2021 Week 7 NFL Power Rankings: Can the Raiders break into the top-5?

DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 17: Interim CoachRich Bisaccia of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on October 17, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 17: Interim CoachRich Bisaccia of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on October 17, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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Oct 24, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates the 33-22 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates the 33-22 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

2021 Week 7 NFL Power Rankings: Can the Raiders break into the top-5?

No. 6

team. 28. . . . Las Vegas Raiders. 6

The Las Vegas Raiders were one of the hottest teams in football to start the season, beating the Baltimore Ravens at home in Week 1, before going to Pittsburgh to beat the Steelers on a short week. Then, the Silver and Black hosted the Miami Dolphins and beat them in overtime, their second overtime win of the young season, moving to 3-0 and looking like a team to beat in the AFC.

Then came the two-game losing streak, as well as the Raiders seeing head coach Jon Gruden resign, leaving them with plenty of question marks. The resignation of Gruden has seemed to inspire the Raiders, as they have looked the best they have in a long time on both sides of the ball over the last two wins.

First, the Raiders went to Denver and beat the Broncos as a road underdog, before heading home as a favorite against the Philadelphia Eagles. In both games, Derek Carr played outstanding, the defense got excellent pressure, and for those who thought the Raiders were a team that would be left for dead, they are once again one of the better teams in football.