Oakland Raiders: 5 Critical Games Of 2012

July 28, 2012 2:05 pm

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It is no secret that the Oakland Raiders have some question marks heading into the 2012 season.

A “W” on the schedule following at least the majority of these five games will be crucial if the Raiders' hope to make the postseason.

5. September 30^th@Denver Broncos - Peyton Manning will take the field for the first time against the Raiders with home-field advantage. The Raiders will face him again in Oakland later in the season, but this game will set the tone.

The Raiders will be coming off a tough contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers the week before and will have to avoid an emotional letdown.

The team has some defensive issues, but the key to this game will be the pass rush. If the defensive line can sack or even seriously rattle Manning; who’s probably one major hit away from the end of his career; it may be enough to hand the game to Carson Palmer and the rest of the offense.

The Broncos' secondary had issues last year due to the youth of their squad. This year they’ve brought in veteran free agents Tracy Porter at corner and Mike Adams at safety to shore up the defense. It will be up to Palmer and receivers Denarius Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey to carve up this cadre, who may not be accustomed to working together by this point.

4. September 23^rdPittsburgh Steelers - The Steelers once again have a vaunted defense which some are calling the best in the league. They’ve brought in new shutdown corners Keenan Lewis and Cortez Allen, and Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu is still stalking the secondary. The combination will give the Raiders' offense headaches.

A productive performance from Darren McFadden could ease some of the pain. The Steelers' offense hinges once again on Ben Roethlisberger. Rashard Mendenhall is questionable due to recent surgery and looks to be inactive at the start of the season.

It’s a good bet that even if he’s playing by the time this game rolls around, he won’t be at 100 percent. Therefore, it’s up to Roethlisberger, whose mobility is what gives the Steelers victories. If the Raiders' secondary can gobble up Pittsburgh’s young but talented receivers and the rest of the defense can keep Roethlisberger in the pocket, the Raiders will have a chance.