John Fassel can be difference makers and game changers, this could be a an advantage that could push Oakland towards January football.

Oakland will not make the playoffs because they have peaked already.

You can make the case that their best performance of the season was against the Jets in week-three, and their grittiest was versus the Texans on the weekend of Al Davis’ passing. A three-game winning streak that was halted in Miami may have been their high point and the start of anything that could go bad… which at this point, has.

They could still snag wins in all of their remaining games and still not make the playoffs.

TWITTER FAN REACTION – Why will the Raiders make/miss the playoffs?

“after Patriots beat Broncos, their confidence is shaken and lose two in a row.” – MandoVod

“no leadership at all!!!! no attitude, mojo, swagger whatever you want to call it!!!!” – cesarz77

“Offense inability to sustain long drives screws the defense. Which will screw their chances of making the playoffs.” – Gtwitten

“lack of discipline, lack of consistency, and not taking care of the ball will result in no playoffs.” – corona_mike

“the lack of discipline and bad coaching on the D side will be the reason why they don’t make the playoffs this year SMH” – Raiderfan_559

“Raiders offense built for speed, get their speed back they r in playoffs, if not they won’t win another game this year” – MattDanforth

“Reason the raiders will make the playoffs because mcfadden will be rested when he plays the teams on a whole other level” – robbiedorris
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MIAMI – The Oakland Raiders (7-5) and the Denver Broncos (7-5) are now tied atop the AFC West standings.

Tim Tebow led another charge this weekend, propelling the Broncos to a 35-32 victory at Minnesota, while the Silver & Black were M.I.A in Miami.

If the playoffs were to begin today, Oakland would be on the outside looking in, leaving Denver with the divisional crown and a first round match-up against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Oakland will face the undefeated Packers next week, then finish with a trio of games versus the Lions, Chiefs and the Chargers.

Green Bay survived a scare yesterday and will look to bounce back at home. The Lions have hit a swoon, but will get Ndamukong Suh back for their game in Oakland. Oakland has played well in Kansas City in recent years, but there would be no better feeling for the rivals than to impede the Silver & Black’s chances for post-season play. San Diego has struggled all year, but they would also love to hurt Oakland, especially with their current losing streak against the Raiders.

Denver plays the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots at home, then travel to Buffalo before a home game against the Chiefs.

“Our mind-set now is to win the division,” said Denver defensive end Elvis Dumervil.

Tommy Kelly stated yesterday, “They getting the job done,” when asked about the Broncos.

If Oakland gets in, they would have earned it. Yes, they did have control of their own destiny, but the margin for error was very minimal. Tebow and the Broncos have all the momentum and they’ve taken a ‘me against the world’ mentality with the polarizing passer.

The division winner could be decided on the season’s final day. One team will head to the playoffs, the second-place finisher will be heading home.

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MIAMI — Oakland Raiders defensive lineman Richard Seymour was ejected during today’s loss in Miami. Seymour detailed his frustration and apologized to teammates, coaches and the Raider Nation for his actions. Tommy Kelly stated, “No comment,” when asked about Seymour’s interactions with Dolphins lineman Richie Incognito.

Richard Seymour Dolphins

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