The Las Vegas Raiders jumped six spots in this week's NFL power rankings after improving to 3-0, making them the first team in the common draft era to start a season 3-0 after selecting a quarterback No. 1 overall the previous spring, according to ESPN Research.
Las Vegas took Fernando Mendoza with the top pick in April. The Raiders also snapped a franchise-worst streak of 39 straight regular-season games without scoring 30 points, doing so in their win over the Saints.
Week 3 produced 12 games decided by eight points or fewer on Sunday, tying the NFL record for the most such games in a single day, per ESPN Research. The close finishes shook up the rankings, which are compiled by a panel of more than a dozen NFL analysts who vote teams from No. 1 to 32.
New England tumbled six more spots after Drake Maye posted a 15.5 Total QBR in a blowout loss to Jacksonville, the worst mark of his career in a game with at least 15 dropbacks. Through three games, the Patriots' offense is averaging the lowest EPA per play and points per drive of any team since the 2023 Jets, who started Zach Wilson at quarterback.
Tampa Bay sits at 0-3 and ranks ahead of only Tennessee and Miami. It is the Bucs' worst start since 2014, when they finished 2-14 in Jason Licht's first year as general manager. Licht still holds that job.
The outlook in Tampa Bay may get worse. Baker Mayfield is out with a thumb injury, and the team expects to start undrafted rookie free agent Jalon Daniels in his place for at least the next three weeks.
Elsewhere in the rankings, the top team held its No. 1 spot for a second straight week. The full 1-32 list also includes a fantasy surprise for every club, selected using ESPN Fantasy draft rankings, average draft position and current PPR scoring leaders.
The Raiders' surge marks the second consecutive week they have climbed six spots. Their 3-0 record is their best start since 2002, the season after they last reached the Super Bowl.
