NFL Betting – 5 Reasons Why the Oakland Raiders Will Surprise in 2010

1 – Jason Campbell

While some sports fans will concern themselves with the realm of NBA betting during the playoffs, many football fans are already focusing on the upcoming NFL season, a sports betting paradise. One of the more intriguing teams to watch in 2010 will be the Oakland Raiders. Don’t laugh – this season could very well be different from recent campaigns in which this once-proud franchise has thoroughly embarrassed itself.

A primary source of hope in the San Francisco Bay Area is the new quarterback. Jason Campbell isn’t the best thing since sliced bread, but after a stormy and difficult tenure in the nation’s capital as the quarterback of the Washington Redskins, Campbell will welcome the change of scenery. More specifically, he’ll relish the move to the West Coast and its decidedly more relaxed media environment. Campbell needs an environment where he won’t have to over-think the game, and Oakland is one such place.

2 – Rolando McClain

Yes, the Raiders have long been a dysfunctional franchise, but they finally made a quality selection by tabbing Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain with the No. 8 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. McClain is a smart defensive captain who is adept at putting his teammates in the proper position before a snap. McClain makes excellent reads, and he then follows through by making his fair share of plays as a run supporter. McClain helped Alabama win the 2009 national championship of college football, and he’ll bring a winner’s mentality to the Raider camp. By bringing both leadership and on-field excellence to the table, McClain will appreciably upgrade not just the quality of Oakland’s defense, but also a locker room that is in desperate search of adult guidance.

3 – The Denver Broncos

The ranks of online betting gurus have to be wondering just how bad the Denver Broncos will be in 2010. The Kansas City Chiefs figure to struggle mightily in 2010, but now the Broncos might join Kansas City near the bottom of the AFC West. The first-round pick of Tim Tebow made little sense for a club that needs a high-grade passing game. The Broncos needed to get rid of troublesome receiver Brandon Marshall, but they need better quarterback play to make their offense sing. It’s hard to see how Tebow will be able to satisfy that demand. Second-year coach Josh McDaniels is not winning admirers in Denver after seeing his team blow a 6-0 start last season. His personnel moves leave a lot to be desired, meaning that Oakland has a legitimate chance at finishing second in the West (behind San Diego).  

4 – JaMarcus Russell is gone

 NFL betting experts have to be disappointed. As long as Russell was under center, the Raiders were an easy team to bet against. Now that this all-time draft bust has been cut loose, Oakland might be able to move forward as an organization and get rid of the very negative vibe that filled the offensive huddle over the past few years. Jettisoning the former No. 1 overall draft pick (in 2007) is definitely a case of addition by subtraction.

5 – Al Davis admitted mistakes

 The decision to select Rolando McClain, a Northbet.com Favorite, was very impressive. The move to let go of JaMarcus Russell was even more important. All in all, longtime Raider leader Al Davis – still the icon of the franchise after more than 40 years – has admitted that he erred in a number of ways. This simple but powerful reality will send a powerful message to coaches and players alike. Everyone was waiting for changes to happen in Oakland. Now that those changes have in fact occurred, you might see a much more motivated Silver and Black attack in 2010.