Oakland Raiders 2012-2013 Season Odds

The never-ending coaching carousel continues in Oakland this season, as the Raider begin the season with another new face at the helm. After the firing of Hue Jackson last January the Raiders hired Dennis Allen to be their third coach in the last three seasons. Maybe he'll be the one to finally end Oakland's nine year playoff drought.

Odds to win AFC West: +400
Regular Season Win total: 7 (Over -120)
Props: NFL Rushing Leader odds Darren McFadden 8/1

Last season the Raiders finished 8-8, which left them one win away from the postseason in the underachieving AFC West. Oakland was actually looking good at 7-4 heading into Week 13 last season, but a 1-4 record the rest of the way sealed their fate.

Oakland made a change of QB partway though the season a year ago and Carson Palmer begins his first full season as the Raiders signal caller. Palmer, who had sat out almost the entire first half while awaiting a trade from Cincinnati showed a lot of rust at times and finished the season with 2753 yards passing, 13 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 10 games.

The Raiders receiving corps boasts a ton of speed, led by Darrius Heyward-Bey and Denarius Moore an could be a strong unit if Palmer can improve. On the ground the Raiders need an injury-free season from Darren MacFadden now that backup running back Michael Bush has departed for Chicago. Oakland had the No. 7 rushing attack in the NFL last season, but Bush was more responsible for that than McFadden. A lingering foot injury limited McFadden to seven games, in which he rushed for 614 yards on 113 carries.

The Oakland defense was awful most of the time last season and ranked 29th in the league, surrendering 387.6 yards per game. It wasn't as if Oakland was only poor against the pass or the run either. They were dreadful against both, finishing 27th in the league against both the run and the pass. Those horrendous numbers resulted in the entire defensive coaching staff being let go and it will be up to new defensive coordinator Jason Tarver to pick up the pieces.

Odds to win AFC West at Bovada as of August 20
Denver Broncos +180
San Diego Chargers +200
Kansas City Chiefs +300
Oakland Raiders +400

2012 Oakland Raiders Schedule (All times Eastern)

01 Sep 10 SD @ OAK (O. co Coliseum 10:15pm ESPN)
02 Sep 16 OAK @ MIA (Dolphins Stadium 1:00pm CBS)
03 Sep 23 PIT @ OAK (O. co Coliseum 4:25pm CBS)
04 Sep 30 OAK @ DEN (Sports Authority Field at Mile High 4:05pm CBS)
05 BYE
06 Oct 14 OAK @ ATL (Georgia Dome 1:00pm CBS)
07 Oct 21 JAC @ OAK (O. co Coliseum 4:25pm CBS)
08 Oct 28 OAK @ KC (Arrowhead Stadium 4:05pm CBS)
09 Nov 4 TB @ OAK (O. co Coliseum 4:05pm FOX)
10 Nov 11 OAK @ BAL (M&T Bank Stadium 1:00pm CBS)
11 Nov 18 NO @ OAK (O. co Coliseum 4:05pm FOX)
12 Nov 25 OAK @ CIN (Paul Brown Stadium 1:00pm CBS)
13 Dec 2 CLE @ OAK (O. co Coliseum 4:25pm CBS)
14 Dec 6 DEN @ OAK (O. co Coliseum 8:20pm NFL)
15 Dec 16 KC @ OAK (O. co Coliseum 4:25pm CBS)
16 Dec 23 OAK @ CAR (Bank of American Field 1:00pm CBS)
17 Dec 30 OAK @ SD (Qualcomm Stadium 4:25pm CBS)

Oakland Raiders 2011-2012 Season Odds Preview

Despite going a perfect 6-0 against their AFC West rivals last season, the Raiders finished third in the division standings due to a 2-8 record outside the division. The 8-8 record last season marked the first time in eight years that Oakland won more than five games.

Because of last year’s success within the division and coming off their best season in eight years, there is plenty of optimism in Oakland. But some of that optimism is clouded by the loss of Nnamdi Asomugha, who left the Raiders to sign with Philadelphia over the offseason.

Odds to Win AFC West: +600
Regular Season Win Total: Over 6.5 (-115)
Props: Most Rushing Yards Odds Darren McFadden 20/1

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Oakland’s success last season came in large part due to the rushing attack, which finished second in the league with 155.9 rushing yards per game. Darren McFadden had a breakout year, rushing for 1,157 yards and seven touchdowns on just 223 carries, and Michael Bush also chipped in with 655 yards and eight touchdown on 158 carries. Both return this season, and the running game should be a force once again.

Jason Campbell was okay in his first season as a Raider, but the team hopes to see a lot more out of him this year. He’s surrounded by talented but unproven wideouts, and newcomer Kevin Boss replaces Zach Miller at tight end.

On defense, Oakland ranked 29th in the NFL against the run (133.6 yards per game), but was excellent against the pass, ranking second while giving up just 189.2 yards per game. The passing defense is sure to take a hit with the departure of Asomugha, who is one of the premier cornerbacks in the game.

Even with Asomugha gone, the Raiders seem to have some good pieces in place on defense, especially in the front seven. They also have a very strong 1-2 punch in McFadden and Bush that have proven they can carry the load. Oakland isn’t nearly as talented as San Diego on paper, but if the Chargers falter and leave the door open in the AFC West, the Raiders could stay in the hunt; but everything would have to fall just right.   

Week 1: vs. Oakland

AFC West Odds at Bodog as of August 31:
San Diego Chargers -250
Kansas City Chiefs +450
Oakland Raiders +600
Denver Broncos +1000

2011 Oakland Raiders Schedule (All times Eastern)

01 Sep 12 OAK @ DEN (Sports Authority Field at Mile High 10:15pm ESPN)
02 Sep 18 OAK @ BUF (Ralph Wilson Stadium 1:00pm CBS)
03 Sep 25 NYJ @ OAK (O.co Coliseum 4:05pm CBS)
04 Oct 02 NE @ OAK (O.co Coliseum 4:15pm CBS)
05 Oct 09 OAK @ HOU (Reliant Stadium 1:00pm CBS)
06 Oct 16 CLE @ OAK (O.co Coliseum 4:05pm CBS)
07 Oct 23 KC @ OAK (O.co Coliseum 4:05pm CBS)
08 Bye
09 Nov 06 DEN @ OAK (O.co Coliseum 4:05pm CBS)
10 Nov 10 OAK @ SD (Qualcomm Stadium 8:20pm NFLN)
11 Nov 20 OAK @ MIN (Mall of America Field 1:00pm CBS)
12 Nov 27 CHI @ OAK (O.co Coliseum 4:05pm FOX)
13 Dec 04 OAK @ MIA (Sun Life Stadium 1:00pm CBS)
14 Dec 11 OAK @ GB (Lambeau Field 1:00pm CBS)
15 Dec 18 DET @ OAK (O.co Coliseum 4:05pm FOX)
16 Dec 24 OAK @ KC (Arrowhead Stadium 1:00pm CBS)
17 Jan 01 SD @ OAK (O.co Coliseum 4:15pm CBS)