Thursday, September 14, 2023

Las Vegas Raiders Week 2 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 2 roundup for the Las Vegas Raiders in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 19

Best debut performance: QB Jimmy Garoppolo
Week 1 stats: 20-of-26 passing, 200 yards, 2 TDs, INT

As solid as his stat line was, Garoppolo's huddle presence, leadership and willingness to run for a game-clinching first down won over the Raiders locker room. Or, as running back Josh Jacobs said, "Man, he's a dog. Any quarterback that's willing to take a hit in a big moment to secure a win, got my respect." At one point, Garoppolo had to go to the medical tent for testing and missed two plays after taking a hit to the head, but then threw a touchdown pass upon returning. After nine years with Derek Carr as the starter, this is now Garoppolo's team. -- Paul Gutierrez

NFL.com -- Rank: 23

It was an ugly win against Denver, no doubt, but I think what resonated most for me was the Raiders' grit and resolve in tough spots. That's exactly what they lacked last year. Heck, go back and look at the first month of the 2022 season, and you'll see they lost four of their first five games by a total of 14 points. On Sunday, from the final minute of the first quarter on, no team led by more than 6 points. The Raiders kept tradition alive by committing 10 penalties, several of them hair-pullingly maddening, and Jimmy Garoppolo's red-zone pick was a killer. But it's what the Raiders did after those mistakes that defined them in this game. It was a gutsy performance littered with reminders that living this dangerously every week will eventually come back to bite them.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 25

It wasn't pretty against Denver, but they found a way to pull it out with a late-game drive. The defense gave up some yards, but only 16 points.

USA Today -- Rank: 24

WR Jakobi Meyers' wild Silver-and-Black ride continues. The guy who infamously gave away a game in Las Vegas last year as a member of the Pats debuted with his new team by scoring two TDs, including the game-winner in the fourth quarter at Denver, before being concussed on a brutal hit.

The Athletic -- Rank: 14

The Raiders are never going to lose to the Broncos again. They made it seven straight against them, and this time with Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback while Josh Jacobs averaged only 2.5 yards per carry. Just as we all expected, Las Vegas is the only unbeaten team in the AFC West.

FOX -- Rank: 24

End zone interceptions are the type of thing that lose you NFL games. Credit to Jimmy Garoppolo: after he threw his, he guided the Raiders on two huge drives to ice a road division win. Maybe an uninspiring win, but a win.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 23

You'd still like to see more than 17 points from an offense that has All-Pros at running back and wide receiver, but it was a slow game with few possessions. What matters most is that the Raiders got the win, which is a habit against Denver. They've won seven in a row against the Broncos.

PFT -- Rank: 24

If Jimmy G stays healthy, they could be a factor.

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