Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Breaking down all 32 teams’ standings in Week 14

By Peter Panacy

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 3: Dion Dawkins #73 of the Buffalo Bills shakes hands with Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots after a game on December 3, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 3: Dion Dawkins #73 of the Buffalo Bills shakes hands with Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots after a game on December 3, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 03: Khalil Mack #52 of the Oakland Raiders strips Geno Smith #3 of the New York Giants of the ball for a turnover during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 3, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 03: Khalil Mack #52 of the Oakland Raiders strips Geno Smith #3 of the New York Giants of the ball for a turnover during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 3, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

11. team. 28. . W, 24-14 vs. Giants. Previous: . Oakland Raiders

We have a little bit of a market correction on the Raiders in our NFL power rankings this week, even though they were able to knock off the visiting Giants in Week 13.

This should have been an opportunity for Oakland’s beleaguered defense to take advantage of quarterback Geno Smith and force him into a bad game. But Smith managed a nice effort with sub-par weapons and a questionable offensive line.

And the fact New York had a chance to make things interesting late suggests these aren’t the kinds of games Oakland wants to win.

Although doing so without wide receivers Michael Crabtree (suspension) and Amari Cooper (concussion) is notable.

Still, the victory gets head coach Jack Del Rio and Co. back to the .500 mark, which is fine in the now-weird AFC West. But the Raiders’ final four games may be pretty tough. Oakland has to travel to take on the Chiefs, host the Cowboys and then wrap up the season with back-to-back road games against the Philadelphia Eagles and Chargers, respectively.

The Raiders might control their own destiny, but they also put themselves in the current situation.