Oakland Raiders

Lore & Background

The narrative of this connection centers on the return of key figures from Houshmandzadeh's most productive years with the Bengals. After playing as a wide receiver for Cincinnati, Seattle, and Baltimore, he joined the Raiders late in the 2011 season. The team specifically sought to leverage his experience alongside Palmer, who had established himself as an elite passer during their time together in Ohio. Hue Jackson, who returned as head coach, brought familiarity with Houshmandzadeh's playing style from their shared past.

In Their Own Story

On December 4, 2011, the reunion bore fruit against the Miami Dolphins at Oakland. In a game that ended in a 34–14 rout by Miami, Houshmandzadeh caught his first touchdown as an Raider. It was a 40-yard pass thrown by Carson Palmer, marking the only catch of the day for the veteran receiver. Despite the lopsided score and limited production, the play symbolized the successful reconnection between the quarterback and receiver who had once formed one of the NFL's most exciting tandems.

Reader's Guide

Houshmandzadeh's tenure with the Raiders was brief but statistically defined by his final NFL numbers. He finished the 2011 season with exactly 11 catches for 146 yards, averaging a receiving yardage of 13.3 per catch. His sole touchdown came on that December 4th pass from Palmer. This performance capped off a career that began in Cincinnati in 2001 and included stops in Seattle and Baltimore. Following the conclusion of the 2011 campaign, Houshmandzadeh retired from professional football.

Did You Know?

• Houshmandzadeh's only catch as a Raider was a 40-yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer.
• He finished his final NFL season with exactly 11 catches for 146 yards and one touchdown.
• The signing reunited him with head coach Hue Jackson, a former Bengals assistant.
• Houshmandzadeh joined the Raiders on November 1, 2011, after being released by the Baltimore Ravens in 2010.