It took all four quarters for the Las Vegas Raiders to take down the New York Jets on Sunday, but a win is a win in the NFL. And it marked a significant improvement from the last time Klint Kubiak's team traveled to the East Coast for an early-window game, so this young roster and staff are learning.
But the NFL landscape has already learned, surprisingly, that this Raiders team is competent. Although they've taken their tumbles, analysts and media members aren't talking down on the Silver and Black as they have in years past, and they're actually giving credit where credit is due.
They weren't afraid to knock Las Vegas down a few pegs amid their four-game losing streak, but they are actually acknowledging the team's victory in New York and moving them up in the power rankings as a result. Fair assessment is all Raider Nation has wanted, and they finally have it.
Las Vegas Raiders
FanSided - Jason La Canfora
Current - 22
Last Week - 22
"They are good enough to beat the worst teams in the NFL consistently now. Unfortunately, the schedule doesn’t provide too many of them. Offense is pretty legit and defense has issues. What do they do with Maxx Crosby? I suspect they explore moving him. After the Simmons trade, the value is high."
Our take: First, the Raiders have several bad teams ahead on the calendar, like the Chargers, Titans, Cardinals and Browns. Second, La Canfora is one of the only holdouts in the camp of Las Vegas trading Crosby, even though most others say neither side wants that. For the right price, it probably still makes sense to do so. And the Raiders are better than several teams ahead of them on this list.
Current - 20
Last Week - 22
"Best in-season trade acquisition ever: DB Mike Haynes in 1983
"The Raiders bolstered their secondary by acquiring Haynes from the Patriots. The move was instrumental to winning a title that season, as he recorded an interception, two pass breakups and a tackle in Super Bowl XVIII against Washington. Haynes, who was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1997, went on to play seven seasons with the Silver and Black. In 87 games (72 starts), he totaled 18 interceptions." -- Ryan McFadden
Our take: For some reason, the analysis from ESPN this week was about the past, not the present. That could have been saved for a different article. But the Raiders moved up slightly after their win over the Jets, but they should still be ahead of weak NFC South foes like the Bucs and Panthers.
NFL.com - Nick Shook
Current - 20
Last Week - 25
"The aerial stylings of Kirk Cousins, Brock Bowers and the rest of the crew delivered again, ending the Raiders’ four-game losing skid in a wild, back-and-forth affair against the Jets at MetLife Stadium. Like much of Las Vegas’ 2026 season, I certainly didn’t expect one development to emerge: Rookie Mike Washington Jr. has taken over as the bell cow in Silver and Black, while Ashton Jeanty has become Klint Kubiak’s preferred third-down, pass-catching back -- and he's making a difference in that role. Jeanty caught three passes for 64 yards in the Raiders’ comeback win on Sunday, adding some more dynamism to Vegas' air game."
Our take: Shook likes to react strongly to what the Raiders do each week. A loss to the Rams dropped them six spots, and a win over the Jets had them ascend five. To be fair, that's how hot-and-cold this team has been this year, but still. And I don't understand why they'd be ranked behind the Texans, Bucs or Falcons, but what do I know?
Fox Sports - Ralph Vacchiano
Current - 17
Last Week - 20
"The Raiders' snapped a four-game losing streak thanks to another impressive performance from QB Kirk Cousins. And yeah, it was only against the Jets, but the Raiders again look like a team that just won’t go away. The best thing they did yesterday was finally bench RB Ashton Jeanty and give his job to the more impressive Mike Washington Jr., who ran for 83 yards on 25 carries. Jeanty did have three catches for 45 yards, so he still has a role. He just can’t be the lead back anymore."
Our take: Honestly, for a 4-4 team, 17 feels about right. Credit to Vacchiano, as he wasn't out on the team after last week, and he is appropriately slotting them in ahead of the Panthers, Falcons, Texans, and even the Ravens. This Raiders team won't go away; he's right.
The Athletic - Josh Kendall and Chad Graff
Current - 19
Last Week - 24
"Reality check: Ashton Jeanty may not bounce back
"It was a tough week for Jeanty. After he made disparaging comments about the Jets, ESPN commentator and former Jets head coach Rex Ryan called him “soft as Charmin.” On Sunday, the No. 6 pick in the 2025 draft was essentially benched for rookie Mike Washington. Jeanty finished with two carries for 9 yards, while Washington had 25 for 83."
Our take: No. 19 also feels like a fair spot for the Raiders. And while it was a rough week for Jeanty, I don't think Ryan's blowhard, Jets-homer comments factored in very much. But he'll be fine, and Jeanty seems to be taking things in stride and keeping a great attitude, so credit to him.
And he still helped out in a big way in the win, contrary to popular belief.
Sports Illustrated - Conor Orr
Current - 17
Last Week - 22
"I can’t be the only one who saw Klint Kubiak open the door just a smidge for Mike Washington Jr. and watched as Washington kicked the thing open, right? It’s a different feel when the rookie out of Arkansas is in the backfield."
Our take: The running back situation in Las Vegas will continue to be a talking point, and rightfully so. But let's give some credit to Kirk Cousins and the passing attack as well because they came through big time, as did Dylan Laube and the special teams unit. 17 feels high, but fair.
Current - 17
Last Week - 20
"The Las Vegas Raiders were well-prepared for their second trip to the East Coast this season. They fell behind early, but Kirk Cousins showed why he still gives the Silver and Black the best chance to win, throwing for 247 yards and three touchdowns and scoring a touchdown on a quarterback sneak.
"For now, head coach Klint Kubiak is trying to stay in the playoff picture, so expect Cousins to keep the starting job for the foreseeable future.
"Rookie first-rounder Fernando Mendoza's time will come, but the .500 Raiders should keep riding Cousins' arm for now.
"The Raiders are a flawed team with an inefficient ground attack, averaging three yards per carry, and a leaky defense, but Cousins and the passing game give them a chance to pull off victories."
Our take: Again, 17 feels high after a close win over a bad team on the heels of a four-game losing streak... but folks are seeing what Raider Nation sees in this team, which is a resilient group with plenty of upside. And there are so many worse teams right now, it's not even funny.
Average Rank - 18.9
Average Rank Last Week - 22.1
Average Change - +3.2
Highest Rank - 17 (Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports)
Lowest Rank - 22 (FanSided)
Biggest Change - +5 (Sports Illustrated, The Athletic, NFL.com)
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