The Oakland Raiders fought hard on Sunday against the Houston Texans, but were unable to pull off the win. The team finishes their 49-day road stretch 2-3 after defeating the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears. For the first time since September, the Raiders will play at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum this Sunday and stay put for the next three weeks.
Here's an updated look at the power rankings after Week 8:
Current Ranking: 19
Previous Ranking: 18
Analysis:
The Raiders have been one of the NFL's most pleasant surprises, but they missed a golden opportunity Sunday to put themselves on the inside track in the AFC playoff race. Oakland had an eight-point lead over the Texans midway through the third quarter, and Derek Carr and the offense were going up and down the field on the Houston defense. But Deshaun Watson put Houston on top with consecutive touchdown drives covering 77 and 75 yards, then ran out the clock on the final possession with a trio of first downs. Watson did this with his right eye nearly swollen shut following a cleat to the face on his fourth-quarter touchdown pass. Not how Jon Gruden wanted to end a largely successful marathon road swing. But all is not lost. The Raiders will finally play their first true home game since Sept. 15, with favorable matchups over the next three weeks. Just win, baby.
Current Ranking: 19
Previous Ranking: 18
Analysis:
This is not a slam on Carr, who entered last week with an NFL-best completion percentage of 74.1. Thing is, quarterbacks get too much glory when things are going well, too much blame when things go south. It's not Carr's fault the Oakland defense could not get off the field in Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Texans, and it's not his fault Tyrell Williams had two costly drops in the fourth quarter. But if the Raiders want to run off a few victories in a row on this upcoming three-game homestand against the Lions, Chargers and Bengals, it starts with Carr limiting those lapses into inconsistency.
Current Ranking: 20
Previous Ranking: 17
Analysis:
The Raiders battled, but Deshaun Watson was just a little too much. It happens. The Raiders looked a little out of gas at the end of a long road trip. We'll see if they look rejuvenated during a three-game homestand that starts this week.
Current Ranking: 19
Previous Ranking: 20
Analysis:
Sunday's loss to the Houston Texans is something of a microcosm for the 2019 Raiders season.
In many respects, the Raiders played well. They piled up 378 yards of total offense—just 10 fewer than the Texans. Quarterback Derek Carr had an outstanding game, passing for 285 yards and three scores while posting a passer rating of 125.
For most of the game, the Raiders led. But Oakland's defense, while better in 2019 than it was a year ago, couldn't hold the lead late. And a Raiders team that can't afford miscues committed far too many, piling up 100 yards on 11 penalties.
It was a disappointing result, to be sure. But Oakland came close to winning its third game of the season against a team that made the playoffs last season. As the Raiders' time in Oakland winds down, the team is headed in the right direction.
Current Ranking: 17
Previous Ranking: 14
Analysis:
They did a lot of good things against the Texans last week, things that should carry over. They finally get a home game this week against the Lions.
Get an exclusive look at the top photos from the Raiders' Week 8 matchup against the Houston Texans.
Raiders quarterback Mike Glennon (7) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) huddle in the tunnel before the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden stands on the field before the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) huddles the team before the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) huddles the team before the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden greets model Jospehine Skriver on the sidelines before the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
The Raiders are introduced onto the field before their regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61), safety Lamarcus Joyner (29), linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the sidelines before the coin toss at the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61), linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59), safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the coin toss before the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Trevor Davis (11) rushes during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) eyes the quarterback during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) rushes the quarterback during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) makes a tackle during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96), defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) celebrate after sacking the quarterback during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive end Benson Mayowa (91) rushes the quarterback during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) lines up before the snap during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) and cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) lines up before the snap during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) celebrates after wide receiver Hunter Renfrow's (13) 65-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16), wide receiver Zay Jones (12), wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) and offensive lineman Andre James (68) celebrate after Hunter Renfrow's 65-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders guard Richie Incognito (64) and tackle Kolton Miller (74) block during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) runs after making a catch for a 65-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) runs after making a catch for a 65-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) runs after making a catch for a 65-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) runs after making a catch for a 65-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) celebrate after Renfrow's 65-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (12) and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) celebrate after Renfrow's 65-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates after wide receiver Hunter Renfrow's (13) 65-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders tackle Trent Brown (77) blocks during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) stands on the field during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive line coach Brentson Buckner talks with the defensive line on the bench during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders guard Richie Incognito (64) blocks during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders offensive lineman Andre James (68) blocks for quarterback Derek Carr (4) as he looks for a receiver during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) makes a tackle during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive end Arden Key (99) rushes the quarterback during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrate after a play during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) rushes during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders tackle Trent Brown (77) and guard Gabe Jackson (66) block for running back Josh Jacobs (28) as he rushes during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
The Raiders offense huddles up during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after making a catch for an 8-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs after making a catch for an 8-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) dives for the pylon for an 8-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) and tight end Foster Moreau (87) celebrate after Darren Waller's 8-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83), quarterback Derek Carr (4), wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) and running back DeAndré Washington (33) celebrate after Darren Waller's 8-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16), running back DeAndré Washington (33), quarterback Derek Carr (4) and tight end Darren Waller (83) celebrate after Waller's 8-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders tight ends coach Frank Smith talks with tight end Darren Waller (83) on the bench during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) make a tackle during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive end Benson Mayowa (91) sacks the quarterback during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders tackle Trent Brown (77), guard Gabe Jackson (66), offensive lineman Andre James (68) and guard Richie Incognito (64) block for quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (20) and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) make a tackle during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) talks with wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) and wide receiver Zay Jones (12) on the bench during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (20) walks on the field during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders offensive lineman Andre James (68) and guard Richie Incognito (64) block for quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) makes a tackle during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) goes to sack the quarterback during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) makes a tackle during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) eyes the quarterback during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) celebrates after making a tackle during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive end Benson Mayowa (91) sacks the quarterback during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates after sacking the quarterback during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks for a receiver during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) runs after making a catch for a 46-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) runs after making a catch for a 46-yard touchdown during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celbrates after wide receiver Tyrell Williams' (16) 46-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates after wide receiver Tyrell Williams' (16) 46-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) kicks a PAT during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) pose for photo on the bench after Tyrell Williams' 46-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) talks with wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) on the bench after Tyrell Williams' 46-yard touchdown reception during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) talks with the wide receivers on the bench during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) make a tackle during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) rushes during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) and Daniel Carlson celebrate after kicking a field goal during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders defensive tackle P.J. Hall (92) makes a tackle during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) rushes during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) makes a catch during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) rushes during the regular season game against the Houston Texans.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) swaps jerseys with Houston Texans wide receiver Keke Coutee (16) after the regular season game.
