The Las Vegas Raiders were one of 16 teams that started off in the win column to begin the 2026 NFL season. The Raiders won decisively against the Miami Dolphins by a score of 27-13, but that may not have been enough to elevate their position in the NFL’s landscape.
The Raiders have more to prove with their new-look unit after garnering an average power ranking of 27 prior to Week 1, especially against a tougher opponent than the Dolphins. However, Las Vegas got good production from many of their new additions, including Tyler Linderbaum, Nakobe Dean and Kwity Paye.
The NFL season is a long battle. Las Vegas has 16 more games to prove themselves and pile on as many wins as possible. But for now, they look like a threatening team with more to them than
projections outlined leading up to the season. Let’s round up some power rankings and see how the Raiders are viewed heading into Week 2.
Nate Davis, USA Today — 29
“Amazing what RB Ashton Jeanty can do (147 total yards, 2 TDs) with the benefit of competent quarterback play … however long that might last against non-South Floridian opponents.”
Chad Graff and Josh Kendall, The Athletic — 27
”Trepidation is warranted after the Raiders won their opener last season, too, before finishing 3-14. But as our Sam Warren wrote, there are legitimate reasons to think this season could be different under Klint Kubiak. They pulled off the win without tight end Brock Bowers, who could return from injury for Week 2.”
Nick Shook, NFL.com — 29
“The Raiders received the most favorable draw for Klint Kubiak’s head-coaching debut and handled business, overcoming two turnovers to build a two-score lead that was threatened but ultimately held through the final whistle. Most encouraging: Ashton Jeanty finally delivereda game that matched the expectations he brought with him from Boise State.”
NFL Nation, ESPN — 28
“The Raiders have been searching for a secondary pass rusher to support All-Pro Maxx Crosby. Paye, who signed a three-year deal in free agency, showed Sunday that he could fill that role with two sacks, five pressures and five quarterback hits. Under first-time defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, the Raiders want to be aggressive and make life uncomfortable for opposing quarterbacks. If Paye continues to have performances similar to the one he had in Week 1, the outlook for Las Vegas could be a lot different this season.”
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports — 28
“The victory over Miami had some good things, but it's not exactly a top-notch opponent. Ashton Jeanty sure looked like the real deal.”
Frank Schwab, Yahoo Sports — 25
“The Raiders can thank the schedule makers. Getting Miami at home to start the season was great for a team that had so many changes, including a new head coach in Klint Kubiak. They still had to execute no matter the opponent and the Raiders did just that, winning 27-13. It was without tight end Brock Bowers, who will hopefully be back soon from a meniscus trim in his knee. It was a good start, though the Raiders had a good start last season with a win at New England. This time they have to build on it.”
B/R NFL Staff, Bleacher Report — 24
“It's too early to declare Klink Kubiak as Las Vegas' answer at head coach. However, his team was well-prepared for Week 1 and operated like a team that can probably pull off a few upsets in 2026. However, Kirk Cousins (2 INTs) will need to be more careful with the football to keep Las Vegas in the win column and to quiet calls for rookie Fernando Mendoza.”
Conor Orr, Sports Illustrated — 28
“The Raiders beat the worst team in the NFL in the season opener. The good? We saw a revival from talent that was drafted highly in the 2025 draft and was all but abandoned by the previous regime. The bad news? They are getting a hella pissed off Chargers team coming off the most embarrassing loss of the inaugural weekend.”
Average Raiders power ranking: 27.25
Last week: 27
The Raiders approach a divisional game against the Los Angeles Chargers with major implications in Week 2. The Arizona Cardinals upset the Chargers 26-14 in Week 1, which gives the Raiders the opportunity to not only begin the year at 2-0, but also plunge a Super Bowl contender into an 0-2 hole, which will make life difficult for Los Angeles’ playoff contention efforts.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: NFL Power Rankings Round-up 2026: How do Raiders fare prior to Week 2?
