It has been eight years since the Oakland Raiders last appeared in the Super Bowl.
That was a long time ago, and a lot has happened since. A lot of losing.
Since 2003, the Raiders are 29-83 and became the first team in NFL history with seven consecutive seasons of at least 11 losses.
Is there a reflection of the Vince Lombardi Trophy they have won three times at the top of their Black Hole? Probably not yet, but there could be soon.
The Raiders open their season Sunday against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field in Nashville.
Optimism for the Raiders may have to start in Week 2, though. Oakland has lost seven straight season openers, including three on the road. It hasn’t won a road opener since a 27-24 victory at Kansas City in 2001.
The Raiders' 48-21 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII capped their last winning season. What followed were records of 4-12, 5-11, 4-12, 2-14, 4-12, 5-11 and 5-11.
The Raiders are excited about quarterback Jason Campbell, who was acquired via trade from the Washington Redskins during the offseason. After the disastrous JaMarcus Russell era, it appears the Raiders have a steady quarterback who could help them return to their Commitment to Excellence days.
Campbell, a first-round draft pick in 2005, has completed 61.2 percent of his career passes with 55 touchdowns, 38 interceptions and an 82.3 passer rating.
Campbell's top receiving weapon will likely be tight end Zach Miller, who had 66 catches in 2009.
The Raiders hope to get more production from wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey. The seventh overall pick in the 2009 draft had nine catches in 11 games during his rookie season.
But with most NFL teams, a strong running game offers the quickest path to success. Can Darren McFadden prove he is capable to lead the Raiders?
McFadden, the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft, has 856 career yards while missing parts of both seasons with various injuries.
The Titans began the 2009 season 0-6. After a bye in Week 7, Tennessee won eight of its final 10 games, and remarkably had a chance to make the playoffs entering the final week.
With home games against Oakland and the Pittsburgh Steelers to start this season, another poor start seems unlikely.
What is likely, though, is the Titans have the best offensive player in the NFL – Chris Johnson. He rushed for 2,006 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2009, becoming the sixth player in NFL history to gain 2,000 or more yards. Johnson also set an NFL record with 2,509 yards from scrimmage.
Johnson could have a big day against a Raiders defense which yielded 155.5 rushing yards per game in 2009.
Vince Young led the Titans to their 8-2 finish in 2009 after taking over at quarterback for Kerry Collins. Young’s performance earned him a Pro Bowl Berth.
The Titans’ top five receivers return from 2009, led by Johnson (50 catches, 503 yards, 2 TDs). Nate Washington was the top wideout with 47 receptions.
Tennessee won the last meeting 13-9 at Nashville in 2007.