The Raiders finished 2019 with a record of 7-9 and have a lot of potential going forward; let's see where the analysts have them finishing in the Power Rankings.
Here are the final Power Rankings:
Current Ranking: 22
Previous Ranking: 23
Analysis:
There would be no Week 17 miracle for the Raiders, and a failed 2-point conversion attempt in the final seconds on Sunday meant there would be no win to close 2019, either. But pay special attention to Jon Gruden in the minutes after Derek Carr's pass was batted down at the line of scrimmage, clinching a win for the Broncos. CBS cameras caught the coach with a smile on his face, his arm around defensive coordinator Paul Guenther before giving Carr a firm handshake with some genial eye contact on both ends. The season might have sputtered after that unlikely 6-4 start, but you get the feeling Gruden believes he is on the right track. With another good offseason -- and, remember, the Raiders were an Antonio Brown fiasco away from completing an offseason masterpiece in 2019 -- the future Las Vegas Raiders could be a bona fide playoff contender in their first season in the desert.
Current Ranking: 20
Previous Ranking: 19
Analysis:
The Raiders were rolling to a 12-3 start and a sexy pick to upend the Patriots for AFC supremacy. But in a game against the Colts, Carr suffered a broken right fibula on a sack by Trent Cole, crushing the Raiders' mojo going forward. With the division title and a bye on the line in Denver, Matt McGloin was overmatched. Then rookie Connor Cook was beaten up in a wild-card game in Houston. It was an unceremonious end to the Raiders' lone winning season since the Super Bowl season of 2002. And, as Carr's detractors gladly claim, Carr has simply not been the same since.
Current Ranking: 23
Previous Ranking: 23
Analysis:
The season ended on a sour note, but there's plenty for Raiders fans to like about the 2019 campaign as the Raiders ready their move to Las Vegas.
The 2019 draft class made a major impact. Running back Josh Jacobs set a franchise record for rushing yards by a rookie, and defensive end Maxx Crosby quietly put together a stellar 10-sack first season.
Beleaguered quarterback Derek Carr led the AFC in completion percentage, connecting on over 70 percent of his passes without having a No. 1 wide receiver. Tight end Darren Waller erupted for 1,145 receiving yards good for second in the NFL among tight ends.
The Raiders made progress in the second season of Jon Gruden's second stint with the team.
And with a pair of first-round picks in the upcoming draft and in the top 10 in cap space, per Over the Cap, the soon-to-be Las Vegas Raiders are well-positioned to continue progressing in 2020.
Current Ranking: 21
Previous Ranking: 19
Analysis:
It's on to Vegas for the Raiders. Is Derek Carr the quarterback once they start playing there?
