NFL power rankings: Post-preseason 32-team breakdown before Week 1

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 24: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts watches from the sidelines during the fourth quarter of the preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 24: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts watches from the sidelines during the fourth quarter of the preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – AUGUST 29: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders lines up during National Anthem before the preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on August 29, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – AUGUST 29: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders lines up during National Anthem before the preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on August 29, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

Oakland Raiders. 26. team. 28. . . Previous:

Gosh, the whole story between the Oakland Raiders, All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown and helmet grievances has gotten old, hasn’t it?

In fairness to the Raiders, they’ve handled the Brown drama about as well as they could have. But it doesn’t change the fact Brown’s issues have become the focus of a team trying to gain momentum before it’s eventual move to Las Vegas.

And it all but erased what was a pretty impressive win over the Packers north of the border in Week 3 of the NFL preseason.

While Brown is going to draw all the attention early on, for either good or bad reasons, the real focus should be on quarterback Derek Carr and whether or not he can return to his previous Pro Bowl-level of play.

If so, and especially if Brown winds up being the impact playmaker Oakland hopes he can be, helmet issues will soon be forgotten.