2018 NFL Power Rankings: Risk on Mahomes paying off for Chiefs

26. Oakland Raiders (17 – Before MNF)

Hanging on to a 19-7 lead late in the third quarter along with Derek Carr making completions at an insane rate made it seem like the Oakland Raiders were going to bounce back in a strong way after a tough Week 1 loss, only to collapse when it mattered the most. At the end of the day, the Raiders have no one to blame other than themselves for losing to the Denver Broncos the way they did, and this is going to be one of those games in which they most likely look back on wishing they held on for the win.

Hiring Jon Gruden was supposed to help Oakland turn things around after failing to live up to the Super Bowl hype during the 2017 season, and while Carr’s play (29 of 32 for 288 yards with a touchdown) was progress, it didn’t earn the team a win. Now, the Raiders enter Week 3 as the only team within the division without a single win, and if the struggles continue, the decision in regards to Gruden is going to look like a complete bust.

Also, it’s difficult not to wonder if Khalil Mack still being part of the picture would have come up big for Oakland’s defense in a game like this when seeing how easy Denver’s offense made it look at times in the second half. And with another tough matchup next weekend on the road in Miami, it’s not going to get any easier for the Raiders.