Oakland Raiders: How to Be Contenders in 2012

The 2011 season was full of somberness for the Oakland Raiders. They started off the season strong, going 7-4 and looking like they were going to be AFC West champs. The entire league and all of its analysts started calling the Raiders the team of the AFC West to beat, and with five games left the Raiders might break the 10 win season, their first since 2002 when they went to the Superbowl.

Unfortunately for Raider Nation, they lost four of the last five games and missed the playoffs again. The Raiders have been making the right moves during the offseason and are focused on getting into the playoffs for 2012. Here are five steps the Raiders must take in order to be contenders in the 2012 season.

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