2011 Oakland Raiders season

The 2011 Oakland Raiders season is the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League and the 52nd overall. 2011 also marks the final season under the ownership of Al Davis, who died on October 8, 2011. The Raiders hope to improve on their 8–8 record from 2010, in which the team achieved its first non-losing season since 2002, but missed the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season. On January 4, 2011, it was announced that head coach Tom Cable's contract would not be extended. Cable would be replaced by Hue Jackson, the team's former offensive coordinator. The Raiders traded their first round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft (17th overall) to the New England Patriots.

2011 draft board
The Raiders did not have a first-round selection. In September 2009, the team acquired DT Richard Seymour from the New England Patriots in exchange for its 2011 first-round selection (#17 overall).

Schedule
The Raiders' preseason schedule was announced on April 12, 2011.


 * Indicates that the game was blacked out locally due to low ticket sales.

Candlestick park incident
The preseason game against the 49ers was marked by brawls in the stands and a major beating in a restroom at Candlestick Park. The NFL has officially discontinued all future preseason games between the two teams.

Schedule
LEGEND:
 * undefined The game was simulcast locally on KPIX-TV.
 * undefined The game was simulcast locally on KBCW.
 * Indicates that the game time is subject to change as a result of flexible scheduling.
 * Indicates that the game was blacked out locally due to low ticket sales.

Week 1: at Denver Broncos
The Raiders began their 2011 campaign at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, for a Week 1 AFC West duel with the Denver Broncos in the second game of Monday Night Football's doubleheader. Oakland trailed early in the first quarter as Broncos kicker Matt Prater got a 28-yard field goal. The Raiders answered in the second quarter as quarterback Jason Campbell found fullback Marcel Reece on a 3-yard touchdown pass, followed by a 37-yard, a 21-yard, and a 63-yard field goal from kicker Sebastian Janikowski.

Denver answered in the third quarter as wide receiver Eric Decker returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdown, followed by Prater getting a 30-yard field goal. Oakland struck back in the fourth quarter with Campbell's 1-yard touchdown. The Broncos tried to rally with quarterback Kyle Orton completing a 9-yard touchdown pass to running back Lance Ball, yet the Raiders' offense was able to run out the clock.

With the win, not only did Oakland begin their season at 1-0, but they also snapped their 8-straight opening day losing streak.

Week 5: at Houston Texans
A day after owner Al Davis passed away, the Raiders fought back from an early deficit and made a pick in the end zone in the waning seconds for an emotional victory.

Week 10: at San Diego Chargers
Trying to snap a two-game losing streak, the Raiders flew to Qualcomm Stadium for a Week 10 AFC West duel with the San Diego Chargers on Thursday night. Oakland trailed early in the first quarter as Chargers kicker Nick Novak got a 20-yard field goal, yet the Raiders answered with a 2-yard touchdown run from running back Michael Bush. Oakland added onto their lead in the second quarter with a 23-yard field goal from kicker Sebastian Janikowski, followed by quarterback Carson Palmer finding rookie wide receiver Denarius Moore on a 33-yard touchdown pass.

San Diego began the third quarter with quarterback Philip Rivers completing a 30-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Vincent Brown, yet the Raiders struck back with Palmer hooking up with Moore again on a 26-yard touchdown pass. Afterwards, the Chargers closed out the quarter with Rivers completing a 7-yard touchdown pass to fullback Jacob Hester. From there, Oakland's defense held on to preserve the victory.

With the win, the Raiders improved to 5-4, and took the lead of the AFC West.

Week 12: vs. Chicago Bears
Sebastian Janikowski kicked a team-record six field goals and the Raiders took advantage of three interceptions from Chicago's Caleb Hanie to beat the Bears 25-20 Sunday.

Carson Palmer threw for 301 yards and Michael Bush iced the game with a touchdown run in the fourth quarter to lead the Raiders (7-4) to their third straight win against a Bears team missing starting quarterback Jay Cutler.

Death of owner Al Davis
On October 8, one day before the team's Week 5 game at the Houston Texans, owner Al Davis died in his Oakland, California home at the age of 82. The Raiders won the game 25-20.

Acquisition of Carson Palmer
On October 18, 2011, the Raiders acquired quarterback Carson Palmer from the Cincinnati Bengals for a 2012 first round draft pick and a conditional 2013 first round pick based on incentives. The trade was made two days after Jason Campbell suffered a potential season ending collarbone injury in Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns.