SB Nation Bay Area - NFL Power Rankings, Week 4: Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers Both Gaining Some Groundhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48817/bayrea-fave.png2011-09-28T06:26:29-07:00http://bayarea.sbnation.com/rss/stream/22169362011-09-28T06:26:29-07:002011-09-28T06:26:29-07:00NFL Power Rankings: Does ESPN Underrate Raiders, 49ers?
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<p>Lets face facts, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> have not exactly been power houses in the NFL over the past few years. In fact, Bay Area football has been borderline pathetic in recent years. The Raiders have been going through coaches and quarterbacks quicker than Charlie Sheen goes through coke and hookers (sorry, just watched the Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen), while the 49ers have refused to admit to their mistake and continue to start a guy at quarterback who will never be any better than above average.</p>
<p>With both teams now looking as though they are beginning to awaken from their coma's of mediocrity, it is not surprising that the sports pundits have not yet jumped on the band wagon as most still rate the Bay Area football teams based on their recent history as opposed to what they have done this season.</p>
<p>While most clearly have not bought into the Raiders and Niners being good this season, at least one writer at ESPN is starting to buy in. On Tuesday, Chris Sprow, one of ESPN's Insider contributors, wrote an article listing what he believes to be the t<a target="_blank" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7026017/nfl-power-rankings-overrating-buffalo-bills-new-orleans-saints">hree most overrated and three most underrated teams in the NFL's list of power rankings</a>. (Note: you can only access the story if you are an ESPN Insider subscriber). Tops on the list for most underrated? The Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers.</p>
<p>The Oakland Raiders were listed at number 13 while the 49ers were listed at number 20 in this week's edition of the ESPN NFL power rankings. In previous seasons, these rankings would really not appear that low, especially for the Oakland Raiders who have found themselves ranked in the top half of the league. However, with two new head coaches who appear to have found a way to get more out of these teams than anyone else in recent history, these rankings really do appear to be underrating the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers.</p>
<p>Just over one week ago, it appeared that the Raiders may not be ready to make the leap to being a good team after losing a heart breaker in Buffalo. Fast forward a week and suddenly the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Bills</a> look like a pretty darn good team, and the Raiders physically dominated one of the most physical teams in the NFL.</p>
<p>The 49ers on the other hand, have not looked very strong on the offensive side of the ball this year (they were unable to even cross the 50 yard line in the first half of last weekend's game) but Jim Harbaugh has their defense looking great and is making sure the offense does just enough while protecting the ball and field position. If not for an incredibly close overtime loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a>, the 49ers would be undefeated this season.</p>
<p>Sprow believes that if the 49ers can continue to get passable play from Alex Smith, then the NFC West is there for the Niners to take. As he puts it, his listing of the 49ers as being underrated, is by no means a love letter, but rather is an acknowledgment of how bad the NFC West is and an acknowledgment of the fact that Jim Harbaugh and his coaching staff clearly know what they are doing.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Sprow believes that the Raiders are underrated for two reasons. First, he does not believe that the ESPN rankings give sufficient credit to the potential of the Raiders. Right now, Oakland is riding on the back of a very young offensive line, young receivers, young defensive ends and a whole lot of youth in the team's back up positions. If these players continue to develop at the rate the have been, the Raiders could be scary. Second, Sprow notes that the Raiders went 6-0 against the AFC West last season and still has five of those games remaining. With the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Chiefs</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a> still struggling, only the two games against San Diego should be close if the Raiders continue to play the way they did against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">Jets</a>.</p>
<p>This week, both teams will face tough tests that will go a long way towards either proving that they have been underrated and are better than most think, or could burst the bubble of Bay Area fans. The Raiders will take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> at home while the San Francisco 49ers will take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> on the road. Either way, after this week, expect there to be movement on the power rankings of both the Raiders and the 49ers.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2011/9/28/2455250/nfl-power-rankings-week-4-espn-oakland-raiders-san-francisco-49ersJames Arcellana2011-09-27T10:43:25-07:002011-09-27T10:43:25-07:00NFL Power Rankings, Week 4: ESPN Boosts Raiders, Lions, Bills The Most
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<p>ESPN released their <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/powerrankings" target="_blank">week four NFL Power Rankings</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> joined the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> as the biggest beneficiaries. The Lions climbed from No. 11 to No. 4, the Bills climbed from No. 16 to No. 6 and the Raiders climbed from No. 20 to No. 13. Of those three, the Raiders and Lions have the best chance to improve their position even more so as they face the Patriots and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Cowboys</a>, respectively.</p>
<p>The Raiders host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> in a game that could give us a real sense of how much the Raiders belong. The win over the Jets was big and is proof they are contenders in the AFC West. However, I would argue a win over the Patriots would elevate the Raiders into the discussion for true contender in the AFC. The Raiders hung with a crazy Buffalo Bills offense, coming up just short. They've gone into a division rival (even if it's a struggling Denver) and got a win. They also showed an ability to bounce back in defeating a tough Jets squad.</p>
<p>On the other side of the Bay, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a> received a modest boost from No. 23 to No. 20 following an ugly road win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>. They climbed ahead of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jaguars</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">Rams</a> with their win. I'm a bit surprised the Rams are rated No. 31 given how tough their schedule has been to date. Eventually a team does need to start winning, but I'd still take them ahead of Indianapolis and Minnesota.</p>
<p>ESPN's rankings do show one of the problems with the power rankings. The Steelers remain a top ten team even though their only strong performance came against an abysmal <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> team. That close win over Indianapolis not worthy of a top ten spot.</p>
<p><b>ESPN Top Ten</b><br>1. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a><br>2. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a><br>3. New England Patriots<br>4. Detroit Lions<br>5. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a><br>6. Buffalo Bills<br>7. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a><br>8. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a><br>9. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">San Diego Chargers</a><br>10. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/9/27/2453006/nfl-power-rankings-week-4-espn-raiders-lions-bills-49ersDavid Fucillo2011-09-27T10:05:10-07:002011-09-27T10:05:10-07:00NFL Power Rankings, Week 4: How Much Respect Do The Raiders & 49ers Deserve?
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<p>The latest edition of NFL Power Rankings are coming out and while power rankings in general are a simple basis for discussion, it does raise the question of where the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> sit on the NFL's totem pole. While they are both 2-1, they have gone about things in much different ways lately and likely have earned different levels of respect.</p>
<p>The Raiders are coming off a thumping of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a> in which they proved once again how strong their rushing attack is. While the Raiders are putting together a solid passing game, this team will go as far as <span>Darren McFadden</span> takes them. <span>Jason Campbell</span> has great weapons in <span>Denarius Moore</span> and <span>Jacoby Ford</span>, but McFadden is the engine of this team.</p>
<p>While I personally gave the Raiders <a target="_blank" href="http://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/9/27/2452008/2011-nfl-power-rankings-week-3-raiders-eagles-49ers/in/2216936">a pretty sizable bounce this week</a>, the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2011/9/27/2452353/nfl-power-rankings-2011-week-4-bills-lions-falcons-eagles">SB Nation Week 4 NFL Power Rankings</a> were slightly more modest. Nonetheless, they bumped them eight spots from No. 23 to No. 15. This shows both respect and caution. The Raiders face a huge challenge this weekend when they welcome the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> to town. The Patriots will give the Raiders defense one of its toughest challenges to date. The Raiders offense will potentially need to win another shootout, two weeks after dropping such a contest to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a>. The Raiders are a legit contender for the AFC West title, but this weekend could tell us how legit they are as an overall playoff contender.</p>
<p>On the other side of the Bay you've got the San Francisco 49ers. In my own power rankings I moved them up one spot. In <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2011/9/27/2452353/nfl-power-rankings-2011-week-4-bills-lions-falcons-eagles" target="_blank">SB Nation's NFL Power Rankings</a>, they did not move from their spot at No. 20. While the 49ers did get a road win against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>, it was as modest a win as a team can probably have. Ugly wins count the same as pretty wins in the standings, but for the purposes of perception, it did not do a whole lot for the 49ers and remaining right around the same spot is reasonable. Now, if they can go into Philly and spring an upset on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Eagles</a>, maybe then we can talk about moving them around.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/9/27/2452916/nfl-power-rankings-week-4-raiders-49ers-sb-nationDavid Fucillo2011-09-27T05:01:37-07:002011-09-27T05:01:37-07:00NFL Power Rankings, Week 4: Oakland Raiders Get Much Needed Boost
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<img alt="OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: Fans of the Oakland Raiders cheer against the New York Jets at O.co Coliseum on September 25, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lwl5fjH1_jzZjiH8fl0EHfM7bDw=/0x0:1000x667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/4198645/126567142.jpg" />
<figcaption>OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: Fans of the Oakland Raiders cheer against the New York Jets at O.co Coliseum on September 25, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>We provide a look at the state of the NFL in our week four power rankings. The Raiders make a big jump while the 49ers get a modest gain from their victory over the Bengals.</p> <p>We're through three weeks of NFL action and some of the surprises around the league are on the verge of proving they are absolutely for real. In <a href="http://bayarea.sbnation.com/2011/9/20/2437098/nfl-power-rankings-week-2-buffalo-bills/in/2201970" target="_blank">last week's NFL Power Rankings</a>, I had the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> relatively high, but I was also a bit concerned that I might be overrating them, or at least overrating the Bills. They both came through in week three with big wins, particularly the Bills overcoming a big early deficit to secure the win over New England. I think by season's end the Patriots will be on top of the AFC East, but for now I'm willing to give the Bills the nudge they deserve.</p>
<p>One of the problems with power rankings early in the season is that it can be difficult to accurately gauge where a team is at through the first month of the season. I have some ideas each week, but then more often than not a few of those ideas are blown to kingdom come. As these rankings show, I've moved some teams quite a bit. This shows how my own perceptions change week to week. Or it shows how wrong I was last week. Take your pick.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> made the biggest climb this week moving from No. 18 to No. 7. If they get stomped by New England this Sunday many will view this ranking as an overreaction. However, even in their one defeat the Raiders looked impressive enough to convince me they are legit. They'll be battling San Diego to the wire for the division title, but I do think they'll stick around and prove to be one of the top third teams in the league.</p>
<p>The biggest drop in the rankings saw the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> fall from No. 5 to No. 15. Part of this is the loss of <span>Michael Vick</span>, even if it is just a hand bruise. I expect them to bounce back by season's end, but for now they really don't look much better than a middle of the road team.</p>
<p>As you can see I've got some 1-2 teams a bit higher than 2-1 teams and also have some 0-3 teams above 1-2 teams. My own subjective biases about those teams are coming into play and impacting what I think. For example, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a> are 0-3, but I am fairly certain the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> are worse than both of them. The Seahawks pulled off a division home win, but they are going to be fairly awful much of the rest of the way. I have faith.</p>
<p>On to the Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (<a href="http://bayarea.sbnation.com/2011/9/20/2437098/nfl-power-rankings-week-2-buffalo-bills/in/2201970" target="_blank">previous week</a> in parenthesis). As always, feel free to tweet your disagreements to <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/sbnbayarea" target="_blank">@sbnbayarea</a>:</p>
<p>1. (1) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> (3-0)<br>2. (3) Detroit Lions (3-0)<br>3. (6) Buffalo Bills (3-0)<br>4. (2) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> (2-1)<br>5. (7) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> (2-1)<br>6. (4) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a> (2-1)<br>7. (18) Oakland Raiders (2-1)<br>8. (11) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> (2-1)<br>9. (13) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> (2-1)<br>10. (16) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> (2-1)<br>11. (14) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">San Diego Chargers</a> (2-1)<br>12. (15) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> (2-1)<br>13. (10) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a> (2-1)<br>14. (12) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> (1-2)<br>15. (5) Philadelphia Eagles (1-2)<br>16. (8) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a> (2-1)<br>17. (9) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> (1-2) (24)<br>18. (19) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a><span> (2-1)<br>19. (24) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> (2-1)<br>20. (21) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Tennessee Titans</a> (2-1)<br>21. (17) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> (2-1)<br>22. (20) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> (1-2)<br>23. (23) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a> (1-2)<br>24. (28) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> (1-2)<br>25. (27) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> (1-2)<br>26. (22) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> (1-2)<br>27. (25) St. Louis Rams (0-3)<br>28. (26) Miami Dolphins (0-3)<br>29. (31) Seattle Seahawks (1-2)<br>30. (30) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> (0-3)<br>31. (29) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> (0-3)<br>32. (32) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Indianapolis Colts</a> (0-3)</span></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-raiders/2011/9/27/2452008/2011-nfl-power-rankings-week-3-raiders-eagles-49ersDavid Fucillo