USC assistant head coach Steve Sarkisian, considered to be the front runner for the position, withdrew his name from consideration on January 19.
[4] Kiffin's first staffing hire was former Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, who accepted the same position in Oakland on January 28.
After a scoreless first quarter, Oakland trailed early as Lions QB Jon Kitna completed a 13-yard TD pass to WR Roy Williams.
In the third quarter, the Lions continued with their early lead as Kitna completed a 16-yard TD pass to rookie WR Calvin Johnson.
In the fourth quarter, Detroit responded with Hanson kicking a 46-yard field goal, while Oakland took the lead with McCown completing a 7-yard TD pass to FB Justin Griffith.
In the first quarter, Oakland trailed early as Broncos QB Jay Cutler completed a 9-yard TD pass to WR Brandon Stokley for the only score of the period.
In the third quarter, Oakland began to come back as QB Josh McCown (who was a gametime decision heading into the game) completed a 46-yard TD pass to WR Jerry Porter for the only score of the period.
In the fourth quarter, the Raiders took the lead as DT Gerard Warren sacked Cutler in the end zone for a safety, while LB Thomas Howard returned an interception 44 yards for a touchdown (followed by a successful two-point conversion pass from McCown to WR Ronald Curry).
Janikowski's second try hit off the very tip of the left goal post and was no good, giving Denver a chance to win the game.
With the loss, not only did the Raiders fall to 0–2, but they had lost 11-straight games (currently the NFL's longest losing streak) dating back to Week 9 of the 2006 season.
at McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, California Though the Raiders had lost eleven straight games dating back to Week 9 of the 2006 season, they were favored to beat the Cleveland Browns.
After halftime, Derek Anderson threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Braylon Edwards with an extra point, and the Browns lead 17–16 with 9 minutes and 16 seconds left in the 3rd quarter.
However, as the ball for Dawson's game-winning field goal was snapped, Raiders coach Lane Kiffin called a timeout, imitating the strategy used by the Denver Broncos last week.
In the fourth quarter, Oakland tried to rally as QB Daunte Culpepper completed a 1-yard TD pass to rookie TE Zach Miller.
In the third quarter, the Raiders got on the board with QB Daunte Culpepper completing a 21-yard TD pass to WR Ronald Curry for the only score of the period.
at McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, California Trying to snap a three-game skid, the Raiders went home for a Week 9 intraconference duel with the Houston Texans.
In the second quarter, things continued to get worse the Raiders as Houston increased its lead with RB Ron Dayne getting a 14-yard TD run, while kicker Kris Brown nailed a 40-yard field goal.
at McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, California Trying to snap a four-game losing skid, the Raiders stayed at home for a Week 10 interconference duel with the defending NFC champions, the Chicago Bears.
In the first quarter, Oakland trailed early as Vikings RB Chester Taylor managed to get a 10-yard TD run, along with a safety (due to Culpepper committing a penalty while in his own endzone).
at McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, California Coming off their divisional road win over the Chiefs, the Raiders went home for a Week 13 AFC West rematch with the Denver Broncos.
In the first quarter, Oakland stormed ahead early as QB Josh McCown completed a 15-yard TD pass to WR Tim Dwight.
In the second quarter, the Raiders regained the lead with McCown completing a 13-yard TD pass to TE Zach Miller for the only score of the period.
In the third quarter, Oakland increased its lead with kicker Sebastian Janikowski getting a 38-yard field goal, while McCown completed a 13-yard TD pass to WR Jerry Porter.
Quarterback Brett Favre throws an eight-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Greg Jennings with Mason Crosby extra point.
In fourth quarter, Brett Favre throws a forty six-yard touchdown pass to tight end Donald Lee with Crosby kicking an extra point.
at McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, California Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Packers, the Raiders went home for a Week 15 intraconference duel with the defending Super Bowl champions, the Indianapolis Colts.
In the first quarter, Oakland trailed early as Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri managed to get a 22-yard field goal, while CB T.J. Rushing returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdown.
In the second quarter, the Raiders got on the board with QB Josh McCown completing a 3-yard TD pass to WR Ronald Curry for the only score of the period.
The game was punctuated by an ugly incident with 21 seconds left in the first half, where Warren Sapp argued with officials over a penalty the team wanted to accept.
Russell still had some difficulty with turnovers as he threw an interception early in the game and fumbled the ball which was recovered in the end zone by San Diego for a touchdown.