The Las Vegas Raiders are 2 - 8 after losing their last primetime matchup of 2025 to America's team, the Dallas Cowboys. Despite both of these teams having losing records, the Raiders were severely outmatched on both sides of the floor and couldn't hang with the Cowboys.
As expected, the Raiders' offense struggled to deal with the new and improved Cowboys defense, and their own defense had no chance of stopping the high-flying Cowboys' offense. How did their loss affect their placements on the power rankings?
Pete Carroll
Nov 17, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll on the sidelines against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Thomas Valentine is a sports writer for Pro Football Focus, and he wrote an article ranking each team heading into Week 12. After slowly dropping week after week, something had to give, and the Raiders dropped three spots after their loss to the Cowboys to become the 27th-ranked team in the NFL.
"Things aren’t clicking for Pete Carroll’s Raiders, especially on offense. The blocking from the offensive line (56.5 pass blocking grade; 25th, 54.8 run blocking grade; 26th) has set the offense back", said Valentine.
Pete Carroll
Oct 19, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll reacts during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images / Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
There's no hope for the 2025 Raiders to turn things around and make a push for the postseason. All they've done this season is crash and burn, and continuously, all Raider Nation and the rest of the NFL world can do is marvel at how they got themselves in this position.
"Quarterback Geno Smith (63.4 grade; 29th) was pressured on 40.8% of his dropbacks against the Cowboys and was sacked four times. Smith’s overall play has been disappointing, and he’s flatlined when pressured, throwing a league-leading six interceptions with a 42.4 grade. The Raiders were dominated by the Cowboys on Monday night and fell to 2-8 on the season. It’s hard to see where this team goes next".
Geno Smith
Nov 17, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws the ball against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Their next opponent is the Cleveland Browns, and they boast a defense even better than the Cowboys'. They're sure to put pressure on Geno Smith and cause the Raiders to lose the game when he inevitably throws an interception due to the stress Myles Garrett and the rest of the Browns' defensive line will get on their offensive line.
If the Raiders are able to rebound successfully against the Browns, their placement in the rankings will go up. However, they have to ask themselves whether they even want to win this game. The Browns are competing with them for a top pick in the 2026 NFL draft; a loss to them would improve their chances of sneaking into the top five picks.
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