Despite a tough loss in Week 7 to the Green Bay Packers, the Raiders’ place on power ranking lists across the internet mostly stayed the same. While they might not be Super Bowl contenders this season, they clearly are one of the more competitive teams in the AFC.
In Doug Farrar’s most recent power-ranking list at the Touchdown Wire, the Raiders remained at No. 17 after seven weeks. Take a look at Farrar’s thoughts on Oakland this season:
It wasn’t a great day for Jon Gruden’s team, as it allowed the first perfect passer rating in Aaron Rodgers’ estimable career. More specifically, it was a very bad day for Paul Guenther’s defense, as the Raiders had few answers for what Rodgers was throwing at them. Rookie running back Josh Jacobs continued his monster season with 124 yards on 21 carries, and quarterback Derek Carr had his moments before two turnovers — including a fumble in the end zone — turned things in the wrong direction. It was disappointing after their win over the Bears in London and a bye, but Gruden’s guys don’t have long to get over it.
Overall, there is still a lot to be encouraged about in regards to this Raiders’ team. The offense is starting to produce at a high level, despite their full starting offensive line never taking one snap together. Josh Jacobs looks like a superstar, and so does Darren Waller.
While Oakland may still be a year or two away from truly competing in the AFC, 2019 seems to be going better than anyone could have imagined.
