NFL Power Rankings, Week 11: Falcons stun Saints, Vikings hold strong

By Dan Parzych | Nov 11, 2019

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 10: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after throwing a touchdown pass during a NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on November 10, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

13. Oakland Raiders (17)

If the last two weeks are any indication of what the rest of the regular season has in store for the Oakland Raiders, Jon Gruden’s team could make a surprise run for a playoff spot in the AFC.

After all of the drama surrounding Antonio Brown leading up to Week 1, the Raiders were one of those teams that no one really knew what to expect, especially after trading away Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper the year before.

But thanks to some of Oakland’s younger players stepping up, the Raiders all of a sudden seem to have new life and could make the AFC playoff race a little more interesting over the next couple of weeks.

Defeating a team that appeared to be heating up in the Los Angeles Chargers should be viewed as a huge accomplishment for Oakland when it comes to making a statement in the AFC, but there’s still plenty of work to do.

Looking at the challenge Oakland faces to earn one of the playoff spots in the AFC, Derek Carr will need to continue to be the necessary leader for the Raiders on offense to give the team a fighting chance.

Even more exciting for the Raiders, with upcoming meetings with the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets, Oakland has the perfect chance to continue their winning streak.

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