Raiders deemed postseason players in latest power rankings

The Las Vegas Raiders are .500 entering November and have seemingly staved off becoming sellers a week away from the NFL trade deadline.

Kirk Cousins, arguably the team’s most hyped trade candidate, is a big reason why, buying himself more time as the Raiders’ starting quarterback. The 38-year-old ranks second in passing touchdowns (19), third in passing yards (2,124) and seventh in passer rating (101.4).

The narrative entering the trade deadline would be different entering the final week before the trade deadline without Cousins’ three second-half touchdowns that led to a 38-33 comeback victory over the New York Jets.

Las Vegas snapped its four-game losing streak, and instead of advertising a fire sale, can approach the trade deadline open-minded, but not desperate. At 4-4, the Raiders are still in the hunt, a game behind the New England Patriots for the No. 7 seed in the AFC ahead of a Week 9 game with the San Francisco 49ers.

The postseason is still a meaningful consideration for Las Vegas, which is being made even outside Raiders headquarters.

Here’s a roundup of the latest power rankings that aren’t overlooking the Raiders:

Sports Illustrated — 17 (22)

“I can’t be the only one who saw Klint Kubiak open the door just a smidge for Mike Washington Jr. and watched as Washington kicked the thing open, right? It’s a different feel when the rookie out of Arkansas is in the backfield.”

FOX Sports — 17 (20)

“The Raiders’ snapped a four-game losing streak thanks to another impressive performance from QB Kirk Cousins. And yeah, it was only against the Jets, but the Raiders again look like a team that just won’t go away.”

Bleacher Report — 17 (20)

For now, head coach Klint Kubiak is trying to stay in the playoff picture, so expect Cousins to keep the starting job for the foreseeable future. Rookie first-rounder Fernando Mendoza’s time will come, but the .500 Raiders should keep riding Cousins’ arm for now. The Raiders are a flawed team with an inefficient ground attack, averaging three yards per carry, and a leaky defense, but Cousins and the passing game give them a chance to pull off victories.

Yahoo Sports — 17 (22)

The Athletic — 19 (24)

NFL.com — 20 (25)

“The aerial stylings of Kirk Cousins, Brock Bowers and the rest of the crew delivered again, ending the Raiders’ four-game losing skid in a wild, back-and-forth affair against the Jets at MetLife Stadium. Like much of Las Vegas’ 2026 season, I certainly didn’t expect one development to emerge: Rookie Mike Washington Jr. has taken over as the bell cow in Silver and Black, while Ashton Jeanty has become Klint Kubiak’s preferred third-down, pass-catching back — and he’s making a difference in that role. Jeanty caught three passes for 64 yards in the Raiders’ comeback win on Sunday, adding some more dynamism to Vegas’ air game.”

ESPN — 20 (22)

“It’s hard for a franchise that hasn’t had much success over the past few decades to have a level head over a solid start to the season. At 4-4, the Raiders can talk themselves into being playoff contenders.”

CBS Sports — 22 (24)

“They snapped a four-game losing streak by beating the Jets. The offense had a nice day with Kirk Cousins playing well. Fernando Mendoza-time can wait.”

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