2010 Oakland Raiders: Super Bowl Predictions and NFL Betting Odds

Since their 2002 Super Bowl season that ended with a loss to Tama Bay the Oakland Raiders have been a mere shell of an organization that has a motto of “Commitment to Excellence” plastered all over their stadium walls. In the past 5 years the Raiders have totaled 4, 2, 4, 5, and 5 win seasons. Last year’s 5-11 mark in NFL betting odds was countered by a break even mark of 8-8 against the spread with 9 games going under the total. The Raiders may be in a bad era but there is cause for the optimism that is coming out of Oakland for 2010.

The Raiders opened at online sportsbooks as an 82-1 longshot in Super Bowl predictions with an over/under win total of 6 OVER (-125). Tom Cable seemed as good as fired after the team lost 7 out of their first 9 games in NFL betting odds while allegations of abusing women in his life were plastered all over the media. There was also the scandal of an alleged fight between Cable and an assistant in which criminal charges were almost made. Somehow Cable survived, perhaps because nobody wanted to work for owner Al Davis. Cable has been a stabilizing influence for the team over the off season.

One cause for optimism is at quarterback where Jason Campbell has arrived to replace the famed draft bust JaMarcus Russell. Cable benched Russell after the bad start and the Raiders responded with improved play. Campbell never really took off as the Washington quarterback and a change of scenery may help. Oakland was 31st in total offense, 26th in total defense while ranking 30th in turnover ratio. All of those numbers can and must improve. Cable is optimistic that the Raiders are more unified and that the dead weight and bad attitudes were cleared out in the off season.