NEW ORLEANS – The Las Vegas Raiders needed 17 games last season to notch three wins.
In 2026, the new-look Raiders have already matched that total through three weeks.
Head coach Klint Kubiak is undefeated, quarterback Kirk Cousins plays with a toughness his younger self would be proud of, tight end Brock Bowers is as dynamic as pass-catching targets come in this game and edge rusher Maxx Crosby must be happy his offseason trade to the Baltimore Ravens was nullified at the eleventh hour.
The Raiders are 3-0 for the first time since 2021 after beating the New Orleans Saints 35-27 on Sunday, Sept. 27, at Caesars Superdome.
Cousins, who finished 22-of-38 passing for 248 yards, is the lone NFL signal-caller to start the first three games of the season
with three touchdown passes in each one. Bowers had 10 catches (13 targets) for 116 yards and a score in his first game of the season, his campaign delayed by minor knee surgery the week of the season opener.
The Raiders took out the lowly Miami Dolphins days later. They then shocked with a victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, but the state of that opponent is not quite inspiring after another loss on Sunday. Now a home date against the Kansas City Chiefs, also 3-0, awaits – with first place in the AFC West on the line.
Who could have predicted that would be the case three weeks ago? Regardless, the "Black Hole" faithful were rewarded for their trip to the "Big Easy."
Rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. scored his first career touchdown to cut the Saints 27-16 lead to a one-score game in the third quarter.
The Raiders picked up an assist from the refs with when Malcom Koonce stripped Saints quarterback Tyler Shough on a close play, in which Shough’s right arm was nearly moving forward before the ball came out. The loose pigskin was recovered by Crosby, and the Raiders scored on the ensuing possession – not before guard Spencer Burford got away with egregious hold a couple plays before Cousins found Cody White for the go-ahead score.
Shough and New Orleans coughed up the ball on four straight drives, with the second-year quarterback throwing an interception to rookie Hezekiah Masses on the next possession and the Saints turning it over on downs after that. Bowers’ touchdown, to make it 35-27, occurred between those giveaways. Nakobe Dean, an offseason signing, forced a fumble from Saints tight end Juwan Johnson to seal the outcome.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kirk Cousins and the Las Vegas Raiders are 3-0 – wait, what?
