The Raiders’ unbeaten start gets a real test in Week 3, and it comes in New Orleans against a Saints team that has opened the season with real juice through the air. Las Vegas heads to the Superdome trying to stay perfect after three games, but this one has the feel of the first matchup that can poke at the edges of what the Raiders have built so far.
The biggest reason is Tyler Shough. The Saints quarterback has come out firing, ranking second in the league with 662 passing yards while adding four touchdowns and two interceptions.
He’s also been tough to slow down when the rush gets home, completing 65.5 percent of his throws for 303 yards and 10.4 yards per attempt, according to Next Gen Stats. He’s already been pressured a league-high 40 times, yet the Saints have still found ways to keep the ball moving.
Chris Olave has helped fuel that start, too. He sits fourth among pass-catchers with 268 receiving yards, giving New Orleans a clear threat on the outside.
And it’s not just the wideouts. The Saints also have production coming from their tailbacks, Travis Etienne and Alvin Kamara, which adds another layer for a Raiders defense that hasn’t been stressed like this yet.
That secondary will be in the spotlight for the first time this season. Defensive coordinator Rob Leonard has leaned on disciplined football from the back end, mixing Cover 3 and Cover 6, with Cover 2 man sprinkled in at times. That approach will get a serious examination here, especially if Darien Porter is able to return and Treydan Stukes is unavailable.
The pass rush has been efficient, but Shough’s ability to handle pressure means the Raiders may need more than a standard four-man rush. Leonard could turn to more stunt and twist looks, with Quay Walker working as an “edge” rusher and also handling WILL linebacker duties if Las Vegas lines up from a 4-3 base.
Kwity Paye has flashed from the interior, Malcom Koonce has made his presence felt, and Maxx Crosby remains the obvious engine of the whole thing. The Raiders’ best path is to force Shough into long-yardage situations and make every snap harder than the last.
The other side of the matchup may be just as important. New Orleans has allowed 136.5 rushing yards per game through two games, a number that sits in the bottom seven in the NFL. The run defense was better against the Baltimore Ravens, but it still hasn’t seen a ground game built like Las Vegas’.
That’s where the Raiders can make some noise. They’re expected to lean on a mix of 12, 13, 21, and 22 personnel, and Ashton Jeanty could be positioned for a bounce-back after a quiet outing against the Chargers last week. Mike Washington Jr. should also get a look with a power element added to the mix.
If Las Vegas can get the run game rolling and keep Kirk Cousins playing sufficient football, a 3-0 start is there for the taking.
In Other News...
Raiders 3-0 Push May Depend On One Saints Weakness
The Raiders head into their matchup with New Orleans looking for a third straight win, and the path could run straight through Tyler Shough. Las Vegas has already made a habit of leaning on pressure under defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, and that approach makes sense here against a quarterback who has spent the season under constant duress.
Shough has been the leagues most pressured passer so far and has taken eight sacks in two games, a combination that has helped expose how much trouble he can get into when the pocket breaks down. For the Raiders, the challenge is turning that weakness into the kind of disruption that can shape the game, because their chase for 3-0 may hinge on whether Leonards fronts and blitzes keep forcing mistakes. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Head Into Saints Game With Key Availability Still Unsettled
The final injury report is in, and the Raiders are still sorting through a few moving pieces ahead of their Week 3 trip to face the Saints. Several players were listed as limited or questionable, but the expectation is that most will be available, giving Las Vegas a chance to keep some continuity on both sides of the ball while it heads into another early-season test.
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 🡒]
Raiders Face A 3-0 Test Against A Saints Wrinkle They Must Solve
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 🡒]