Nobody expected the Las Vegas Raiders to walk into Levi's Stadium and take down the San Francisco 49ers. Yes, the records can often be thrown out in a rivalry game, but this is one of the league's giants against a young and rebuilding Las Vegas squad. It was going to take a special effort.
And the Raiders fumbled away every opportunity that the 49ers gave them - literally. It was a sloppy loss in which Las Vegas beat itself, as it turned the ball over five times in the second half. You're never going to win like that in the NFL, particularly not against Kyle Shanahan and his loaded roster.
But the general perception of the Silver and Black has not changed all that much in the wake of the defeat. Because expectations were seemingly so low, nobody punished the Raiders too much in the post-Week 9 power rankings. Let's see where things shook out.
Raiders didn't move down much at all after loss to 49ers
FanSided - Jason La Canfora
Current - 23
Last Week - 22
"It’s unfair that a team that was this bad a year ago ends up with a schedule that is this unforgiving. It’s nuts. But being in the AFC West and having to face the NFC West will do that to you. The defense is bad, again. Will Maxx Crosby still be there come Wednesday?"
Our take: La Canfora is right: this is an incredibly tough schedule for a young team that was the worst in the league a year ago. But you play the cards you are dealt. And Klint Kubiak has this team at 4-5, beating every team that they should, so they have undoubtedly made progress.
It's Wednesday, and Crosby is still here, but Kirk Cousins is not. I am also not entirely sure why the Raiders are behind the Dallas Cowboys or the Atlanta Falcons in this ranking... but it is what it is.
Current - 21
Last Week - 20
"Most important game of the second half: Week 12 at the Browns
"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." -- Ryan McFadden
Our take: Obviously, the power rankers went for content with a short shelf life this week. Since McFadden wrote this, the Raiders traded Cousins and named Mendoza their starter. Again, it's unclear why ESPN won't talk about the team right now and justify where they were slotted in...
But No. 21 feels fair.
NFL.com - Nick Shook
Current - 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."
Our take: Again, that transition has now happened. But Shook is right that this team is still quite unrecognizable from a year ago, even if the defense is falling apart more and more as the weeks drag on. Let's remember where we came from, Raider Nation.
Fox Sports - Ralph Vacchiano
Current - 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."
Our take: Well... Mr. Vacchiano, Fernando-mania has begun a bit earlier than you anticipated. What this is all telling me is that folks really underestimated how likely it was that Kirk Cousins was going to be dealt. As far as the ranking, I don't understand Las Vegas being behind Dallas yet again. Whatever!
The Athletic - Josh Kendall and Chad Graff
Current - 20
Last Week - 19
"Midseason grade: C
"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."
Our take: A "C" grade feels appropriate, as does the No. 20 ranking. This Las Vegas team is just average - they beat the teams that they should, and they lose to the teams that they should. At times, they compete. At times, they don't. They're young and improving, though. So this is A+ progress.
Sports Illustrated - Conor Orr
Current - 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."
Our take: Well, the Raiders didn't quite fetch a first-rounder, but they did themselves proud by still getting a third-round pick for Cousins. And No. 20 feels like the sweet spot, although I am shocked that the surging Tampa Bay Bucs are not ahead of Las Vegas. But we will take it.
Current - 17
Last Week - 17
"The Las Vegas Raiders are pretty much what everyone expected them to be during the offseason. They have a few nice pieces and a competent bridge quarterback in Kirk Cousins, but they're not yet ready to hang with the league's true contenders.
"Things felt different during Las Vegas' 3-0 start to the season and even after a close loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. However, the Raiders are still clearly a year away from having realistic aspirations of a deep playoff run.
"The question right now is if Las Vegas has enough pieces in place to properly support rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza when or if they decide to turn the offense over to him."
Our take: I disagree that everyone expected the Raiders to be a 4-5 ball club at this point. But no, Las Vegas is not ready to hang with the league's goliaths. And we will find out rather quickly if they have enough pieces to support Mendoza, now that the offense has been turned over to him.
Average Rank - 20.4
Average Rank Last Week - 18.9
Average Change - -1.5
Highest Rank - 17 (Bleacher Report)
Lowest Rank - 23 (FanSided)
Biggest Change - -4 (Fox Sports)
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