Those who have been covering the Raiders specifically -- such as myself -- aren't the only ones who see a big jump in Las Vegas. The national outlets have taken notice as well. Today ESPN's Ben Solak put the Raiders at the top of the list of the NFL's most improved teams.
No team made bigger strides at the two most important positions than the Raiders. Geno Smith is multiple tiers better than Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell, which should provide weekly above-average quarterback play. Pete Carroll is multiple tiers better at head coach than Antonio Pierce, who struggled with in-game and locker room management.