The Raiders snapped their four-game losing streak in Week 8, edging the New York Jets 38-33 at MetLife Stadium, but the win came with plenty of warning signs attached.
Las Vegas needed its offense to carry the day because the defense was once again stretched thin. The Raiders gave up 7.2 yards per play, struggled to contain the Jets in the first half and have now allowed 30 points or more in five straight games. If that happens again next week, they’ll set an NFL record for the most consecutive games surrendering at least 30 points.
Still, Klint Kubiak’s offense delivered when it had to. Kirk Cousins was efficient, and the ground game helped close things out in the four-minute drill. The Raiders may need their defense to find some answers fast, but the offense is operating like one of the league’s better units.
The clearest sign of that came in the run game, where the Raiders leaned into outside zone in a way they haven’t for much of the season. When Kubiak was hired, the expectation was that Las Vegas would feature a wide zone system, and the roster was built with that in mind.
On Sunday, the Raiders finally committed to it. They ran outside zone on 36 percent of their rushing plays, more than any other run concept, and found real success with it.
Those runs produced a 50 percent success rate and 5.3 yards per carry.
That kind of comfort up front stood out, and it’s something fans should expect to keep seeing with Trey Zuhn III in the lineup at right guard.
The other side of the ball was a mess. The Jets piled up explosive plays all afternoon, finishing with 15 in total between the run and pass game.
That was the most explosive game the Raiders have allowed this season, and it topped the previous high-water mark of 13 by a wide margin. Rob Leonard has plenty to clean up, and quickly, because the San Francisco 49ers are next.
If this doesn’t get fixed, things could get ugly in Santa Clara.
One bright spot that keeps showing up is Las Vegas’ work in 12 personnel. Michael Mayer and Brock Bowers continue to look like the NFL’s best tight end duo, with both ranking in the top five among tight ends in yards and receptions. They’ve become the offense’s main passing threats, and the numbers back that up.
In 12 personnel, Cousins completed 11 of 12 passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns. The Raiders also ran for 31 yards on six carries in those looks, a 5.17-yard average. That package creates stress for defenses because they expect the pass first, with Bowers and Mayer on the field together.
It also raises a bigger question about what the Raiders want their wide receiver room to look like this offseason. Mayer and Bowers aren’t going anywhere, and they should remain the center of the offense for the foreseeable future.
In Other News...
Mark Davis Just Weighed In On The Raiders QB Tension
The Raiders quarterback picture has a little more clarity from the top, even if the timetable still feels fluid. In a CNBC interview, owner Mark Davis said he does not feel any pressure to rush rookie Fernando Mendoza onto the field this season, a notable stance for a team trying to balance development with stability at the games most important position.
Davis also framed Kirk Cousins as the kind of veteran presence that can help bridge the gap while Mendoza keeps learning the professional game. He said the rookie is progressing well, but there is no need to force the issue right away, which leaves the Raiders with a patient approach for now and a bigger question still hanging over when the next chapter actually begins. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Face A Brutal Maxx Crosby Decision As Deadline Nears
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The challenge for the Raiders is obvious: Crosby remains central to what they do, especially with the current state of the defensive line, yet his value could be at its peak if the team ever decided to listen. Even with the possibility of significant offers coming in, Las Vegas would have to weigh the immediate hit to its defense against the kind of return it would demand to even consider moving one of the franchises most important players. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Fans Just Got A New Reminder Of Al Davis Legacy
Christian Bale is helping bring one of the most influential figures in Raiders history back into the spotlight. Speaking on ESPNs SportsCenter, Bale discussed his role in David O. Russells upcoming movie Madden and described Al Davis as a complicated force who rose through the organization and left a lasting imprint on the Raiders and the NFL.
For Raiders fans, the timing makes the reminder feel especially relevant, with the film set to arrive during the 2026 NFL season. Bale also pointed to Davis once a Raider, always a Raider mindset, along with his civil rights record and broader impact on the league, underscoring why Davis remains such a central part of the franchises identity. [Read more 🡒]