The Raiders’ path to a 3-0 start runs straight through New Orleans, and it starts with making Tyler Shough uncomfortable.
Las Vegas heads into a matchup with the Saints looking to open a season 3-0 for the first time since 2021. It’s technically their second straight road game, but this one comes without the safety net of a home crowd.
New Orleans, meanwhile, is riding some momentum after a comeback road win in Week 2, a 24-17 victory over the Baltimore Ravens that included 15 fourth-quarter points. That followed a near-rally in overtime against the Detroit Lions the week before.
A big reason the Saints have gotten off to this start is Shough. In his second year in the NFL, he’s already second in the league in passing yards, and Kellen Moore has leaned on him to run the offense.
But the matchup tilts toward Las Vegas if Rob Leonard’s defense can turn up the heat.
Shough has already been sacked eight times in two games, and he’s the most pressured quarterback in the league so far this season. His tendency to drift out of the pocket has played a part in that, with a pressure-to-sack ratio of 23%, according to PFF. That’s exactly the kind of vulnerability the Raiders can attack.
Leonard’s group has been bringing it all season, posting a 50% pressure rate through Weeks 1 and 2. They’ve done it with exotic blitzes and simulated pressures, and that variety has helped them consistently get into opposing backfields.
The concern for New Orleans is what happens if Shough starts feeling that rush. He’s shown a knack for making plays when blitzes don’t get home, but pressure has also led him into bad decisions.
One example came against the Lions in Week 1. On a levels concept over the middle, Alim McNeil beat the interior line and got pressure up the middle, forcing Shough into an errant throw that became a pick for Detroit.
That’s the formula Las Vegas needs to chase on Sunday. If Leonard can keep manufacturing pressure, the Raiders have a real chance to disrupt Shough and control the game on the road.
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Raiders Head Into Saints Game With Key Availability Still Unsettled
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The one clear absence is rookie safety Treydan Stukes, who remains out with a concussion, and veteran Isaiah Pola-Mao is set to start in his place. Between that shuffle in the secondary and the possibility of Brock Bowers returning, there is still a fair amount for the Raiders to monitor before kickoff, especially with Klint Kubiak and Kirk Cousins both pointing to how important the defensive response will be in New Orleans. [Read more 🡒]
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The Raiders head into Week 3 with a chance to build on a 3-0 start, but the Saints present a specific kind of problem that has already shown up on film. Under coordinator Brandon Staley, New Orleans has leaned into a blitzing concept against teams that operate from under-center looks, and it helped create pressure problems for the Ravens. For Las Vegas, that means this is not just another early-season test, but a matchup that could hinge on how well the offense handles a wrinkle designed to disrupt timing before a play can fully develop.
One possible answer is to lean into personnel that can help steady the picture and give the offense more flexibility. The Raiders may turn to fullback Connor Heyward in 21 personnel, a setup that could help them counter the Saints pressure looks while opening up more options around the formation. It is the kind of adjustment that does not guarantee clean answers, but it does give Las Vegas a path to keep its offense from getting boxed in by a defense that is clearly looking to force one. [Read more 🡒]
Kirk Cousins Is Already Testing What Raiders Fans Hoped He'd Bring
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The leadership piece may be just as important as the on-field fit. Cousins is already embracing that role, and for a Raiders team trying to build some early momentum in a division where Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes remain central figures, a calm and engaged veteran can carry real weight. What remains to be seen is how far that comfort and leadership will translate once the games start asking for more than a good feel in September. [Read more 🡒]