Originally slated to play in Minnesota, the AFL's eighth original franchise was forced to look for another home after a deal with Minnesota fell through. After briefly flirting with Atlanta, it was decided to put the new team in the Bay Area.

The Oakland Raiders, led by Coach Eddie Erdelatz played their first game ever at San Francisco's Kezar Stadium on September 11th, where they lost to the Houston Oilers by a score of 37-22. Two weeks later, in a rematch at Houston, the Raiders got their first win by a score of 14-13.

The Raiders would finish their first season in financial peril with a 6-8 record.