Alternating between losses and wins week-by-week is shown in fluctuating NFL power rankings
With the Las Vegas Raiders’ Week 4 win over the Cleveland Browns this past Sunday, the Raiders finished September by alternating between losses and wins week-by-week to begin the season. As one might imagine, that’s led to Las Vegas swinging back and forth in the NFL’s power rankings as the team is swinging up in this week’s roundup.
NFL.com
24. Las Vegas Raiders (2-2)
Last week: 28
I have a feeling the Raiders are going to keep us guessing all season. They made quite the statement by winning without Maxx Crosby, Davante Adams, Michael Mayer and others, and digging themselves out of a 10-0 hole against Cleveland early made it even more impressive. But do we put more stock into that triumph and the shocking win over the Ravens? Or do we harp on how feeble Las Vegas looked in losses to the Chargers and Panthers? Among the unexpected developments this week were the emergence of the run game against what is purported to be one of the league’s better defenses, as well as the Raiders’ defense absolutely clamping down after the Browns’ opening TD drive. This remains a tricky team to handicap, but you have to admire Antonio Pierce’s club responding in a big way after he called out some players for making “business decisions” the week prior.
As the analysis above points out, the Silver and Black have been hard to pin down so far this season as they feel like a team that’s still searching for its identity. They might have taken a step toward accomplishing that goal offensively last week though as the running game finally got going with 152 rushing yards. That was about the same amount as they had in the first three games combined.
Yahoo!
22. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 25
The Raiders’ next three games aren’t easy but they’re all winnable: at Broncos, vs. Steelers and at Rams. Las Vegas isn’t in bad shape with that stretch coming up. If the Raiders are a playoff contender, we’ll find out soon.
It’s definitely a stretch to consider the Raiders a playoff contender at this stage. But, as Yahoo points out, they have a chance to win the next three games and own a 5-2 record heading into their first matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs at the end of the month.
Bleacher Report
22. Las Vegas Raiders
Last Week 26
“Here we go again with the Raiders,” B/R’s Moe Moton said. “They alternated losses and wins through September and finally unlocked their ground attack last week by using the speed of their wide receivers. If the Raiders can sustain their success on the ground, they could field a more consistent offense in October. However, offensive coordinator Luke Getsy still has to earn the benefit of the doubt.
“By the way, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that wideout Davante Adams is ‘week-to-week’ with a hamstring injury,” he went on. “With a key injury on the offensive side of the ball and Gardner Minshew’s declining accuracy, it’s hard to move this team up the rankings even after a much-needed win over the 1-3 Browns.”
Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images
To Moton’s point, Pro Football Focus had Minshew’s adjusted completion percentage at 66.7 percent after pass-catchers accounted for two drops, which is his lowest of the season and makes it three weeks in a row that the figure has dropped. That has to improve as the passing attack had its worst statistical performance of the campaign. Adams getting healthy quickly will be key to maintaining the team’s success moving forward.
The Athletic
18. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 24
There’s really only one rookie making much impact in Las Vegas, but Brock Bowers has been enough. Even after a two-catch, 19-yard game Sunday, Bowers is second among NFL tight ends in receiving yards (216). He’s producing a first down on 45.8 percent of his targets. He also got his first carry on Sunday. He took it 12 yards, and he showed in college that he can be an impact player in the run game.
The Athletic continues to be one of the most optimistic outlets when it comes to the Silver and Black as last Sunday’s win pushed the team closer to the middle of the pack in the site’s power rankings. They took a different approach to the analysis, focusing on each team’s rookies. Bowers had his worst game of the season against Cleveland, recording his first NFL drop, but that doesn’t take away from the fact he’s had a strong start overall. Rookie right tackle DJ Glaze made his first start on Sunday and had a tough outing with a 49.3 PFF grade.
ESPN
21. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 22
Biggest issue on defense: Getting home
Sure, backup edge rusher Chris Snowden’s last-minute takedown of quarterback Deshaun Watson closed out the Raiders’ white-knuckle win over the Browns on Sunday. But it was just Las Vegas’ eighth sack of the season, tied for the fifth-fewest number of sacks in the NFL through four games. To be fair, starting defensive end Malcolm Koonce was lost for the year with a knee injury before the season opener, and Maxx Crosby missed the Browns game with a left high ankle sprain. But others need to step up. — Paul Gutierrez
Saying the Raiders are “tied for the fifth-fewest sacks” is slightly misleading. While it’s technically true, they are also tied for 21st in sacks as five teams have eight and one more would push them to 18th in the league. While the pass rush hasn’t been great, in my opinion, their biggest issue defensively is tackling as PFF has credited the team’s defenders with 49 misses so far.