The NFL 2016 preseason is officially in the books, with the Oakland Raiders finishing with a 1-3 record, and now less than a week away from the regular season.
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The team is slated to play the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome this Sunday, and will look to start the regular season the same way it started the preseason, with a win.
The team is ready to head to Louisiana, so let's see what the national media is saying about the Raiders.
Here is our power rankings list, brought to you by NFL Extra Points.
Current Ranking: No. 11
Previous Ranking: No. 11
Movement: N/A
Analysis: The Oakland Raiders were on the rise last season, and a 7-9 finish offered them a nice springboard for a potentially fruitful 2016 season.
While a loaded young offensive core of quarterback Derek Carr, wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree and running back Latavius Murray will allow the Raiders to make some noise in the AFC West, a restocked offensive line could help propel them back to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
"We've got a good vibe going, but the tough thing now is we've got to back it up, all this hype and buzz," Penn said, per Sports Illustrated's Don Banks. "But the biggest thing we're trying to do right now is not follow the hype. I mean it feels good to have the hype, and we like it, but you have to make sure the hype doesn't take over. If we don't put in the work, all that hype's going to go out the window."
If the Raiders' group of burly maulers can keep Carr upright and consistently open up running lanes for Murray, Oakland could challenge the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos for superiority in a division that's suddenly up for grabs.
Current Ranking: No. 11
Previous Ranking: N/A
Analysis: The Raiders are among the biggest risers in the NFL and are poised to make a serious playoff push. They'll have to overcome a daunting schedule in the AFC West, but they have the leadership, youth, as well as the overall talent to make it happen. Derek Carr should continue to improve.
Current Ranking: No. 11
Previous Ranking: No. 10
Movement: Down 1
Heading into last season, the Raiders were parked at 26th in the Power Rankings. The year before? 32nd. Now look where GM Reggie McKenzie has guided this group. The Raiders are primed to compete in the AFC West, and the thought here is that 10-6 and an AP Coach of the Year award for Jack Del Rio is coming down the pike.
