Del Rio has shot at a strong start

The Raiders’ fifth head coach in six years will have a chance to get out of the starting gate fast. The 2015 NFL schedule was released Tuesday, and Jack Del Rio had to be happy.

The Raiders are one of five teams in the league to open with two home games. ( Buffalo, Chicago, Jacksonville and Washington are the others.) It marks the first time since 1969 that Oakland opens with two games at home.

And it’s a far cry from last year, when Dennis Allen and the Raiders had the toughest schedule, and opening slate, in the NFL. Oakland opened in New Jersey against the Jets, came home for one game and then played in New England and London in Weeks 3 and 4.

Del Rio, a Hayward High alum, will get to stay close to home for most of two months, as the Raiders leave California only twice in their first seven games.

The Raiders open against the Bengals and former head coach Hue Jackson, now the offensive coordinator in Cincinnati. After hosting the Ravens, Oakland has back- to- back games in Cleveland and Chicago.

The Raiders, thanks to their 11- 37 record the last three years, are on primetime television only the mandated one time, a Christmas Eve home game against the Chargers. The Thursday night game could be the last time the Raiders play in Oakland, as their lease is up and they’re pursuing a new stadium in Carson ( Los Angeles County).

The toughest stretch comes in November, with three road games in four weeks: Nov. 8 at Pittsburgh, Nov. 22 at Detroit and Nov. 29 at Tennessee.

Del Rio gets two chances to go against his old Denver defense; he was the coordinator the past three years. The Raiders, 0- 6 against Peyton Manning, host the Broncos in Week 5, before their bye week, then play in Colorado on Dec. 13.