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2018 NFL Power Rankings Week 2: Eagles barely hold off Falcons

By Dan Parzych

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 06: Jordan Hicks #58 and Chris Long #56 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrate after sacking Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on September 6, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 06: Jordan Hicks #58 and Chris Long #56 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrate after sacking Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on September 6, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

17. Oakland Raiders

Between the decision to send Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears to Martavis Bryant facing a year-long suspension, there’s been plenty of drama surrounding the Oakland Raiders heading into the first year under Jon Gruden. Around this time last year, the Raiders were viewed as one of the top candidates in the AFC to take down the New England Patriots when looking at all of the talent they had to work with one year after finally putting an end to their playoff drought.

As football fans know, that was far from the case after Oakland ended up being a complete bust for the most part in 2017 by only winning six games, despite starting off the year with a 2-0 record. The Raiders may no longer have Mack in the picture to provide the defense with an extra advantage, but if all goes well on offense with Gruden’s history of quarterback development, Derek Carr should see his game elevate to a whole new level.

Facing a top defensive unit in the Los Angeles Rams won’t be easy, but Monday’s game will be a great opportunity for Carr to show whatever progress he’s made in the offseason, if any at all. At least with a duo in Amari Cooper and Jordy Nelson along with Marshawn Lynch in the backfield, Oakland is setting Carr up to succeed.

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