Beyond that its clashes with the New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks as the Silver and Black prepare for the regular season.

We also knew just who Dennis Allen was going to preparing for in 2013 as the Raiders’ opponents were announced some time ago.  Dates with the usual suspects of AFC West foes in addition to a lap around the NFC East highlighted the regular season for Oakland. Not to mention matchups with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans.

But that is all window dressing. Today the NFL rolled out the official schedule. Start making you plans now, Raider Nation!

It’s that time of the year when pointless predictions are abundant. It’s also that time when hope for a better is just a draft pick away. More importantly its Raider football and this is our first fix.

Home – Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Boncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers.

Away – Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, Houston Texans, New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers.

Tune back into JBB tonight for a full analysis of the Raider’s schedule. Until then my personal favorite is the match up against Darius Heyward-Bey and the Colts. Comment which game your looking forward to watching!

Dec 30, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) carries the ball against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Raiders 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

1. Dallas at Oakland

Dec 23, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) in the huddle against the New Orleans Saints at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas was third in the league in passing last season (I see you earned that new extension Romo). So this game will be a nice test for the secondary. Freshly signed Tracy Porter will have a chance to showcase his abilities or lack thereof against a team who passed for close to 300 yards a game. Assuming Reggie McKenzie drafts a corner or two, it should prove to be a good chance to see how truly explosive NFL passers can be. I am also personally excited to see how Taiwan Jones plays in his first NFL season as a cornerback.

2.  Oakland at New Orleans

November 18, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) talks to his teammates in the huddle during the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints are friendlier with the end zone then Bill Clinton is with his secretaries. Third in the league in points and first in passing, the Saints will prove to be another challenge for this Raider defense. Other then watching the secondary, it will be interesting to see how the Raider’s generate a pass rush against future hall of famer Drew Brees. The former Charger may be the toughest foe to face all preseason long.

3.   Chicago at Oakland

Nov 25, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Michael Bush (29) celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Bush will have a chance to revisit Oakland with another great rushing team. Tenth in the league in rushing last year, the Bears will test what the Raiders have been historically bad at. Stopping Matt Forte and the former McFadden backup will show Raider Nation how the new front seven will fall apart or come together. Miles Burris will be a returning Raider to watch as he enters his second season in the league.

4.   Oakland at Seattle

Aug 11, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) (left) and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Flynn (15) (right) enter the field during warm ups prior to the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Tennessee Titans at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Tennessee 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Of course everybody knows what the storyline of this game will be. Matt Flynn will return to Seattle and face the number one defense from 2012. This game will test the entire team as Seattle’s offense was ranked number 9 in the league. Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson will test how the defense plays against mobile quarterbacks and versatile running backs. The silver and black’s offense must find the end zone in a great preseason finale that is sure to be a shootout.

I hate the preseason. It is a month of anticipation, getting just glimpses of your team. Every week makes you just hungrier to see the real thing. Not to mention saying prayers every night in hopes nobody ends up injured (an all to common problem in Oakland). The best part of the preseason is the end of the preseason. An end that is ushered in by an Autumn Wind.