Carson Palmer throws a pass against the San Diego Chargers. (Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE)

Of all the quarterbacks in the AFC West, Carson Palmer is probably the least recognizable. Prior to last season, he had been sitting on his couch before the Oakland Raiders needed a major spot filled when Jason Campbell was lost six weeks into the season due to injury.

Palmer has shown some promise in the past. There’s a reason he was taken No.1 in the 2003 draft. During his NFL career, he was named to the Pro Bowl team twice. During his eight year career, he has 25,447 passing yards, 167 touchdowns, and 116 interceptions.

Palmer played in the American Century Championship last weekend, and told Alex Flanagan of NBC Sports that he thinks the Raiders are a playoff team this year.

“I think we’re a playoff team. We’ve got a lot of work to do, but we’ve been at it in OTAs and minicamps and now training camp’s around the corner.  Guys have been studying hard and working on the new system.  And it’s ‘go’ time. There is no cushion or a year to get kind of momentum going.  We’re ready to come in to camp and go out and win as many games as we can.” – Carson Palmer (Pro Football Talk) 

In order for the Raiders to be contenders, they will have to rely heavily on Darren McFadden rather than Palmer and the team’s young receivers. Then again, all 32 NFL teams think they’re playoff bound right now. It’s July.

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Eric Decker (87) scores on a 90-yard punt return against the Oakland Raiders in the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High (Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE)

Memorial weekend has come and gone, so that means we are one step closer to the start of the 2012 football season.  To help fill the days of the long, hot summer ahead of us, I am continuing my look back at some of the games the Broncos have had against teams they will face in 2012.  Week Four of the 2012 season marks the Broncos’ first divisional battle, and that finds the Oakland Raiders visiting Denver.  The Raiders will be led by ex-Bronco Defensive Coordinator, Dennis Allen, in his first head coaching role.  Even though the September 30th matchup is the Broncos’ first game against an AFC West team, the Raiders are opening their 2012 campaign against the San Diego Chargers.  In 2011, the Raiders also opened their season with a game against a division foe – the Denver Broncos.  Continue reading for a brief overview of that season opener.

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McFadden is ranked 8th in rushing average with 87.7 yards per game. He was lost early in the first quarter in week 7 when the Raiders played Kansas City.

Without McFadden, the team will rely on Michael Bush. Against the Chiefs, Bush had 99 rushing yards on 17carries.

The Broncos are prepared for Bush who is a down-the-field runner that will pound the middle.

Bush has a career average of 4.4 yards per carry and 17 career touchdowns.

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