Oakland Raiders: What to Expect From Them in 2010 (Game-by-Game Analysis)

Dancing in the streets was the scene in Oakland California as the Raiders finally unloaded JaMarcus [cough] Russell none too soon for Jason Campbell.

We know that has to be a three to four game improvement right there.

Without the point spreads involved I run about 80 percent correct most of the time, so this should be a simple breakdown of the Raiders season that will be fairly accurate.

In handicapping football games correctly, I have no favorites.

I spent four weeks on Week One of the NFL 2010 season and remember Oakland plays Tennessee on the road the first game.

After Tennessee's horrendous start last season at 0-6, I somehow doubt if Jeff Fisher will allow that to happen again.

That, coupled with new faces in Oakland, the travel, and having to defend one of the premier fantasy running backs in football, Oakland starts off with a loss.

In fact. this would be a strong pick in Week One, even perhaps surrendering 7-10 points against the spread.

In week two, we find the Raiders at home playing one of the worst teams in football last season, if not the worst.

Lets give Raider Nation the benefit of the doubt, and hope you can beat a rookie Sam Bradford and Stephen Jackson.

Record thus far? 1-1.

Game three for the Raiders will be a toss-up as they take on the Arizona Cardinals on the road.

The pass defense will be tested against a big time receiver, but I think they might surprise a few folks on this one. Matt Leinart does not strike fear into the heart of any defense I know.

They will play the run well, and grab a win on the road. This game is a toss-up prediction wise, but I will most likely pick the Raiders when the time comes. But look for Oakland to be 2-1.

Week four brings Houston to the Bay Area. This is a dangerous team, especially after their slow starts every season. By now, Houston could be 1-3 and really angry.

This was a pretty good team last season that just missed the playoffs. If Oakland got by Arizona, most likely they will drop this one.

Just as easily, they could lose to Arizona, then beat Houston. In all probability the Raiders are 2-2 four games into the season.

Week five will bring a loss to the Raiders at the hands of the dreaded San Diego Chargers, and send them into a small nosedive. losing a division opener. Overall record? 2-3 now.

Week six the nosedive continues as the San Francisco 49ers win the battle of the Bay, and climb towards a division crown. The Raiders will now be 2-4.

Week seven finds the Raiders with their back against the wall, as they take on division rival Denver in Mile High.

The Denver Broncos are so lost at this point in the season, people are calling for season ticket refunds, as the Raiders add to the misery by winning this one. Oakland is now 3-4.

In week eight they have Seattle at home in Oakland, and should be settled in enough to get a victory at home and be at 500 ball at 4-4. Seattle isn't going to beat a lot of teams, same as last year.

Week nine, and still without a break, the Chiefs come to Alameda. Raiders 24, Chiefs 21. What else is new? Oakland improves to 5-4.

In Week Ten of the NFL season, they rested, and all was good, as the Raiders have a winning record with nine games in.

Week 11 takes the team all the way to Pittsburgh, where they lose this one. Hey, so far, I've been more than fair. Giving them a win here is not realistic thinking, meaning they will soon be 5-5.

Week 12: The Dolphins swim into Oakland with Brandon Marshall and company, and this team may be fighting it out with the Jets and Patriots for the AFC East.

Miami should be improved over last season a bit with that big wide receiver threat, taking the heat off of what were number two, three, and four pass catchers anyway.

Miami just did not have a number one at wide receiver, Now they do, plus that crazy good ground attack. Check-mate Dolphins, dropping Oakland to 5-6.

Week 13 is crucial as the Raiders take on San Diego on the road. San Diego sweeps the Raiders for the two games series in 2010. Sorry guys, but you can't expect to win the division this season.

Now at 5-7 they have to think about the next season, and give some players a chance to step up. Week 14, however, is a road trip against Jacksonville, which could be tough.

Going back a game, lets say the Raiders do pull off the upset against San Diego.

They still lose to the Jags, but they are at 6-7. It is unrealistic to say the Raiders will win on the road in back to back weeks against pretty good teams.

The Raiders now have Denver in Week 15, but they are the ones sweeping now, as the Broncos go down again, twice in the same season to the hated rivals. Overall, Oakland is now 7-7.

They lose to the maybe Super Bowl bound Colts again, and drop to 7-8.

The final week of the season will be for an 8-8 season, which they will pull off  by  beating the Chiefs again to finish the 2010 campaign.

There you have it in a nutshell. With my accuracy, and a two game swing at the very most. The Raiders could manage to go 10-6 which is highly unlikely.

They could also go 6-10 which is not much improvement. This is unlikely also.

The best projection for the Raiders will be between 7-9 and 9-7 for this season. This makes my number even more relevant as 8-8 looks to be a perfect season projection.

I think you can bet the eight win total on the Raiders and make some good dough in Vegas this season. Anything over seven wins is the over, I do believe.

Thanks for sharing and have a great NFL 2010 season.

Thomas [NFL Mikee] Moreland