Tom Brady Ranks Raiders in Top 10, Citing Early Season Success
The Raiders' surprising 2-0 start has earned them a high spot in the minority owner's NFL power rankings.
Tom Brady, a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, has placed the team in his top 10 of the NFL power rankings after their unexpected 2-0 start to the season. Brady ranked the Raiders at No. 9, highlighting their strong point differential and quarterback Kirk Cousins' performance.
"Listen, it’s not a hometown biased by me," Brady stated. "Their plus-26 point differential is third in the league. Kirk Cousins six touchdowns in two games. Come on, that’s pretty impressive. They go on the road to SoFi and beat the Chargers."
The Raiders have surprised many with their undefeated record through the first two weeks, including a road victory against a divisional opponent. While acknowledging the small sample size, the consecutive wins signal a positive trajectory for the franchise.
Despite the optimistic start, the Raiders' strength of schedule has been relatively light, facing the Miami Dolphins and the Los Angeles Chargers, both of whom have struggled early in the season. Las Vegas now has an opportunity to achieve its first 3-0 start in five years and only the third this century.
Brady's assessment points to the team's current success as a significant accomplishment, particularly for an organization that has faced challenges in achieving consistent wins.
Under head coach Klint Kubiak, the Raiders' offense has shown flashes of potential, while the defense has been a notable strength. They rank fifth in the league, allowing an average of 27 points per game through two contests. Defensively, the team has also excelled in forcing turnovers, ranking second in the league with five takeaways, trailing only the Carolina Panthers.
Historically, pressuring the quarterback has been a concern for the Raiders, even with player Maxx Crosby on the roster. However, this season, the team has recorded eight sacks, with Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker contributing significantly to tackling efforts, and safety Jeremy Chinn emerging as a key player in creating turnovers.
The Raiders are set to face the New Orleans Saints, who hold a 1-1 record, on Sunday. The Saints are currently favored by three points in what is anticipated to be a closely contested game.