The Raiders have opened the 2026 season with a jolt, and the first two weeks have already changed the conversation around Las Vegas. They beat the Miami Dolphins, then followed it up by knocking off the Los Angeles Chargers, a result that few people saw coming before the season.
What stands out most is how different the wins have been. In Week 1, the Raiders leaned on their rushing attack and defense while the 38-year-old quarterback managed the game.
Against the Chargers, that formula flipped. The run game never really got going, with Ashton Jeanty finishing with 48 yards on 21 carries, but the passing attack carried the night.
Cousins delivered one of the sharper outings of the early season. The 15-year veteran went 19-of-29 for 253 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, while averaging 8.7 yards per attempt. He also pushed the ball downfield several times, showing he is willing to attack defenses vertically when the chances are there.
That helped offset a Los Angeles defense that has struggled badly without Jesse Minter calling plays. Still, the Raiders deserve credit for what they did on the other side of the ball. They forced six fumbles, recovered one, sacked Justin Herbert three times, and picked him off twice, with both interceptions coming from Hezekiah Masses.
The Dolphins and Chargers may not be ideal measuring sticks, but there are real ingredients here. Maxx Crosby, Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker, and a promising young secondary give this defense a chance to become something much better as the season goes on.
Week 3 should tell us more. Las Vegas heads to New Orleans to face the Saints, who just posted an impressive 24-17 win over the Baltimore Ravens. That matchup will be a bigger test for the Raiders than the first two.
Even with the small sample size, the early results are hard to ignore. Nobody expected Las Vegas to be 2-0, and the fact that it has looked functional on both sides of the ball makes the start even more notable.
The Raiders have done it without Brock Bowers, who has been recovering from offseason meniscus surgery, but the 23-year-old tight end is expected back this week against the Saints. If Las Vegas can keep the streak alive on Sunday, it will head into a tough stretch of the schedule in a strong position.
In Other News...
Raiders Cornerback Battle Just Got A Lot More Interesting
Klint Kubiak had plenty to say about the Raiders young cornerbacks after Week 2, and the conversation around the secondary only got more interesting. Hezekiah Masses turned heads with two interceptions, giving the rookie a real case to keep climbing the depth chart, while Jermod McCoy remains in the middle of his development plan and Darien Porters return gives the staff another evaluation point as the defense keeps sorting out its pieces.
For a Raiders team that is still trying to define roles on the back end, the cornerback battle now has some real texture beyond simple training-camp speculation. Kubiaks praise for Masses suggests the door is open for a bigger opportunity, but the staff is clearly weighing more than just one hot game as it looks at how McCoy grows and how Porter fits back into the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Depth Chart Is Revealing A Few Big Week 3 Questions
The Raiders have spent the first two weeks giving themselves a little breathing room, and now the depth chart is starting to tell a more interesting story as they prepare for New Orleans. At 2-0 after the win over the Chargers, Las Vegas is no longer just living off early momentum. The discussion has shifted to who is locking down bigger roles, which contributors are driving the offense and defense, and how much the teams improved play on that side of the ball is changing the shape of the roster.
Week 3 brings a few questions that should help clarify the picture, especially as the Raiders continue to sort out player performance and health. Some names are pushing for more responsibility, others are being monitored closely, and the way those pieces fit against the Saints could say plenty about where this team is headed next. For a club that has already shown real progress, the next step is less about the record and more about which depth-chart decisions end up holding when the schedule gets tougher. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Suddenly Look Deeper Than Anyone Expected
The Raiders offseason overhaul is starting to show up in the sort of way that gets attention early in the year. A new coaching staff and a series of roster upgrades have given Las Vegas a sturdier look on both sides of the ball, and the defensive line in particular has been disruptive enough to sit tied for the league lead in sacks. Even with the usual caveats that come with a fresh setup, the group looks deeper and more complete than it did a year ago.
There is still room for the offense to grow, especially with Brock Bowers sidelined for now, though his return should give the unit another useful piece. Kirk Cousins has kept things moving at quarterback and the early signs have been encouraging, but the bigger long-term question is how much better the group can look once Fernando Mendoza eventually takes over under center. For a team that spent the offseason trying to change its outlook, the early returns suggest the ceiling may be higher than many expected. [Read more 🡒]