Penalty Records
The Raiders set NFL single-season records for penalties and penalty yards by commiting eight infractions for 64 yards during a 38-26 loss to San Diego on Jan. 1. They finish the 2011 season with 163 penalties for 1,358 yards, surpassing the totals of 158 for 1,304 set by the 1998 Kansas City Chiefs. The record-setting penalty was a hold by Rock Cartwright on the opening kick of the second half.
The previous Raiders franchise record was 156 penalties in 1996. The previous franchise record for penalty yards was 1,276 in 2010. Oakland has led the league in penalties 17 times, one more than the Chicago Bears for the most in NFL history.
2012 Opponents
According to the NFL, the Raiders will play the following opponents during the 2012 season:
Home — Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Away — Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers.
Dates and times will be announced by the NFL prior to the 2012 draft. The first round of the 2012 draft is April 26.
Caught In A Draft
The draft pick the Cincinnati Bengals get from the Raiders in exchange for quarterback Carson Palmer in the 2012 draft will be No. 17 overall. The Bengals will receive Oakland’s second-round pick in 2013 as part of the Oct. 18 trade that sent Palmer to Oakland in exchange for a first round and second round draft choices. Barring trades, the Raiders enter the upcoming draft with picks in only the fifth and sixth rounds. The 2012 NFL draft is scheduled April 26-28.
Working Overtime
The Raiders' 16-13 win over host Kansas City on Dec. 24 was their third straight overtime victory. The previous two OT wins were a 23-20 triumph over the visiting Chiefs on Nov. 7, 2010 and a 16-13 triumph over the visiting New York Jets on Oct. 19 in 2008.
Before beating the Chiefs on Dec. 24, the last time the Raiders won on the road in overtime was a 30-24 victory at San Francisco on Oct. 8, 2000.
Kicking Greatness
Kicker Sebastian Janikowski and punter Shane Lechler set franchise records during the Raiders' 25-20 win over visiting Chicago on Nov. 27. Janikowski made six field goals to eclipse the previous record he shared with Jeff Jaeger. Lechler’s 80-yard punt surpassed Wayne Crow’s 61-yarder against the New York Titans in 1961.
Bush Breaks Out
Michael Bush's 242 scrimmage yards against San Diego on Nov. 10 are the most for the Raiders since 1963. He had a season-high 157 rushing yards on 30 carries and 85 receiving yards on three catches during Oakland's 24-17 win over the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium.
Bush's performance against the Chargers is the fourth highest total in Raiders history. Clem Daniels is No. 1 with 256 total yards (27 rushes for 200 yards, 1 catch for 56 yards) on Oct. 20, 1963; Daniels with 248 yards (13 rushes for 76 yards, 3 catches for 172 yards) on Sept. 15, 1963; and Art Powell with 247 total yards (0 rushes for 0 yards, 10 catches for 247 yards) on Dec. 22, 1963. Bo Jackson is No. 5 on the franchise list with 237 total yards against Seattle in 1987.
Raiders 31st in NFL Team Value
The Raiders rank 31st in NFL team value, according to Forbes.com. The Raiders are worth $761 million, according to the website.
The Dallas Cowboys are first at $1.85 billion followed by the Washington Redskins at $1.55 billion and New England Patriots at $1.4 billion. The New York Giants at $1.3 billion and the New York Jets at $1.22 billion round out the top five.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are 32nd at $725 million and the 49ers are 17th at $990 million. The NFL team value average is $1.036 billion, according to Forbes.
Please click for Forbes NFL team value rankings
The Cowboys also had the highest revenues, at $406 million, while the Raiders had the lowest revenues, at $217 million.
The Forbes survey reportedly is based on the 2010 season. Team values are through this year’s lockout, but total revenues and profits are not.
George Blanda Tribute
REMEMBER the AFL.com has a tribute to former Raiders quarterback and kicker George Blanda, who passed on Sept. 27, 2010. To view the Blanda tribute, please click here
AFL Lives On
The Raiders are among eight NFL franchises that began play in 1960 as original members of the American Football League.
Along with the Raiders, the other seven AFL originals are:
Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Boston Patriots (now New England Patriots), Houston Oilers (now Tennessee Titans), Dallas Texans (now Kansas City Chiefs) Chiefs, New York Titans (now New York Jets) and Los Angeles Chargers (now San Diego Chargers).
To read about the history of the AFL, please click here
Canton Hopefuls
Check out Crazy Canton Cuts, a blog promoting former AFL and NFL players who have merits to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
