Oakland Raiders: Power Rankings Week 1

It is a Tuesday tradition around the league, the national media releasing their weekly Power Rankings and ranking the NFL’s teams 1-32 based on their efforts on Sunday. A tradition that usually features the Raiders at the bottom of those rankings as over the past decade where power rankings have risen to prominence Oakland has been amongst the worst teams in the league.

After Week 1 the Raiders earned themselves a place amongst the bottom of the rankings as most outlets rightfully have criticized the team for one of the worst performances of the week. The blowout loss to the Bengals drawing disappointment not just from fans, but also throughout the league as the Raiders failed to live up to hopeful optimism that this new look team would open the season as a competitive roster.

Following is a weekly roundup of the national power rankings and where the Raiders sit, along with excerpts of what columnists are thinking about Oakland’s start to the season.

NFL.com (Elliot Harrison): #30

"Shoddy start to a season that appeared to carry some promise in Oakland. Not only did the Raiders suffer an embarrassing, lopsided loss in front of the Black Hole — Oakland was down 33-0 in the third quarter — but Derek Carr managed just a dozen passes before getting knocked out of the game with a bruised throwing thumb. Oh, and team leader Charles Woodson suffered a shoulder injury in garbage time. Maybe the Raiders weren’t supposed to take down Cincy in the season opener, but a lot of people were excited about Oakland entering this season. That was just ugly on Sunday."

Bleacher Report (Sean Tomlinson): #28

"The Oakland Raiders faced a clear mismatch for their secondary, and they were clobbered 33-13 by the Cincinnati Bengals. That comes after a 2014 season when Oakland lost six games by at least two touchdowns.But hold on, there’s more bitter depression.Any significant strides forward for the Raiders offense this season lie with quarterback Derek Carr and his continued development. Which means he needs to keep seeing regular snaps and keep learning on the job. And now a hand injury threatens to at least temporarily derail that effort.Carr injured his throwing hand during the second quarter against Cincinnati. There was some optimism following the game when head coach Jack Del Rio said X-rays came back negative, according to CSN Bay Area’s Scott Bair. But Carr’s status for Week 2 will likely be uncertain, which could leave a youthful Raiders offense in the completely incapable hands of Matt McGloin."

ESPN: #31

"Amari Cooper finished with only 47 receiving yards in his debut, but the Raiders tried to get him the ball. His nine targets were second most among rookies in Week 1."

CBS Sports (Pete Prisco): #31

"That was an awful opener. So much for all that talk of showing improvement with the new staff."

What are your thoughts on the Raiders spots in the national power rankings? Let us know in the comments.

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