The Las Vegas Raiders managed to start November right by getting a win and ending a four-game losing streak, taking down the New York Jets 38-33. Meanwhile, a running back change where Mike Washington Jr. became the lead back
and Ashton Jeanty was the third-down option in New York leads the discussion surrounding the Raiders in the Week 9 NFL Power Rankings.Sports Illustrated
17. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 22
I can’t be the only one who saw Klint Kubiak open the door just a smidge for Mike Washington Jr. and watched
as Washington kicked the thing open, right? It’s a different feel when the rookie out of Arkansas is in the backfield. — Conor Orr
Since I mentioned the stacked boxes (eight or more defenders) that each running back has faced in defense of Jeanty in the past, it’s only right that I circle back to it now that Washington has had a chance to be the RB1.
Per Next Gen Stats, Jeanty still has faced the fifth-highest rate of stacked boxes among qualifying running backs at 29.6%. However, that figure has come down since the beginning of the season, sitting at or below 30% every game since Week 4. To be fair, Las Vegas playing from behind in the majority of those contests is a big factor.
That being said, the Silver and Black were trailing in a good portion of the Jets game, and Washington faced a stacked box on 48.0% of his carries, tied for the fourth-highest rate in Week 8. According to Sumer Sports, Washington is averaging 2.9 ypc (27 carries for 78 yards) on such carries, while Jeanty is at 2.6 ypc (43 carries, 113 yards).
The biggest difference between the two is that the rookie has a slight advantage in rushing yards over expected (RYOE) per attempt: +0.4 to -0.3, according to NGS. That’s something to monitor as the former’s workload (presumptively) continues to increase over the coming weeks.
NFL.com
20. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 25
The aerial stylings of Kirk Cousins, Brock Bowers and the rest of the crew delivered again, ending the Raiders’ four-game losing skid in a wild, back-and-forth affair in MetLife Stadium. Like much of Las Vegas’ 2026 season, I certainly didn’t expect one development to emerge: rookie Mike Washington Jr. has taken over as the bell cow in Silver and Black, while Ashton Jeanty has become Klint Kubiak’s preferred third-down, pass-catching back — and is making a difference. He played a big part in the Raiders’ comeback win Sunday and at least adds a bit of dynamism to the unit. — Nick Shook
The irony of Jeanty getting demoted to the third-down role is that he’s been one of the best receiving backs in the league. He leads the position with 37 catches, 376 yards (82 more than anyone else) and three receiving TDs (tied with Bhayshul Tuten). That’s on top of ranking fifth (minimum 50 total touches) in yards per reception (10.16) and ninth in EPA per target (0.16), according to Sumer. For the record, of the eight running backs that have a higher EPA/target than Jeanty, only Chuba Hubbard has at least 20 targets (26), while Jeanty is sitting at 48 to bring down his average.
But, of course, the Raiders didn’t make the Boise State product the No. 6 pick in the draft to play a complementary role…
The Athletic
19. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 24
Reality check: Ashton Jeanty may not bounce back
It was a tough week for Jeanty. After he made disparaging comments about the Jets, ESPN commentator and former Jets head coach Rex Ryan called him “soft as Charmin.” On Sunday, the No. 6 pick in the 2025 draft was essentially benched for rookie Mike Washington. Jeanty finished with two carries for 9 yards, while Washington had 25 for 83. — Josh Kendall, Chad Graff
I have a hard time buying that Jeanty’s comments were the only reason why Kubiak reduced his role in what was a pivotal game for the team’s playoff hopes. But I also won’t deny that the remarks played a factor in the decision. If the 25-2 carry split/ratio continues against the San Francisco 49ers this weekend, that’s a strong sign Jeanty wasn’t just being punished or disciplined this past Sunday.
Bleacher Report
17. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 20
The Las Vegas Raiders were well-prepared for their second trip to the East Coast this season. They fell behind early, but Kirk Cousins showed why he still gives the Silver and Black the best chance to win, throwing for 247 yards and three touchdowns and scoring a touchdown on a quarterback sneak.
For now, head coach Klint Kubiak is trying to stay in the playoff picture, so expect Cousins to keep the starting job for the foreseeable future. Rookie first-rounder Fernando Mendoza’s time will come, but the .500 Raiders should keep riding Cousins’ arm for now. The Raiders are a flawed team with an inefficient ground attack, averaging three yards per carry, and a leaky defense, but Cousins and the passing game give them a chance to pull off victories. — Moe Moton
B/R starts to reverse course here, primarily focusing on last week’s theme with the “quarterback controversy” between Cousins and Mendoza. I mentioned this last week; beating the Jets likely keeps Cousins behind center for two more games since the Raiders will still be “in the hunt”. Additionally, there’s more momentum that Mendoza’s first start comes after the Week 13 bye.
ESPN
20. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 22
Best in-season trade acquisition ever: DB Mike Haynes in 1983
The Raiders bolstered their secondary by acquiring Haynes from the Patriots. The move was instrumental to winning a title that season, as he recorded an interception, two pass breakups and a tackle in Super Bowl XVIII against Washington. Haynes, who was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1997, went on to play seven seasons with the Silver and Black. In 87 games (72 starts), he totaled 18 interceptions. —Ryan McFadden
ESPN took a very different approach to their Power Ranking analysis, choosing to play on the upcoming trade deadline and focus on nostalgia. McFadden hit the nail right on the head because Haynes is considered one of the best in-season trade acquisitions in NFL history, not just the Raiders’ history.
Also, I can’t think of a better one off the top of my head because the organization has primarily been a seller, if anything, at the deadline during my lifetime. For what it’s worth, when I asked Google AI for the best Raiders in-season trade acquisition, Haynes came up first and Carson Palmer was second. Palmer is on the wrong end of two of the worst trades in franchise history, or at least the last 15 to 20 years.
The Raiders gave up first- and second-round picks to get the quarterback out of retirement and away from the Cincinnati Bengals in a desperation move after starter Jason Campbell suffered an injury while the team was 4-2 in 2011.
Palmer had a 4-5 record down the stretch, and the club missed the playoffs that year. The Silver and Black went 4-12 the following season and traded Palmer, along with a seventh-round pick, to the Arizona Cardinals for sixth- and seventh-round selections. He had a 38-21-1 record in Arizona, earning a second-team All-Pro bid and leading the Cardinals to the playoffs in 2015.
