The Las Vegas Raiders have dropped to the late teens in the latest power rankings after a 45-17 blowout loss to the New England Patriots. The team, which was ranked as high as 10th by Bleacher Report and CBS Sports following a narrow loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4, has now fallen to No. 18 in both outlets’ rankings.
The loss marks the Raiders’ second consecutive defeat after a surprising 3-0 start to the season. Analysts noted the defense was a total mess, allowing six touchdowns on 10 real drives and surrendering over 500 yards of offense. The Raiders’ offense also struggled, failing to protect Kirk Cousins and lacking production from the ground game.
Despite the setbacks, Las Vegas remains at 3-2 on the season. Observers acknowledged that most fans would have accepted that record in August, but the blowout loss to New England has shifted perceptions, revealing flaws exposed after wins over weaker opponents early in the year.
The upcoming schedule offers little relief, with the Bills and Rams next on the docket. While some wonder if quarterback Fernando Mendoza should see more playing time, sources agree it is not yet time to bench Cousins, though the team has encountered its first significant challenge after a strong start.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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