The NFL season starts when the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers host the New Orleans Saints Thursday. Both teams have high aspirations  founded on their established coaching staffs, smart front offices and superstar quarterbacks.

In other words, they share nothing in common with the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers.

This weekend, the two Bay Area franchises will begin their respective uphill battles to mediocrity. The 49ers host a perplexing Seattle Seahawks squad (Tarvaris Jackson? Why?) on Sunday afternoon, and the Raiders will be in Denver to face the Broncos on Monday Night Football (what did we ever do to you, ESPN?).

Expectations are low for these strangely similar teams, but not all is hopeless. Here is what has to happen for each team to be able to call this season a success.

1. Stability from the quarterback position.

This is No. 1 for a reason. If Alex Smith and Jason Campbell (both former 2005 first-round picks) can’t fake being decent NFL quarterbacks, then the rest of this list won’t matter. Both teams boast good defenses, but not 2000 Ravens good. The quarterbacks are going to have to score points.

Neither player has been anything resembling “lucky” during their first six years in the league, except for the fact they’re still being given a chance to start. Both players have been caught in a revolving door of head coaches and offensive coordinators, making it impossible to settle into an offensive scheme. But excuses can only extend a career so far, and neither is likely to get more chances following this season, so they have to make the most of it.

2. Tempered expectations, patience and fan rationality. (Or, the “never going to happen” factor.)

Fans need to play their part as well, and not boo at the first sign of quarterback – or team – weakness. The current incarnations of the Raiders and 49ers are a few rebuilding years away from being potential threats in their respective conferences. Respectability is the goal for the present. That, and not letting fans get shot in the parking lot.

Bottom line: If either of these teams go 9-7, it should be considered a success.

3. Take advantage of opportunity

This applies to every team in the West divisions. At least the AFC West has one legitimate title contender in the San Diego Chargers. The NFC West is, yet again, a feeble foursome of sub-par clubs with the possible exception of the up-and-coming St. Louis Rams. (If you’re a 49ers fan, be afraid of Sam Bradford, be very afraid.)

Because of that, a seven-win team could very well win the NFC West again.

It will likely take at least 10 wins for the Raiders to overtake the Chargers, meaning their playoff hopes are slightly slimmer than those of the 49ers. Sorry Oakland, but there’s a better chance of Michael Vick starring in the “Marley & Me” sequel than the wild card coming out of the AFC West.

4. If you’re going to lose, be the best at it.

A 7-9 record and no playoff appearance does nothing for these franchises but give their fans false hopes of next year being their year. A 3-13 record and Andrew Luck could do wonders for the long-term success of your favorite team.

I’m not one to promote tanking, but neither team needs to be in a “win now” mode. Both have hired new head coaches, meaning job security won’t be a factor this season. So if it becomes clear by mid-season that the playoffs aren’t within reach, both coaches should ease up on the gas pedal and use the remainder of the season to evaluate and develop younger players.

And if it just happens to translate into a little luck, then so be it. Because they’ll need it.

Dante Geoffrey can be reached at [email protected].