The Raiders walk into Week 3 with something bigger than just a chance to go 3-0. They’re staring at an opportunity to match last season’s win total by Sunday, a remarkable turn for a team that was the worst in football almost 10 months ago.
Las Vegas’ rise has been quick enough to catch even the skeptics off guard. The organization - head coach Klint Kubiak, general manager John Spytek, minority owner Tom Brady, and majority owner Mark Davis - has stayed committed to a deliberate plan, and that approach has the Raiders in position to matter much sooner than expected.
That doesn’t mean the rebuild is over. It isn’t.
The record may be shiny, but this is still a team being shaped, not finished. Even so, two games in, the Raiders have already shown real substance, especially on defense.
Rob Leonard’s unit has been one of the toughest in football so far, and the blend of talent around it has given Las Vegas a firm identity early.
There are still rough edges, though. Consistency remains an issue, and that could eventually become a problem for quarterback Kirk Cousins. It has already shown up at wide receiver and on the defensive line, too.
What stands out most is that Kubiak’s team has been able to push through those issues so far. If that continues, it gives the Raiders a chance to keep surviving the kind of stretches that usually expose a young team. From the opening whistle to the final snap, they’ve made games difficult for opponents.
Sunday in New Orleans offers another test, but also a clear opening. The Saints will bring a loud Superdome and plenty of confidence, with their passing game off to one of the best starts in the league. Still, against a New Orleans team that may or may not win the NFC South, the Raiders have a real shot to leave with a statement.
A 3-0 start would change the conversation fast. It would push Las Vegas into the center of the AFC discussion and force people to take the Raiders seriously in the AFC West. At the same time, history offers a warning: the 2021 Carolina Panthers started 3-0 with Sam Darnold and still finished 5-12, missing the playoffs.
Whether this turns into something much bigger for the Raiders remains to be seen. But Kubiak has been hired for a reason, and he’s already shown the kind of leadership players respond to.
He gives his offense a chance to win, and he could do the same in New Orleans. If that happens, the overreactions will come fast.
In Other News...
Raiders Win Streak Cant Hide One Defensive Concern
The Raiders third straight win came with plenty to like from a roster that is starting to find its rhythm. Kicker Gay supplied nine points in the first half, linebacker Dean helped keep the Saints from getting comfortable on the ground, and tight end Bowers kept the offense moving with seven catches for 87 yards before halftime.
Still, the tape left at least one uneasy note for a defense that has otherwise benefited from the winning run. Safety Isaiah Pola-Mao had a rough afternoon against New Orleans, and rookie Masses also ran into problems in coverage on Chris Olave, a reminder that even while the results are stacking up, there are still vulnerable spots for opponents to attack. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Just Exposed One Problem That Could Matter Vs Chiefs
Las Vegas kept its momentum rolling with a 35-27 win over the Saints, and the third straight victory has made the early shift under Klint Kubiak look increasingly real. Brock Bowers remains the kind of weapon the offense can lean on, giving the Raiders a centerpiece who changes how defenses have to play them and helps keep the whole unit moving with more confidence.
Even with the offense trending up, the defensive side still has a wrinkle worth watching as the schedule tightens. Isaiah Pola-Maos performance against New Orleans spotlighted a spot that opponents can press, and the possible return of Treydan Stukes adds another layer to how Las Vegas may try to patch things before a matchup with the Chiefs brings a much sharper test. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Just Made An Early Statement Fans Will Bring Into Chiefs Week
A fast start to the season can change the mood around a team quickly, and the Raiders just gave theirs a little more staying power. Las Vegas beat the Saints 35-27 to move to 3-0, a mark the franchise has reached only one other time since 2002, and it did so after digging out from a third-quarter deficit.
Kirk Cousins threw three touchdown passes, Brock Bowers made his 2026 debut with a touchdown, and the game wound up matching an NFL record with six scoring catches by tight ends. The bigger takeaway for the Raiders is what came after the break, when they flipped the game by forcing four fourth-quarter turnovers, the kind of surge that will linger once Chiefs week arrives. [Read more 🡒]