The Las Vegas Raiders haven’t won a game since taking down the New England Patriots in the season opener. Last Sunday’s blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts means the Raiders haven’t had a ‘W’ in four
weeks, and it feels like the team has more question marks right now than it did at the beginning of the campaign. As a result, the Week 6 NFL Power Rankings have Las Vegas as cellar dwellers across the board.
Bleacher Report
29. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 25
There’s no reason to sugarcoat it: The Las Vegas Raiders are not good. Geno Smith can’t stop turning the ball over, Chip Kelly refuses to lean on his first-round running back, and the offensive line struggled significantly. Earlier in the year, though, Las Vegas’ defensive front at least brought some pride to the field. On Sunday, even that group looked listless. If Pete Carroll and his staff actually have a plan for building this team, it must not involve much winning in 2025. — Kristopher Knox
Knox touches on part of the problem with his last sentence. Carroll talked about how he wants to win now and has a long track record of 10-win seasons all offseason. But the roster needed work, and the organization operated as if the team could win while rebuilding. The Raiders let the majority of their free agents walk, replaced them with bargain bin options and then drafted several project prospects, all while trading for a quarterback who wasn’t a long-term solution. Now, it feels like the new regime is facing the reality that a full rebuild is necessary.
ESPN
29. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 25
Fantasy surprise: TE Brock Bowers
Bowers was meant to be the focal point of the Raiders’ passing game, starting the season at No. 1 in ESPN Fantasy’s preseason projections. Instead, a knee injury has prevented him from playing at full strength, and that has reflected in his numbers. After averaging 20.9 yards per catch in the season opener, Bowers averaged 8.7 yards per catch and less than 10 fantasy points per game from Weeks 2 through 4. He did not play against the Colts, and coach Pete Carroll said the All-Pro tight end is day-to-day. — Ryan McFadden
Adding to McFadden’s analysis, Bowers ranked second among tight ends with 3.96 yards per route run in Week 1, according to Pro Football Focus. After suffering the knee injury, he’s down to 1.36 and 21st in Weeks 2 through 4. The offense clearly needs its No. 1 option in the passing game to get back to 100 percent.
The Athletic
29. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 28
Who have they beaten? Patriots
Optimism reigned after their season-opening win in New England, but four losses in a row have followed. In those four games, the Raiders rank 30th in EPA per play offensively and 26th defensively. They’ve been bad all around. — Chad Graff, Josh Kendall
Every year, we get several reminders of how quickly things can change in the NFL, and the Patriots are this season’s early example. In a month, they’ve gone from losing to one of the worst teams in the league, the Raiders, to beating a Super Bowl contender in a road game on primetime, the Bills. If only the Silver and Black could figure out how to get that magic!
Sports Illustrated
28. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 26
I think this is a Geno Smith problem and not a Chip Kelly problem. But I also think this becomes a Chip Kelly problem if he cannot figure out a way to minimize the Smith problem. Smith has one of the lowest catchable deep ball rates in the NFL—but how much of that is a reflection of the fact that this team still really needs pass catching weapons (and looked good going deep to Ashton Jeanty last week). — Conor Orr
Anytime a team is this bad, everyone in the building shares at least part of the blame. So, I think it’s fair to say Smith, Kelly and the lack of talented pass-catchers (especially without a healthy Bowers) are all factors in the team’s offensive issues. However, I will also say that there are plenty of opportunities where guys are open but aren’t getting the ball, meaning the distribution of blame shouldn’t be even…
NFL.com
31. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 28
Things are getting dark around this team, with Geno Smith struggling again, throwing his eighth and ninth INTs of the season. There was a blocked punt, several missed blocks and tackles, and Las Vegas was down 40-3 in the third quarter against the Colts. Even with four starters out on Sunday, that’s rough. Ultimately, the Raiders again looked unprepared in what was their fourth loss, with the Week 1 vibes long gone. With two more turnovers and an 0-for-4 showing in the red zone, Smith’s starting job should be on the line. I’ve been a big supporter of his over the years, but they can’t keep trotting him out without improved results. — Eric Edholm
Like Edholm does here, I’ll put my hand up and say I was too optimistic about what Smith would bring to this offense. Las Vegas is getting the worst end of his weakness—he’s on pace for a career-high in interceptions—while getting little to no benefits from his strengths, as noted in the uncatchable deep ball rate mentioned by Sports Illustrated. I’m not saying Kenny Pickett is the answer, but Carroll can’t keep seeing Smith play like this and continue to roll with Smith if the head coach is as serious about building a winning culture as he says he is.
