Coming off a crucial win against the New England Patriots, you’d think that the Las Vegas Raiders would get some love in the league’s power rankings. Well, they got a boost, according to Eric Edholm, a writer for NFL media, but they’re not even middle of the pack just yet.
“The pass protection needs some work, but Carroll’s debut showed the team had a lot of energy,” Edholm said.
On the topic of the Patriots, the Raiders were described as a ‘beatable foe.’ As a result, the losers in Week 1 dropped three spots in the rankings.
Where do the Raiders rank ahead of Monday Night Football?
Although the Raiders are not likely contenders for a Super Bowl, they could sneak into the playoffs. However, Las Vegas has a lower ranking compared to many teams they might compete against. For instance, the Seattle Seahawks have the No. 19 overall roster in the league.
In other words, Seattle is listed as a better team with a worse quarterback, head coach, and offensive weapons. The NFC West team also lost to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1.
Another team to consider is the Chicago Bears. The addition of Ben Johnson has generated interest, but the partnership with Caleb Williams has not met expectations. This franchise should be ranked lower than the Silver and Black.
Beating the Los Angeles Chargers could change everything…
Before the Monday Night Football matchup, Justin Herbert and the Chargers have a No. 13 ranking. Defeating the 2023 Super Bowl champions deserves respect. The veteran quarterback displayed a new level of grit in his 2025 debut.
Many questions surrounding Las Vegas focus on their pass defense, which will face a significant test. Limiting such a high-powered offense could drastically impact the Raiders’ trajectory. However, accomplishing these goals will be challenging due to the numerous weapons available in Los Angeles.
In addition, Herbert is now a threat to run the football. Last week he finished with 32 rushing yards along with three passing touchdowns. A win and a stout defensive performance would be excellent for the Raiders.
Where should this team, led by Pete Carroll, be ranked?
Related: AFC West Power Rankings Post-Week 1
*Top Photo: Getty Images