The Las Vegas Raiders weren't supposed to look this good this quickly. Yet two weeks into the 2026 season, the Raiders are undefeated - and Kirk Cousins is playing a major role in making that happen.
Cousins
has been excellent in wins over the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers, throwing for 413 yards and six touchdowns through two games. His three-touchdown performance against the Chargers made him the first Raiders quarterback since Ken Stabler in 1976 to throw at least three touchdown passes in each of the team's first two games. That has created an interesting situation for No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, who continues to watch from the sideline. Mendoza was already slated to begin the year behind Cousins, but the veteran's play has made it increasingly difficult to imagine a change coming anytime soon.
The Raiders have also leaned heavily on second-year running back Ashton Jeanty. Through two games, Jeanty has carried the ball 44 times for 150 yards, giving him a significant workload as Las Vegas continues to find ways to control games. And there could be another weapon joining the party this week. Brock Bowers has yet to make his 2026 debut after undergoing a meniscus procedure, but he is expected to practice this week and could potentially return Sunday against New Orleans.
The Saints, meanwhile, have quietly put together a compelling start of their own. Tyler Shough nearly engineered a massive comeback against the Detroit Lions in Week 1 before leading New Orleans all the way back against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2. Shough has thrown for 662 yards through two games, with Chris Olave emerging as his premier target. New Orleans also just stifled Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, overcoming a 14-3 deficit to win 24-17.
Now, two teams trending in very different ways collide in the Superdome. Can the Saints slow down Cousins and company, or will the Raiders prove their hot start is no fluke?
Raiders at Saints live odds
Opening Lines
- Spread: Saints -3.5
- Moneyline: Saints -175; Raiders +155
- Over/Under: 43.5
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Raiders at Saints picks against the spread
Adam Kaufman: Saints -3.5
Who'd have thought the Raiders and Saints would generate some Week 3 excitement? Seriously, I'm fired up for this game. Las Vegas is 2-0 for the first time since 2021, with Kirk Cousins playing productive football despite Brock Bowers missing both games. New Orleans, meanwhile, erased an 11-point deficit to win in Baltimore after rallying from 21 down to force overtime in Detroit. Fun teams. The Saints have covered eight straight dating back to last season, while Cousins has won six consecutive starts. Something has to give. Las Vegas' victories came against two winless teams, while New Orleans survived a brutal two-game road swing. In the Saints' home opener, laying exactly a field goal feels right.
Tom Viera: Saints -3.5
The Saints finally get to play in front of the Who Dat Nation, and the timing couldn't be better. New Orleans enters its home opener riding the momentum of an impressive comeback win. Tyler Shough has looked increasingly comfortable under center through two games while showing plenty of poise late in games. Now he gets a Raiders defense that has benefited from wins over the Dolphins and a flailing Chargers team, but those results may say more about the opponents than Las Vegas itself. Kirk Cousins has played well, but I'm not convinced this 2-0 start is sustainable. New Orleans has the home-field advantage, the momentum and enough playmakers to expose the Raiders.
Nick Brinkerhoff: Saints -3.5
The 2-0 Raiders and 1-1 Saints. Let this serve as another reminder to expect the unexpected in the NFL. Both teams are led by young offensive-minded coaches, creating one of the more fascinating matchups of the weekend. The Raiders took care of business against the Dolphins and Chargers, but this is a moment for the Saints. They nearly upset the Lions and did upset the Ravens, forcing everyone to consider whether New Orleans is better than originally thought. In front of a raucous crowd at the Superdome, the Saints make another statement.
Blake Schuster: Raiders +3.5
The Saints played great when they had zero expectations. Now they return in New Orleans to a fanbase that suddenly has a ton of hope. That's a ripe spot for a team like the Raiders that has arguably more to prove at the moment. With the Saints allowing more thant 130 rushing yards per game already and Ashton Jeanty should feast.
Where to watch Raiders at Saints
- Matchup: Saints vs. Raiders
- Date: Sept. 27
- Time: 4:25 p.m.
- Venue: Caesars Superdome
- Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
- TV: CBS
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Saints vs Raiders spread predictions, odds for NFL Week 3 game
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