... seem to have all the earmarks of a team on the rise. As unlikely as it sounds, the Raiders could be a dark horse winner of the AFC West and return to the playoffs after a seven-year absence.

At the very least, Oakland’s defense seems to have come together—recording a preseason-high 12 sacks through two games. In turn, this has created quite a buzz around the NFL, no doubt giving Raiders’ fans a reason to feel confident about their team’s chances in 2010.

Sports Illustrated’s Don Banks wrote about his winners and losers  halfway through the preseason. Banks describes the Raiders as a club that has finally turned the corner.

“Against the Bears on Saturday night, the Ra...

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