There were plenty of reasons to doubt the Las Vegas Raiders heading into the 2026 NFL season. However, sitting as one of five undefeated teams through September, the Raiders are impossible to ignore at this stage! As a result, the Silver and Black have shot up the Week 4 NFL Power Rankings.
The Athletic
12. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 22
QB confidence: Good — for now
Kirk Cousins is tied for the league lead in touchdown passes with nine, and Las Vegas is unbeaten. What’s not to love? The schedule, for starters.
After playing three teams with a combined one win, the Raiders have the Chiefs, Patriots, Bills and Rams up next. Cousins is 38, in Year 15 of his career and knows he was signed as a placeholder for No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza. If Cousins or his team falls off this pace, fans will start clamoring for the new guy. — Josh Kendall, Chad Graff
It’s kind of funny that the Raiders’ win against the 1-2 Saints isn’t viewed as impressive, but the 1-2 Patriots and 1-2 Rams are viewed as a gantlet in the schedule. Don’t get me wrong, I agree that New England and Los Angeles are better than their early record indicates and are going to be tough matchups. But those two teams also have blowout losses on their resumes, while the only other blemish for New Orleans is a one-point loss in overtime to Detroit.
As for Cousins, the analysis isn’t wrong; he is a placeholder for Mendoza. But give Captain Kirk credit. He’s playing well and silencing any calls for the rookie right now.
ESPN
14. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 20
Fantasy surprise: RB Ashton Jeanty
Jeanty got off to a strong start, recording 32.7 fantasy points in a Week 1 win over the Dolphins. But he has been inconsistent since then, averaging fewer than 3 yards per carry and 11.3 fantasy points in the past two games. Jeanty was expected to make a significant jump in Year 2 under new coach Klint Kubiak. His production should pick up if he gets more opportunities in the passing game, though Brock Bowers just returned for the Raiders from a meniscus trim. — Ryan McFadden
For some context, Jeanty had 54 yards after contact to record just 48 rushing yards (meaning he was getting hit at or behind the line of scrimmage frequently) against the Chargers, per Pro Football Focus. So, I can blame that game on the offensive line. However, he had just 35 yards after contact to record 56 rushing yards last week, shifting the blame to the running back.
The 2025 first-round pick didn’t have the same explosiveness and lateral movement skills that he normally shows, and the broadcast mentioned Jeanty had to get his ankle re-taped in New Orleans. That combination leads me to believe he reaggravated the sprained ankle he suffered at the end of training camp. Regardless, I think we should expect to see more touches for Mike Washington Jr., as Klint Kubiak said during a presser this week.
NFL.com
10. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 22
Sure, I might be overreacting to the Raiders’ hot start, but how can I pass on the rare opportunity to push the Silver and Black into the top 10? Klint Kubiak has inspired this previously downtrodden franchise, and Las Vegas is playing a wildly entertaining brand of football built on contributions from both established (Kirk Cousins, Brock Bowers) and unknown players (fifth-round rookie Hezekiah Masses has three interceptions this season!). — Nick Shook
Whatever credit Kubiak has received for the hot start/quick turnaround isn’t enough. How many coaches have come in and said they were going to change the Raiders’ culture, only to fall flat on their faces and get the same terrible results? Kubiak may not say much, but that’s because he does his talking on the field!
Bleacher Report
11. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 20
At 3-0, the Las Vegas Raiders have already matched their entire win total from last season. It’s amazing how different a team can look thanks to organizational competency. It’s only the second time since 2002 this franchise opened a season with three straight wins.
Are the Raiders legit, though? Obviously, the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers aren’t good. The New Orleans Saints are highly competitive, but Kellen Moore’s squad has found ways to lose during his time as head coach. Next week’s matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs will provide a true test.
Las Vegas should be ready for its upcoming matchup now that Brock Bowers is back. Much like Travis Kelce, Bowers isn’t an ordinary tight end. He’s the Raiders’ No. 1 target, as evidenced by 10 catches for 116 yards upon his return to the lineup. — Brent Sobleski
The “true test” narrative has been discussed with Las Vegas every week since the season opener and is getting exhausting. To be fair, it is true. The Raiders have been facing a tougher opponent every week, and the Chiefs are one of the four other undefeated teams in the league right now. At this point, all the Raiders can do is continue to pass the exams and rack up wins.
Sports Illustrated
9. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week: 21
The Raiders are getting their Mariah Carey moment in this week’s power rankings. Every year, Carey peaks on the Billboard charts and we celebrate her arrival and understand her departure without judgement. Las Vegas has earned its moment here after a third shape-shifting victory, this time over the Saints. Brock Bowers is the most imposing receiver we’ve seen since peak A.J. Brown. — Conor Orr
I can live with the schedule and test talk, but this is certainly a backhanded compliment. I get that the Chiefs are favored and have the track record to earn the benefit of the doubt, but can the Raiders lose a game before we start trying to predict their downfall? I appreciate Orr putting them in the top 10. However, the Mariah Carey comparison is certainly an attempt to “try to bring [the Raiders] down”.
