Raiders slide down power rankings as calls for Fernando Mendoza grow louder

So long as the slide continues, the Las Vegas Raiders won’t be able to quiet the calls for Fernando Mendoza.

Dropping a fourth straight game after a 3-0 start to the season, the Raiders’ quarterback situation is under a microscope. Kirk Cousins isn’t to blame, but as Klint Kubiak said when assessing if it’s time to consider the future of the franchise amid the losing skid, “we’re thinking about everything.”

The NFL world is thinking the same thing.

Analysts and commentators around the league are bandying around the idea of Mendoza taking over and whether it is the right time for the No. 1 overall pick. The prospect of Cousins becoming a trade chip is another talker ahead of the league trade deadline on Nov. 10.

The moment appears to be closing in on Mendoza, but when is still to be determined.

A figure who is central to that decision is minority owner Tom Brady, who was a backup his first year in the league.

Brady’s former teammate Rob Gronkowski offered insight into how Brady and the Raiders might handle the Mendoza question.

“I think he’s in a solid spot right now. He’s learning right now. He’s gaining experience through practice reps he’s gaining experience just being on the team as a rookie. I see the Raiders putting Fernando in once Kirk Cousins takes a dip — if he takes a dip, and I don’t really see him taking a dip — or when the Raiders are eliminated out of playoff contention then you look to the future and you put Fernando in,” Gronkowski said Wednesday on “Up & Adams.” “I think its great for him to be sitting… when Fernando proves himself, that he can be a consistent quarterback and be reliable and everyone can trust in him… that’s when he can start.”

The question at quarterback was central in this week’s power rankings despite the acknowledgement the running game and defense need to perform better.

Here’s a roundup of the rankings this week:

Fox Sports — 20 (18)

Bleacher Report — 20 (18)

“At this juncture, the possibility of this year’s No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, taking over Las Vegas’ offense on a full-time basis must be under strong consideration. A Week 13 bye may be too late in the process to get the team’s biggest investment onto the field, because he could use all of the snaps he can get.

On the flip side of the coin, the Raiders still face four of the league’s top 12 defenses over the next five games, which doesn’t even include the Denver Broncos’ talented unit. So, the Raiders have a significant decision to make. Either the coaching staff and organization feel Mendoza is ready no matter who he faces, or the team will have to wait until December before pulling Kirk Cousins from the starting lineup.”

Sports Illustrated — 22 (19)

“Assuming the Raiders can beat the woeful Jets this coming weekend, the subplot of Kirk Cousins remaining the starter versus being a legitimately valuable trade chip (he’s leading the league in touchdown passes!) will thicken. Fernando Mendoza will play at some point, but if the Raiders can get a mid-round pick for Cousins with all their needs, wouldn’t that be difficult to turn down?”

ESPN — 22 (18)

Yahoo Sports — 22 (18)

CBS Sports — 22 (22)

The Athletic — 24 (18)

“After a fourth straight loss on Sunday, Kirk Cousins was asked about how and when the team would turn things over to No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza. It’s not happening yet, but even if Cousins wasn’t the biggest problem Sunday (he threw for 295 yards and two touchdowns, but the Raiders still can’t run the ball), the questions about Mendoza will get louder if Las Vegas drops next weekend’s game in New York.”

NFL.com — 25 (18)