After a convincing 34-20 win over the New York Jets Sunday afternoon at O.co Coliseum, the Oakland Raiders have crept above .500 and now hold an overall record of 4-3.
The Silver and Black's next opponent is the Pittsburgh Steelers, but before the team prepares to travel to Pittsburgh, let's take a look at what the national media is saying about the Raiders.
Week 9 Ranking: 11
Week 8 Ranking: 15
Movement: Up 5
Week 9 Ranking: 11
Week 8 Ranking: 14
Movement: Up 3
Analysis: At 4-3, they have to be one of the biggest surprises of the season so far. Jack Del Rio has this young team getting better by the week.
Week 9 Ranking: 9
Week 8 Ranking: 16
Movement: Up 7
Analysis: If the season ended today, the Raiders would be the five seed in the AFC playoffs. That is not a typo. They also have only three remaining games against teams currently above .500.
Week 9 Ranking: 12
Week 8 Ranking: 14
Movement: Up 2
Analysis: Derek Carr has thrown for 622 passing yards and seven touchdowns on 67 attempts in his past two games for a 9.3 average yards per attempt. Only five quarterbacks with at least 200 attempts have averaged more yards per pass in 2015.
Week 9 Ranking: 9
Week 8 Ranking: N/A
Movement: N/A
Analysis: Stop the presses. Raiders ninth in the Fine Fifteen. Love their offensive weaponry. Next two weeks should tell the tale with this team: at Pittsburgh Sunday, Vikes at home the following Sunday.
Week 9 Ranking: 10
Week 8 Ranking: 15
Movement: Up 5
Analysis: Another win for the resurgent Raiders, who put on an offensive display in the first half of this very important victory. Looking at the playoff picture in the AFC, Oakland now has a leg up on the Jets in the wild-card fight and could widen its lead on the Le'Veon Bell-less Steelers at Heinz Field this weekend. And for those who thought this Raiders' air attack was too Amari-centric, that was Andre Holmes, Michael Crabtree and Taiwan Jones out there making Jets tacklers look silly Sunday.
Week 9 Ranking: 9
Week 8 Ranking: 14
Movement: Up 5
Analysis: They're in the top 10; indignant Raiders fans will now insist they should be in the top five.
Week 9 Ranking: 13
Week 8 Ranking: 17
Movement: Up 4
Analysis: With no obvious frontrunner, it's time to start bandying Khalil Mack's name into defensive player of the year discussions.
Week 9 Ranking: 12
Week 8 Ranking: 19
Movement: Up 7
Analysis: Time to call it: Derek Carr is a future franchise quarterback. Heck, might be able to eliminate "future." He's good. The Raiders hit the draft jackpot.
