After the Raiders pulled out a win in New York (Jersey) against the Jets to pull back to .500 on the season, they crept back up the power rankings. But that gave way to one of their ugliest losses of the season in San Francisco (Santa Clara) to the 49ers. We check back in to see where Las Vegas and their league-worst defense sit now.
(keep in mind many of the blurbs were written prior to the Kirk Cousins trade was made)
Raiders spot in NFL power rankings ahead of Week 10
Nate Davis, USA Today -- 17
Last week: 15
They've rushed for more than 100 yards twice this season and had a season-low 24 on Sunday. They've allowed fewer than 100 yards once this season and permitted 190 on Sunday. Not a conducive formula for success … or one to inject a rookie quarterback into, though new presumed QB1 Fernando Mendoza better buckle up.
Chad Graff and Josh Kendall, The Athletic -- 20
Last week: 19
On the one hand, the Raiders, a team with low expectations, got off to a shocking 3-0 start to the season. On the other, they’ve now lost five of their last six games, with their lone win coming against the Jets. They’ve been competitive with Kirk Cousins at the helm, but it feels like reality is starting to creep in.
Nick Shook, NFL media -- 21
Last week: 20
Sunday’s result wasn’t a low point, but it was a sign we’re nearing the transition of quarterback power from Kirk Cousins to Fernando Mendoza. Frankly, the Raiders are still operating on the positive side of matters, playing generally competitive football that is, at minimum, entertaining in most weeks. The defense is disintegrating, though, which doesn’t bode well for their outlook.
NFL Nation, ESPN -- 21
Last week: 20
This will be the Raiders' last game before their bye week. It could also determine how they handle their quarterback situation for the rest of the year. If the Raiders get at least five or six wins before their weeklong break, and Kirk Cousins keeps playing solid football, they could stick with the veteran signal-caller to capitalize on their playoff window. However, if the Raiders lose to the Browns, they could start Fernando Mendoza for the final five games to evaluate the No. 1 pick.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports -- 24
Last week: 24
How much longer do they wait to play Fernando Mendoza? A few weeks? The time is coming.
Conor Orr, Sports Illustrated -- 20
Last week: 17
A video with MMQB Podcast teammate Albert Breer from Monday’s show where we argue the merits of Minnesota giving up a first-round pick to Las Vegas for Kirk Cousins. Really? Yes, really.
Frank Schwab, Yahoo! sports -- 19
Last week: 17
The Raiders were fairly good on defense early in the season, but that probably had to do with facing the Dolphins and Chargers. After giving up 414 yards and 38 points to the 49ers, the Raiders are 32nd in the NFL in yards and points allowed per game. They're allowing 6.1 yards per play, which is tied for the worst mark in the NFL.
There's not much hope of being a playoff contender with a defense that bad. This leads to questions over what the team should do, specifically as it pertains to making a quarterback switch to Fernando Mendoza. Kirk Cousins didn't make a great statement to keep his job with three second-half interceptions against the 49ers. That adds to the trade rumors following Cousins.
"It feels a little bit out of my hands, and I'll let the decision-makers make the decisions and react accordingly," Cousins said after the game about trade talk, according to Sporting News. "I love it here and love the guys here."
Ralph Vacchiano, FOX sports -- 21
Last week: 17
The Raiders probably would’ve signed up for 4-5 back before the season began, but that was before their 3-0 start unreasonably raised expectations. Now they are in an unsurprising free fall after being hammered by the Niners on Sunday. Losers of five of their last six, only one thing matters now: When are they going to turn things over to No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza? Seattle, Denver and Cleveland are up next before their bye week. But when they return, on Dec. 13, at home against the awful Chargers? Let Fernando-mania begin.
Average rank -- 20.375
Last week: 18.625
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: NFL Week 10 power rankings roundup: Raiders ugly loss drops them
