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2018 NFL Power Rankings: Packers, Patriots fall as Rams, Chiefs show dominance

By Randy Gurzi

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Robert Woods #17 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates his touchdown with teammate Todd Gurley #30 during the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 23, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Robert Woods #17 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates his touchdown with teammate Todd Gurley #30 during the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 23, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – SEPTEMBER 23: Jon Gruden reacts on the sidelines during the fourth quarter against Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – SEPTEMBER 23: Jon Gruden reacts on the sidelines during the fourth quarter against Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images) /

30. Oakland Raiders (26)

The $100 million man is still looking for his first win. And a pass rusher.

Jon Gruden hasn’t been effective as a head coach in his first three games and while it’s too early to give up on him, he’s sure not looking like a guy who should have been given a 10-year deal with full control of personnel decisions.

After making some questionable offseason moves, they made an even bigger head-scratching move just before the season started. The Oakland Raiders shipped Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears and even though they got two first-round picks, they left themselves with no pass rush whatsoever.

And Gruden keeps complaining about how hard it is to find pass rushers, which makes him look awful. As does his reliance on older players, although Jordy Nelson stepped up with 173 yards and a touchdown in this one.

Derek Carr keeps looking inconsistent though as he had two picks and one touchdown in the Raiders third-straight loss. He’s been headed in the wrong direction for a couple seasons in a row now and Gruden — who has a history of being incredibly demanding — may not be the guy to fix what’s wrong here. It could be a long season in Oakland.

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