The Raiders did not receive a lot of national buzz coming out of the preseason, but they upset the Broncos in Denver in Week 1. Defeating Sean Payton in his debut with the Broncos is a good way to get some positive attention in the NFL.
But just how much respect did they gain from the national media this week In a recent article by Nate Davis of USA Today, he ranked all 32 teams after their Week 1 performance. The Raiders slid up in his rankings, coming in at No. 24 after previously being ranked at No. 30.
One of the reasons the Raiders moved up in the rankings (outside of just the win) was due to the performance of veteran WR Jakobi Meyers. Meyers led the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns in Week 1 and his signing has already paid dividends for Las Vegas:
WR Jakobi Meyers’ wild Silver-and-Black ride continues. The guy who infamously gave away a game in Las Vegas last year as a member of the Pats debuted with his new team by scoring two TDs, including the game-winner in the fourth quarter at Denver, before being concussed on a brutal hit.
Meyers did leave the game with a concussion and his status for Week 2 appears to be in doubt. But it’s clear that he is a great fit with Jimmy Garoppolo and should have a major role in the offense all season long.
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