The NFL 2016 season has officially kicked off, and the Oakland Raiders will hold a 1-0 record heading into Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Raiders completed a thrilling comeback on Sunday, after being down 14 points to the New Orleans Saints. Quarterback Derek Carr threw a dime to wide receiver Michael Crabtree for the game-winning two-point conversion, with 47 seconds left in regulation.
The Silver and Black proved their resilience and showed that they're battle tested. The desire to win is clear, and Head Coach Jack Del Rio conveyed his full support and faith in the team. The Raiders will take on the Falcons this Sunday at 1:25 p.m. PT, at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
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Here is our power rankings list, brought to you by NFL Extra Points.
Current Ranking: No. 14
Previous Ranking: No. 11
Movement: Down 3
Analysis: Derek Carr is here to play in his third year, you guys.
He's not a kid anymore. Carr is a B-A-L-L-E-R and leads one of the league's most explosive offenses. He sat pretty behind a wall of an offensive line and threw strike after strike. That's why Jack Del Rio trusted him to connect on a two-point play for the win.
This team just went into the Superdome and beat Drew Brees. It grew up in a hurry. I don't need to say much more than that.
Next opponent: Atlanta Falcons
Looking ahead: Sean Payton game-planned Khalil Mack out of Week 1. Mack can make up for lost time vs. Atlanta, though.
Current Ranking: No. 12
Previous Ranking: No. 11
Movement: Down 1
Analysis: Gutsy move, Jack Del Rio. Feeling pretty good about that Coach of the Year prediction for the Raiders' front man. Securing the first opening-day win in five years by virtue of going for two was only surpassed by the tweet that came from Del Rio hours later. So why the slight drop for the Raiders, you ask? The defense. Coordinator Ken Norton's side of the ball was supposed to be a major factor in Oakland's revival, but 507 yards from the Saints later, that's a tough sell.
Power Rankings side note: Not sure why, but lost in Sunday's drama is the ridiculously clutch catch Michael Crabtree made to score those all-important two points.
Current Ranking: No. 10
Previous Ranking: No. 11
Movement: Up 1
Analysis: Don't worry Jack, we aren't trying to take your job. The numbers simply showed how gutsy a call it was to go for two. Thanks to that conversion, the Raiders will be looking for their first 2-0 start since 2002 when they host Atlanta this week.
Current Ranking: No. 12
Previous Ranking: No. 12
Movement: N/A
Analysis: If you want to be a playoff team, you have to win games like at New Orleans. It wasn't easy and the Raiders showed a lot of resiliency. And the next four weeks (vs. Atlanta, at Tennessee, at Baltimore, vs. San Diego) aren't too tough.
Current Ranking: No. 11
Previous Ranking: No. 12
Movement: Up 1
Analysis: One-Eyed Jack Del Rio is the perfect coach for a team whose logo wears an eye patch.
Current Ranking: No. 9
Previous Ranking: No. 11
Movement: Up 2
Analysis: Credit this win to Jack Del Rio for having the guts to attempt a two-point conversion in the final minute against the Saints. It essentially earned the Raiders the victory and turned out to be a smart move in hindsight. The Saints are no longer the powerhouse they once were, but going down to New Orleans and winning in their place is telling of Oakland's prospects this season. The Raiders are the real deal.
Current Ranking: No. 10
Previous Ranking: No. 11
Movement: Up 1
Analysis: Jack Del Rio's gutsy two-point call deservedly stole headlines. But how about 167 rush yards? And Sebastian Janikowski's last kickoff was clutch.
Current Ranking: No. 12
Previous Ranking: No. 14
Movement: Up 2
Analysis: The Oakland defense was not good enough against the Saints. They have to tighten things up.
