Raiders gain respect in Week 3 power rankings after first 2-0 start in 5 years

It’s only two games, but the NFL has begun to put some respect on the Las Vegas Raiders.

Coming off a 26-14 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, the Raiders are 2-0 for the first time in five years.

And while the silver and black actually dropped in some power rankings last week, despite a win over the Miami Dolphins, the Raiders appropriately climbed many rankings as one of eight 2-0 teams to start the season.

The greatest leap came in CBS Sports’ power rankings, climbing 12 spots to No. 16. ESPN and Sports Illustrated also boosted Las Vegas by quite a bit, eight and seven spots, respectively.

Here’s a roundup of where the Raiders rank in Week 3 ahead of a Sunday matchup at the New Orleans Saints.

CBS Sports — 16 (28)

“They are 2-0 and one of the surprise teams of the first two weeks. The defense impressed in the victory over the Chargers.”

Yahoo Sports — 18 (23)

“The Raiders are 2-0 for the first time since 2021! Aren’t you surprised it was that recent? Kind of fun to see them not be a total doormat. Nice to see Nakobe Dean playing well for his new team.”

Bleacher Report — 20 (24)

“It’s a great start, but we’ll find who these Raiders really are over the next five games—a wicked stretch that includes the Rams, Chiefs and Bills coming to town and a trip to New England.”

ESPN — 20 (28)

“One thing we know about the QB1: Kirk Cousins can handle pressure well.

Cousins has been pressured on 36.5% of his dropbacks through two games. In those situations, he has completed 13 of 21 passes (61.9%) for 161 yards, three touchdowns, an interception and a passer rating of 105.6. Against the Chargers, Cousins was pressured on 40.6% of his dropbacks. Yet he still managed to throw for 108 yards and two scores whenever the Chargers brought the heat.”

Sports Illustrated — 21 (28)

“I don’t know what happens from here, but the fact that the Raiders have gotten incredible production out of a handful of players the previous regime deemed unplayable—and are getting game-changing plays from a 2026 fifth-round pick in the secondary—have me more confident in the John Spytek-Tom Brady mind meld than I’ve ever been.”

The Athletic — 22 (27)

“The No. 1 overall pick doesn’t look close to getting on the field with how the Raiders are playing. Kirk Cousins is in his 15th year and is tied for the league lead with six passing touchdowns. Cousins is playing average overall (15th in EPA per dropback and 13th in yards per attempt), and that’s good enough in Las Vegas right now. Fourth-round running back Mike Washington Jr. is getting some work, but second-year man Ashton Jeanty is carrying most of the load.”

NFL.com — 22 (29)

“The Raiders are 2-0! They aren’t anywhere near perfection, but they’re undefeated after two weeks and winning in new coach Klint Kubiak’s intended fashion: playing opportunistic, scrappy defense and capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes. The best part: They’re doing it with names you might have never heard before. Cody White scored two receiving touchdowns on Sunday. Hezekiah Masses picked off Justin Herbert twice. Furthermore, Kirk Cousins is out there slinging the pill with no fear! I’m not saying the Raiders are going to the playoffs, but they’re certainly fun to watch.”