Seldom do the Las Vegas Raiders garner any respect from the national media or rival NFL fan bases. Part of this is warranted, as the team has not won a playoff game since the 2002 season when Rich Gannon was the team's quarterback.
However, analysts and observers typically have a hard time calling a spade a spade and giving proper credit to the Silver and Black when they make a solid move. This offseason has been a change of pace, however, under Pete Carroll and John Spytek.
The additions of Geno Smith, Germaine Pratt and Raheem Mostert, as well as the team's 11 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, have all been met with strong receptions.
On Friday, EA Sports released the initial beta team ratings for Madden 26. Unsurprisingly, the Raiders were in the lower half of the league with an 81 overall rating.
However, the Raiders were rated two points higher than the Denver Broncos, who sat at a 79 overall despite a 10-win season in 2024.
Las Vegas won just four games last season, but it is a new era for the Silver and Black. The additions of Smith, Pratt and Mostert are just the tip of the iceberg, as rookie running back Ashton Jeanty is a massive upgrade and second-year tight end Brock Bowers is already one of the best in the league.
Denver has one of the best defenses in the NFL, highlighted by 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II. They also added Evan Engram, Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw this offseason, but still sit below the Raiders.
Last season, the Broncos swept the Raiders, which marked the first time since 2019 that Denver has defeated the Silver and Black. This year, they'll have to wait until a Week 10 Thursday Night Football matchup to face off, then a rematch will take place in Week 14.
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