Oakland Raiders: Complete Schedule Breakdown for the 2011 Season

The Raiders finished a decent 8-8 last season and are looking to take the next step this year. The major question mark heading into the season is, will cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha return to the silver and black?

A lot of critics have the Raiders challenging the San Diego Chargers for the AFC West crown. Although, they do have a very tough schedule this year. Despite playing several playoff teams and the Super Bowl champions, the Raiders are definitely out to prove to the world they're for real.

Here is your complete 2011 Oakland Raiders season schedule preview.

Sept. 12 at Denver

Raiders lead the series (59-42-2)

Old school rivalry on Monday Night Football; what a way to start the season off.

Tough place to play, but if the Raiders expect to take the next step and make the playoffs they have to win this game.

Sept. 18 at Buffalo

Raiders lead the series (19-18)

Back-to-back road games for the Raiders, but another great chance at a victory.

Bills are one of the worst teams at stopping the run. This game will feature Darren McFadden all day long as the Raiders get off to a 2-0 start.

Sept. 25 vs. New York Jets

Raiders lead the series (22-17-2)

First home game of the season and this will really show just how far away the Raiders are from being contenders.

Last time these two teams met, Oakland lost 38-0—hopefully for the Raider nation this outcome is different.

October 2 vs. New England

New England leads the series (16-15-1)

Back-to-back tough games against AFC East opponents; good news is they are both at home.

Darren McFadden should get a ton of carries as the Raiders look to control the time of possession and try their best to keep Tom Brady off the field. If they are successful, Oakland may have a chance to steal this game in a tough environment.

October 9 at Houston

Texans led the series (5-1)

The Texans beat the Raiders last season with a score of 31-24. This should be another good game as both teams are on the rise.

Both are teams that many have making the playoffs this season, the loser may look back at this game at the end of the year.

October 16 vs. Cleveland

Raiders lead the series (12-8)

After three very tough games in a row, the Raiders come home and take on the Cleveland Browns.

If the Raiders want to be taken seriously they have to take advantage of teams like this. Especially with a schedule that does not have too many easy games on it.

October 23 vs. Kansas City

Chiefs lead the series (54-48-2)

This game should be very interesting to watch.

Not only is it a divisional game, but both teams love to run the ball. Oakland has the power running game against the Chiefs and their flashy, quick running back.

Whichever side wins the battle should win this game.

November 6 vs. Denver

Raiders lead the series (59-42-2)

The Raiders swept the season series last year and, with the mess in Denver right now, they have a chance to do it again.

A home game against a team in transition and coming off a bye week, I like the Raiders' chances in this game.

November 10 at San Diego

Raiders lead the series (57-44-2)

Playing the Chargers is always a difficult task, but playing them in San Diego on a short week is never a good thing.

This game could get ugly quickly, especially if Nnamdi Asomugha is on another team.

November 20 at Minnesota

Raiders lead the series (9-4)

Good news about a short trip to San Diego is they have extra time to prepare for the Minnesota Vikings. Although Oakland shouldn't need it, it's still nice to have.

The Raiders should take advantage of a rookie quarterback and cruise to victory.

November 27 vs. Chicago

Raiders are tied in the series at 6-6

The Raiders have lost three of the last four games against the Bears.

With a gunslinger in Jay Cutler, the Raiders should find ways to pressure him and force a couple interceptions. If they do, they have this game in the bag.

December 4 at Miami

Raiders lead the series (19-14-1)

The Dolphins crushed the Raiders last season and is a team that is one of the best at stopping the run. If Darren McFadden can't get going, it could be a long day for this Oakland team.

December 11 at Green Bay

Packers lead the series (6-5)

Back-to-back road games and this time they head to cold Lambeau Field to take on the defending champion Green Bay Packers.

The Raiders haven't beat the Packers since 1987, losing the last five matchups between the two teams. Can't be one dimensional against this team. This could be a freezing, dark day for the city of Oakland. 

December 18 vs. Detroit

Raiders lead the series (6-4)

This should be a fun game to watch as two up-and-coming teams battle it out in Oakland. Will Matthew Stafford still be around by the time this game arrives?

Regardless, I'd give the Raiders the nod with the home field advantage in this game.

December 24 at Kansas City

Chiefs lead the series (54-48-2)

The two teams making some noise at the same time in the AFC West. This game could have huge playoff implications if they both live up to their season expectations.

Traveling to Kansas City is no easy task, but if you want to take the next step, you have to take care of business.

January 1 vs. San Diego

Raiders lead the series (57-44-2)

This is another game that could have huge playoff implications. This is also a game where the Raiders could miss Nnamdi Asomugha to cover the huge, athletic receivers of the Chargers.

Darren McFadden and Michael Bush are going to have to control the clock and keep Phillip Rivers on the sidelines as much as possible.