Running Back Jalen Richard and Wide Receiver Amari Cooper
The Oakland Raiders (12-4) closed out the 2016 season having accomplished a great deal, posting the franchise's first 12-win season since 2000 and earning a postseason berth for the first time since 2002. Head Coach Jack Del Rio directed a team that finished second in the AFC West, advancing to the Wild Card Round before falling to the Houston Texans. The Raiders had seven players selected to the Pro Bowl and two players earn spots on the Associated Press All-Pro Team. Oakland also tied for the NFL lead with a plus 16 turnover differential and finished 11th in the NFL with a plus 31 point differential.
On offense, the unit ranked near the top of the league, finishing sixth in the NFL in yards per game (373.3), sixth in rushing yards per game (120.1) and seventh in points per game (26.0). The team committed just 14 turnovers on the year, a mark that ranked fourth fewest in the NFL. The offensive line was stout all year, ranking first in the league at protecting the quarterback in 2016, allowing just 18 sacks on the year. The offensive unit saw five players selected to the Pro Bowl, as QB Derek Carr, WR Amari Cooper, C Rodney Hudson, G/T Kelechi Osemele and T Donald Penn were all named to annual all-star game. Osemele also earned his first career All-Pro selection. Carr led the Raiders' passing attack before going down in Week 16 with an injury, throwing for 3,937 yards on 357-of-560 passing with 28 touchdowns and just six interceptions for a 96.7 quarterback rating. Cooper and WR Michael Crabtree led the receiving corps, as Crabtree paced the team with 89 receptions (1,003 yards) and Cooper led the way with 1,153 yards (83 receptions). RB Latavius Murray led the rushing attack for the second straight year, totaling 788 yards on 195 carries with 12 touchdowns.
The defense strengthened as the season progressed, with the unit ranking 11th in the NFL in total yards allowed per game from Week 7 to the end of the year. The team also ranked second in the NFL in takeaways, forcing 30 turnovers on the year. Defensive Player of the Year candidate DE Khalil Mack earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection and newcomer S Reggie Nelson also received a Pro Bowl nod. Mack was also named to the AP All-Pro team for the second consecutive season. Free agent additions LB Bruce Irvin and CB Sean Smith provided strong play for the Raiders' D, as Irvin finished second on the team with seven sacks and Smith tied for second on the team in interceptions. Rookie S Karl Joseph stepped into a starting role early in the season and provided solid play throughout, posting 76 tackles and one interception.
The special teams unit was led by P Marquette King and K Sebastian Janikowski, who both turned in solid campaigns. King ranked tied for fifth in the NFL in punts placed inside the opponents' 20-yard line, second in gross punting (48.6 avg.) and eighth in net average (41.4). Janikowski connected on 29-of-35 field goal attempts and led the team with 124 points.
"There's been a great deal accomplished, there's no question about that. Is it enough? No. I want more. We want more. As an organization, our goals are higher. So, that's not going to change. We're not going to pretend that it wasn't really good. You win 12 games, that's hard to do in this league." - Head Coach Jack Del Rio at his season-ending press conference.
2017 Opponents
| Home Opponents ('16 record) | Away Opponents ('16 record) |
| Denver Broncos (9-7) | Denver Broncos (9-7) |
| Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)^ | Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)^ |
| San Diego Chargers (5-11) | San Diego Chargers (5-11) |
| New England Patriots (14-2) ^ | Buffalo Bills (7-9) |
| New York Jets (5-11) | Miami Dolphins (10-6) |
| Baltimore Ravens (8-8) | Tennessee Titans (9-7) |
| Dallas Cowboys (13-3)^ | Philadelphia Eagles (7-9) |
| New York Giants (11-5) | Washington Redskins (8-7-1) |
*Indicates 2016 playoff team
*^Indicates 2016 division winner
*
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Passing Yards
Derek Carr - 3,937
Completion Percentage (Min. 100 Attempts)
Derek Carr - 63.8
Passing Touchdowns
Derek Carr - 28
Carries
Latavius Murray - 195
DeAndré Washington - 467
Jalen Richard - 83
Derek Carr - 39
Jamize Olawale - 17
Rushing Yards
Latavius Murray - 788
Jalen Richard - 491
DeAndré Washington - 467
Derek Carr - 70
Jamize Olawale - 47
Rushing Touchdowns
Latavius Murray - 12
Jamize Olawale - 2
DeAndré Washington - 2
Jalen Richard - 1
Receptions
Michael Crabtree - 89
Amari Cooper - 83
Seth Roberts - 38
Latavius Murray - 33
Clive Walford - 33
Receiving Yards
Amari Cooper - 1,153
Michael Crabtree - 1,003
Seth Roberts - 397
Clive Walford - 359
Latavius Murray - 264
Receiving Touchdowns
Michael Crabtree - 8
Amari Cooper - 5
Seth Roberts - 5
Andre Holmes - 3
Clive Walford - 3
Jalen Richard - 2
Sacks
Khalil Mack - 11.0
Bruce Irvin - 7.0
Denico Autry - 2.5
Stacy McGee - 2.5
James Cowser - 1.0
Shilique Calhoun - 0.5
Dan Williams - 0.5
Interceptions
Reggie Nelson - 5
Nate Allen - 2
David Amerson - 2
Sean Smith - 2
TJ Carrie - 1
Karl Joseph - 1
Khalil Mack - 1
Malcolm Smith - 1
Brynden Trawick - 1
