This season has provided Raider fans with emotional highs and lows, as the team has dug itself into holes just to come storming back in dramatic fashion. Head Coach Jack Del Rio has said time and time again, "last year we learned how to compete, this year we're learning how to win," and the team has done just that.
Sunday afternoon, the Silver and Black set the stage for what could've been a disappointing outing as the team trailed the Buffalo Bills 24-9 in the third quarter, but instead the team rallied from a 15-point deficit to score 29 unanswered points behind none-other than clutch quarterback Derek Carr. After the first half, all three phases got the ball rolling and started to chip away at the Bills lead.
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Carr and defensive end Khalil Mack have arguably been the most impactful players at their positions this season. No.4 is well on his way to potentially earning his first NFL MVP and in the last seven games Mack has accumulated 9 sacks, four forced fumbles, an interception, and a touchdown. The two 2014 draftees made it a priority to help change the culture in Oakland and so far in 2016 they have helped the team accomplish that goal, but aren't done yet.
At an impressive record of 10-2, let's take a look at where the Raiders stand in this week's edition of the Power Rankings, brought to you by NFL Extra Points.
Current Ranking: No. 3
Previous Ranking: No. 3
Movement: N/A
Analysis: Oakland doesn't need four quarters to beat you. It can fit all its big plays in only 30 minutes of play.
Don't believe me? Look no further than Week 13. The Silver and Black trailed 24-9 at one point, then turned on the afterburners and never looked back.
MVP candidate Derek Carr deserves most of the credit for the quick turnaround. He orchestrated his 10th fourth-quarter comeback when he hit Amari Cooper on a perfect "sluggo" route—a slant that turned into a go. Of course, big Latavius Murray runs (82 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries) were sprinkled in. So were big, eye-opening Jalen Richard carries.
Looking forward: Khalil Mack ends every game with a strip-sack fumble recovery. This guy is magic. Kansas City better bring two blockers at all times.
Current Ranking: No. 3
Previous Ranking: No. 2
Movement: Down 1
Analysis: Derek Carr gets the Raiders the lead, and Khalil Mack keeps it that way. Mack has three strip-sacks in the fourth quarter in his past four games, and he recovered the fumble each time. No other player in the NFL has done that (sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery) in the fourth quarter in that time.
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NFL.com**
Current Ranking: No. 3
Previous Ranking: No. 3
Movement: N/A
Analysis: These guys are flat-out unreal. Actually, the Raiders looked flat, falling behind 24-9 midway through the third quarter. Derek Carr was on the sideline while the training staff looked at his left hand, not the hand bearing the injured digit. Yet there was no panic -- no Well, we were bound to come back to Earth acceptance on the Oakland sideline. Instead, Carr started ballin', Crabtree went Crabtree on the secondary and the RB-by-committee jointly ran over the Bills' defense. Next thing you know, it's 38-24 Raiders, the Silver & Black are 10-2 and 2016 in Oakland feels like 1976 in Oakland.
Current Ranking: No. 3
Previous Ranking: No. 3
Movement: N/A
Analysis: What a game that will be on Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium. If the Raiders win, they'll be up two games in the AFC West with three to play. If they lose, the Chiefs take over first place because they'll clinch the head-to-head tiebreaker. There haven't been many Thursday night matchups through the years that have meant this much in the playoff race.
Current Ranking: No. 2
Previous Ranking: No. 2
Movement: N/A
Analysis: Great teams find a way to win games they should lose, which is exactly what the Raiders did against the Bills.
Current Ranking: No. 3
Previous Ranking: No. 3
Movement: N/A
Analysis: The Raiders looked like they were in for a disappointing letdown against the Bills before Derek Carr led Oakland to 29 unanswered points. The defense remains a question mark, but as long as the Raiders keep putting up 30-plus points per game, they'll continue to dominate.
Current Ranking: No. 3
Previous Ranking: No. 3
Movement: N/A
Analysis: At 10-2, they face a key division game with the Chiefs at Arrowhead on Thursday night. The defense has to be better.
Current Ranking: No. 5
Previous Ranking: No. 5
Movement: N/A
Analysis: Maybe J.J. Watt had to go down before Khalil Mack (9 sacks, 4 strips, INT last seven games) realized defensive MVP honors were up for grabs.
