In their first road game of the season, the Oakland Raiders struggled against the Minnesota Vikings. Facing a stout defense and a high-octane rushing attack, the Silver and Black fell behind early, and were unable to make up the difference.
Despite their struggles, Darren Waller had a career-day, registering statistical highs in receptions (13) and yards (134). In addition to Waller, Tyrell Williams found the end zone for the third consecutive week. The duo will need to keep it going if the Raiders want any chance at defeating the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4.
Before the Raiders hit the road once again, let's take a look at this week's edition of the Power Rankings.
Current Ranking: 25
Previous Ranking: 24
Analysis:
This remains a team under construction, and Oakland simply isn't ready to hang against a quality opponent on the road. The goal is improvement, and there's plenty of room for that. Since jumping out to a 10-0 lead last week against the Chiefs, the Raiders have been outscored 62-14 by a pair of Super Bowl contenders.
Current Ranking: 24
Previous Ranking: 22
Analysis:
After an emotional season-opening win on Monday Night Football against the rival Broncos in which the offense was clicking and a quick first quarter against the Chiefs in Week 2, the offense has been flat.
Current Ranking: 25
Previous Ranking: 21
Analysis:
Tight end Darren Waller has been a real find. Grabbing 13 receptions for 134 yards on 14 targets is impressive, no matter if most of it came in garbage time. It's one of the few positives for the Raiders over the past two weeks.
Current Ranking: 29
Previous Ranking: 26
Analysis:
The Raiders were dominated Sunday in Minnesota from start to finish in a manner that the stats don't really indicate. Twenty minutes into the contest it was 21-0.
This isn't to say that there weren't bright spots. There was one large one—tight end Darren Waller continued his early-season roll, reeling in 13 of 14 targets for 134 yards.
But outside that big outing, most of Oakland's stats were of the garbage-time variety, the Raiders pass rush (much like last year) was invisible, and three of Minnesota's first four drives culminated in touchdowns.
Current Ranking: 21
Previous Ranking: 21
Analysis:
That early-season hype has subsided with two straight losses. They just aren't good enough on defense right now and Derek Carr needs to be better.
Take a look at the top photos from the Raiders' matchup against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
A Raiders helmet at the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden on the sidelines before the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders long snapper Trent Sieg (47) warming up before the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) warming up before the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders safety Erik Harris (25) on the sidelines before the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders guard Richie Incognito (64) and tackle Kolton Miller (74) on the sidelines before the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) on the sidelines before the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Oakland Raiders huddle up before their regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) and tight end Darren Waller (83) on the sidelines before the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Oakland Raiders huddle up before their regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Oakland Raiders during the national anthem before the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4), safety Lamarcus Joyner (29), linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59), linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) and center Rodney Hudson (61) walk out to the center of the field for the coin toss before the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4), safety Lamarcus Joyner (29), linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59), linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) and center Rodney Hudson (61) walk out to the center of the field for the coin toss before the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders guard Richie Incognito (64) and center Rodney Hudson (61) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and Head Coach Jon Gruden during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver J.J. Nelson (15) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver J.J. Nelson (15) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) and wide receiver J.J. Nelson (15) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Oakland Raiders during the regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) and defensive end Arden Key (99) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders punter A.J. Cole (6) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) and cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Oakland Raiders during the regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) and defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and quarterback Mike Glennon (7) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) and defensive end Benson Mayowa (91) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders safety Erik Harris (25) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) and running back DeAndré Washington (33) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders punter A.J. Cole (6) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders safety Erik Harris (25) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and Head Coach Jon Gruden during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) and tight end Darren Waller (83) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders tackle Brandon Parker (75) and wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Mike Glennon (7) and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) after the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Arden Key (99) and Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) after the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) and Minnesota Vikings tackle Riley Reiff (71) after the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) and Minnesota Vikings tackle Rashod Hill (69) after the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) and Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) after the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Oakland Raiders long snapper Trent Sieg (47) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Oakland Raiders huddle up in the locker room after the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
