The next three games could end up telling the whole story for the Las Vegas Raiders.
A 3-0 start had them looking like one of the early surprises of the season, with wins over the Dolphins, Chargers, and Saints. But the picture has changed fast. Las Vegas has dropped three straight to the Chiefs, Patriots, and Bills, and the numbers behind those results are hard to ignore: the Raiders’ three wins have come against teams with a combined 2-15 record, while their three losses have come against opponents sitting at a combined 14-3.
So the question is simple: was that fast start real, or just a flash? The answer is likely coming soon, because the Raiders are heading into a stretch that will say plenty about where this season is going.
The trade deadline is Nov. 10, and the weeks leading up to it are where teams have to show their hand. Las Vegas’ final game before that deadline comes against the San Francisco 49ers on Nov. 8, with matchups against the Rams and Jets also on the docket. That gives the Raiders a short runway to decide whether they’re pushing in or pulling back.
If the team stays in the playoff conversation, general manager John Spytek could look for help. But if the losses keep piling up and Las Vegas slips to 3-6 or 4-5, the front office might start looking ahead instead. That could even mean exploring a move for pass rusher Maxx Crosby, especially with several contenders in need of edge rushers and the team potentially able to maximize his value.
At quarterback, Kirk Cousins has been one of the more encouraging stories on the roster. After the past two years in Atlanta made it look like the 38-year-old was running out of gas, he has looked revived in Klint Kubiak’s system. Cousins has thrown for 1,582 yards, 14 touchdowns, and five interceptions while completing 63.4 percent of his passes.
Still, as the losses mount, the pressure will grow on the coaching staff to hand the offense over to rookie quarterback Mendoza. That move wouldn’t automatically mean the Raiders are done trying to compete at the deadline, but it would be a clear sign that the staff no longer believes Cousins is the best answer.
Either way, the next few weeks will shape how the Raiders view the rest of their 2026 season. If the losing continues, the shift toward the future could come quickly, and Cousins himself could even become a trade candidate.
In Other News...
Raiders Are Still Reworking The Roster As The Spotlight Grows
The Raiders kept shuffling the edges of the roster this week, adding offensive tackles Amari Kight and Darian Kinnard to the practice squad while moving on from offensive lineman Evan Neal and tight end Chris Myarick. It is the kind of late-season housekeeping that often gets buried, but it matters for a team still trying to stabilize itself up front and keep enough depth in place as the workload and scrutiny keep rising.
The spotlight has only intensified around Las Vegas after its games against the Bills and Chiefs landed among the most-watched programs of the week on CBS Sports. The attention has not all been flattering, either, with Bills safety CJ Gardner-Johnson suspended after being ejected for spitting on Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, another reminder that these games are carrying plenty of heat beyond the scoreboard. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Face A Costly O-Line Decision At Exactly The Right Time
With the Raiders sitting at 3-3, the timing could not be more delicate. A playoff run is still within reach, but the offense has not yet looked like a group that can simply muscle through the second half without help up front. That is why the conversation around the offensive line is getting louder, especially with the run game still needing a real jolt.
One name that keeps surfacing is Indianapolis guard Quenton Nelson, a premium lineman who would immediately change the look of Las Vegas up front. The problem is that a move like that would not come cheap, and the Raiders would have to weigh the value of making a push now against the draft capital and long-term money it might take to pull off a deal. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Trade Deadline Focus Comes Down To One Crucial Roster Decision
The Raiders are heading into the trade deadline with several areas on the radar, but the conversation keeps circling back to the offensive line. Las Vegas has been weighing possible upgrades up front, while also looking at the defensive backfield and wide receiver spots as it evaluates where help might matter most. Head coach Klint Kubiak has pointed to the development and challenges along the line and in the secondary, a reminder that this roster is still trying to find its most reliable combinations.
Jalen Nailors return has given the receiver room a needed boost, but the bigger issue remains how to strengthen the group around him without shortchanging other areas. Run blocking has been part of the concern, and the Raiders also know they need more depth at guard and receiver as they sort through their deadline options. The decision now is less about whether there is room to improve and more about which weakness deserves to be addressed first. [Read more 🡒]