After what was a brutal week following their loss to the Carolina Panthers, the Las Vegas Raiders bounced back in a big way to defeat the Cleveland Browns in Week 4, 20-16.
Granted, the win certainly wasn't pretty, as the offense struggled once again for the most part, but the defense stepped up in a big way without multiple starters and the rushing attack finally found some life.
Making the win more impressive was the fact that Las Vegas had to overcome a 10-point deficit early on, which showed that, despite all the negativity surrounding the "business decisions" and whatnot, this team still has some fight in it.
The Raiders were on the brink of being at the very bottom of the NFL Power Rankings of experts last week, but the victory over the Browns will not only prevent that this week, it has the Raiders moving up. Let's see where they land.
NFL Power Rankings Week 5: Raiders
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: 24 (+6)
Iyer: "The Raiders dug deep after being challenged by their coach Antonio Pierce, outlasting the Browns with intense, defensive-minded play despite missing Maxx Crosby (ankle)."
Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: 21 (+4)
Cluff: "The Raiders rushed for 152 yards against the Browns. They hadn't rushed for more than 55 yards in a game in the first three weeks of the season."
Matt Johnson, Sportsnaut: 26 (+3)
Johnson: "In a battle of two bad NFL teams, the Las Vegas Raiders proved to be the best. That’s also saying something considering Davante Adams and Maxx Crosby didn’t play in Week 4. Still, it feels like Antonio Pierce is more talk than substance at this point – still waiting for the ‘business decisions’ he promised publicly – and Las Vegas still looks like a mediocre football team."
Taylor Wirth, NBC Sports: 25 (+1)
Wirth: "The Raiders are so funny. A win over the Ravens was followed by a loss to the Panthers, followed by a win over the Browns. They have that dog in them at the most random times."
Walter Cherepinsky, Walter Football: 21 (no change)
Cherepinsky: "The Raiders had a real chance to beat the Chargers in Week 1, so they could be 3-1 right now. It was impressive that they beat the Browns despite not having Davante Adams or Maxx Crosby. Granted, the opposing quarterback was Deshaun Watson, but the Raiders was very shorthanded."
MORE LAS VEGAS RAIDERS NEWS
What Jack Jones, Antonio Pierce said about Week 4 benching
AJ Cole had epic celebration after great punt vs. Browns
Raiders vs. Browns final score, recap, highlights
