Oakland Raiders 2012 Schedule: Toughest Stretches on Next Year's Slate

The Oakland Raiders have been mired in 8-8 mediocrity for two years in a row now and the team enters the 2012 season with expectations of making the playoffs. Anything less will be a disappointment and would jeopardize Carson Palmer's future of with the team.

The time is now to take advantage of a questionable AFC West. The following stretches of the season are going to ultimately make or break the ’12 campaign.

(Click here for Raiders Full 2012 Schedule)

Weeks 3-4 (vs. Pittsburgh, at Denver)

A home game against a playoff contender followed by a road game against the reigning division champs; this is a vital stretch to ensure they don’t go into the Week 5 bye at 1-3.

With the intense rivalry of Raiders-Broncos, will the Oakland defense have a bounty out for Peyton Manning? It’s going to be a huge early season statement game in the AFC West. Fans should have a strong idea where their team stands after these two.

Weeks 7-9 (vs. Jacksonville, at Kansas City, vs. Tampa Bay)

Bachman Turner Overdrive’s song “Takin’ Care of Business” should be played on repeat during this stretch of the season in the Oakland locker room.

The Raiders need a clean sweep during this period to ensure they enter the stretch run of the season in decent shape. The three teams finished with a combined 16-32 record in 2011 and all are expected to struggle once again this season.

The schedule gets a lot harder after this stretch and going 3-for-3 is mandatory.

Week’s 11-12 (vs. New Orleans, at Cincinnati)

Avoiding the Mercedes-Benz Superdome is huge for the Raiders, and they should be able to take advantage of the Saints' outdoor woes.

But will Carson Palmer be able to focus on this game with his old team looming?

There is no doubt his departure from the Bengals after seven years as the starter was ugly and awkward. Now he will be returning to the scene of the crime. Cincinnati rebounded in a hurry last year and beat out the Raiders for the final spot in the AFC Wild Card race. They will be even better this season.

The crowd is going to be incredibly hostile and you can bet the members of the Bengals that were around during the Palmer era are going to take this one personal. How will Palmer react?

Honestly, I’m shocked this game isn’t on primetime. This one means more to Palmer than any other game on the schedule.  

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