The 2011 season was the Oakland Raiders' 42nd in the National Football League (NFL) and their 52nd overall. It was also the final season under the ownership of Al Davis, who died on October 8, 2011. The Raiders matched their 8–8 record from 2010, finishing in a three-way tie with the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers for the AFC West division title, but lost tiebreakers to both teams, and missed the playoffs for the ninth 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. With their eighth win on December 24 over the Chiefs, the Raiders secured their second consecutive non-losing season. Although TV blackouts had been a persistent issue over the years, all eight regular season home games were sold out for the first time since moving from Los Angeles to Oakland in 1995. The team set the record for being the most penalized team in NFL history, breaking the record previously held by the 1998 Kansas City Chiefs. This season also marked the first consecutive non-losing season for the Raiders since 1998–2002. Oakland went 5–3 on the road, but only 3–5 at home, which ultimately cost them a trip to the postseason.
Offseason The Raiders lost guard Robert Gallery and tight end Zach Miller to the Seattle Seahawks and cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha to the Philadelphia Eagles. Bruce Gradkowski, who had been with the team since 2009, left to go to Cincinnati. After the 2010 season, Daniel Loper and Jay Alford decided they had played their final NFL games.
Draft
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).
Staff Oakland Raiders 2011 staff Front office
Owner(s) – Mark and Carol Davis (majority owners) Chief executive – Amy Trask Senior executive – John Herrera
Head coaches Head coach – Hue Jackson
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator / quarterbacks – Al Saunders Running backs – Kelly Skipper Wide receivers – Sanjay Lal Tight ends – Adam Henry Offensive line – Bob Wylie Assistant offensive line – Steve Wisniewski Offensive assistant – Eric Sanders Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Chuck Bresnahan Defensive line – Mike Waufle Linebackers – Greg Biekert Assistant linebackers – Ricky Hunley Cornerbacks – Rod Woodson Safeties – Kevin Ross Defensive assistant – Mike Clark
Special teams coaches Special teams coordinator – John Fassel Special teams assistant – Bob Ligashesky
Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – Brad Roll Strength and conditioning assistant – Chris DiSanto Strength and conditioning assistant – Chris Pearson
Final roster
Preseason
Schedule
The Raiders' preseason schedule was announced on April 12, 2011. Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue NFL.comrecap 1 August 11 Arizona Cardinals L 18–24 0–1 O.co Coliseum Recap 2 August 20 at San Francisco 49ers L 3–17 0–2 Candlestick Park Recap 3 August 28 New Orleans Saints L 20–40 0–3 O.co Coliseum Recap 4 September 2 at Seattle Seahawks L 3–20 0–4 CenturyLink Field Recap
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 officially discontinued all future preseason games between the two teams.
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue NFL.comrecap 1 September 12 at Denver Broncos W 23–20 1–0 Sports Authority Field at Mile High Recap 2 September 18 at Buffalo Bills L 35–38 1–1 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap 3 September 25 New York Jets W 34–24 2–1 O.co Coliseum Recap 4 October 2 New England Patriots L 19–31 2–2 O.co Coliseum Recap 5 October 9 at Houston Texans W 25–20 3–2 Reliant Stadium Recap 6 October 16 Cleveland Browns W 24–17 4–2 O.co Coliseum Recap 7 October 23 Kansas City Chiefs L 0–28 4–3 O.co Coliseum Recap 8 Bye 9 November 6 Denver Broncos L 24–38 4–4 O.co Coliseum Recap 10 November 10 at San Diego Chargers W 24–17 5–4 Qualcomm Stadium Recap 11 November 20 at Minnesota Vikings W 27–21 6–4 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Recap 12 November 27 Chicago Bears W 25–20 7–4 O.co Coliseum Recap 13 December 4 at Miami Dolphins L 14–34 7–5 Sun Life Stadium Recap 14 December 11 at Green Bay Packers L 16–46 7–6 Lambeau Field Recap 15 December 18 Detroit Lions L 27–28 7–7 O.co Coliseum Recap 16 December 24 at Kansas City Chiefs W 16–13 (OT) 8–7 Arrowhead Stadium Recap 17 January 1 San Diego Chargers L 26–38 8–8 O.co Coliseum Recap
Game summaries
Week 1
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 an NFL record tying 63-yard field goal from kicker Sebastian Janikowski. Janikowski's leg helped put the Raiders up 16–3 at halftime.
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 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
A day after owner Al Davis died, the Raiders fought back from an early deficit and defensive back Michael Huff made a pick in the end zone in the waning seconds for an emotional victory. On that final play, the Raiders only had ten men on the field on defense, and Huff emotionally stated that he believed the team's late owner, Al Davis, "had his hand on that ball."
Week 6
Week 7
With the loss, the Raiders went into their bye week at 4–3. Also, the Raiders were shut out at home for the first time since Week 1 of the 2006 season when the team was shut out by the Chargers.
Week 9
Week 10
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 11
Week 12
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.
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
Gamebook
Week 16
Week 17
With the loss, the Raiders' season ended at 8–8 and their three-game winning streak over the Chargers was snapped. The loss also allowed the Broncos to win the AFC West.
Standings
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.https://www.nfl.com/news/al-davis-hall-of-fame-owner-of-raiders-dies-at-age-82-09000d5d822ed9f9 Al Davis, Hall of Fame owner of Raiders, passes at age 82
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.
Firing of Hue Jackson On January 10, 2012, the Raiders announced that head coach Hue Jackson would be fired.
Notes and references