Week 3 for the Las Vegas Raiders brings a cross-conference matchup with the New Orleans Saints, two organizations that have been around since the 1960s but have only met 16 times ahead of this Sunday. Also, the last Raiders-Saints matchup was in 2024, and both clubs are very different from what they were a couple of years ago.
To preview the contest, Silver and Black Pride reached out to our friends at Canal Street Chronicals, and Nic Jennings was kind enough to answer a few questions about the Saints
for Raider Nation.
Q: Tyler Shough is a relatively new quarterback, taking over as the Saints’ starter right at the halfway point of last season. What can you tell us about Shough? What are his strengths and weaknesses?
A: Tyler Shough is the real deal, and his teammates clearly rally behind him.
He showed immense promise in his limited starts as a rookie, attacked and conquered the offseason while blowing expectations out of the water, and has carried that same momentum into the first two weeks of the season.
He currently leads the league with 662 passing yards, the most through two games for a Saints quarterback since Drew Brees in 2009, while also leading the league with 62 completions. More importantly, he has continuously shown his resilience and leadership while leading two impressive comebacks. Much like we saw from him as a rookie. If it weren’t for the overturned touchdown against the Lions, the Saints could easily be sitting at 2-0 right now.
In terms of his strengths, Shough’s deep ball is a thing of beauty, and his ability to stretch the field has been impressive. He currently holds an NFL-best 99.9 overall deep-passing grade from Pro Football Focus, while his 75.0% completion rate, 156.3 passer rating, five big-time throws, zero turnover-worthy plays and 24.6 yards per attempt also rank atop the league.
He can also extend plays with his legs and escape pressure when the pocket breaks down, giving the Saints another dimension offensively that they haven’t quite had. And most importantly, he has the clutch gene.
As for a weakness, the Saints’ offense has developed a habit of starting slowly. While I would place more of that blame on Kellen Moore than Shough, the starting quarterback still plays a role in getting the offense into rhythm. I’d like to see Shough and the offense get rolling earlier against Las Vegas.
Q: On a related note, New Orleans’ offense has struggled to get going in the beginning of games during the first two weeks, with just six first-half points so far. Conversely, the unit has scored 48 points in the second half (including one overtime period). What’s been the difference between the two halves and causing the slow starts?
A: Yes, this has definitely been an issue.
The Saints have gone scoreless in the first quarter 13 times under Kellen Moore. While his team always shows fight until the end, they need to start quicker if they want to compete with the league’s top teams because they won’t have the luxury of these miraculous comebacks down the stretch of the season.
I really couldn’t tell you what has caused this tale-of-two-halves trend for New Orleans. But what I can tell you is that it’s real.
Brandon Staley’s defense is usually able to hold off opposing offenses early, but they ultimately get gassed when the offense’s slow starts lead to big deficits early in games. However, once the offense and Tyler Shough get rolling, things just start to click for the Saints. Long scoring drives with explosive plays. Big stops in crucial moments from the defense. It all just clicks.
Obviously, I hope they can ditch this trend and start off strong against Las Vegas and not look back. It’s really the one glaring issue remaining for this Saints team.
Q: Starting left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. is headed to injured reserve after suffering an ankle injury last week. Who steps in to replace Banks, and how do you think Kellen Moore and Co. will game plan for Maxx Crosby without Shough’s primary blindside protector?
A: Asim Richards will step in for Banks at left tackle.
Richards played 363 snaps for New Orleans in an insurance role last season, allowing two sacks and four total pressures on 218 pass-blocking snaps. While replacing a first-round talent like Banks is obviously a significant challenge, the Saints at least have a player with some experience who has already been in their system.
Banks’ injury is devastating for the offense, especially with Maxx Crosby coming to town. Crosby is the type of elite pass rusher who can completely change a game if he’s allowed to consistently win one-on-one, so I’d expect Kellen Moore and the Saints to be more intentional about how they protect Richards.
That could mean getting the ball out quicker, using more chips and tight end help, and moving the pocket to prevent Crosby from simply pinning his ears back and attacking Richards every passing down. The Saints may also look to establish the run early, something they have yet to do through two games, which could help slow down the Raiders’ pass rush and keep Crosby from dictating the game.
It’s a tough assignment for Richards, but this will be a good opportunity for him to prove he can handle an increased role. How the Saints protect their new left tackle could be just as important as how Richards performs individually.
Q: From my perspective, it seems like the Saints’ defense is filled with solid players, but no one stands out as an individual star. Can you give us a couple of players who you think could make a big impact on Sunday?
A: Chase Young is an absolute star and has completely flipped his career trajectory. Since joining the Saints, he has proven that he was worth the three-year, $55 million contract extension he signed last offseason.
After missing the first five games of the 2025 season with a calf injury, Young recorded the first double-digit sack season of his career with 10 sacks and led the team with 49 total pressures in just 12 appearances. He also finished the year with 38 total tackles (22 solo), 29 stops, 11 tackles for loss, four passes defended, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown. He posted a career-high 86.3 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus while also ranking in the top 10 in pass-rush win rate for the second consecutive season.
This season, Young was named a team captain for the first time during his three-year tenure with the Saints. Against Detroit in the season opener, he strip-sacked Jared Goff on a play that was returned for a defensive touchdown, only for it to be called back because Goff apparently “intended” to throw the ball forward. It was certainly one of the more questionable calls you’ll see.
This past week against the Ravens, Young recorded seven total pressures, 1.5 sacks, two stops and an 88.5 overall defensive grade (84.5 pass-rush grade) from PFF. He has been a consistent disruptive force through the first two games and looks like one of the anchors of this Saints defense. A true game changer.
And Young isn’t the only reason to be excited about this defense.
Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry looks to have finally taken the next step in his development, while second-year safety Jonas Sanker has been flying all over the field and has been reliable in his first year playing the slot. Then you have veteran linebacker Kaden Elliss, who has been exactly what the Saints needed in his return to the Big Easy.
Elliss has seamlessly filled the void left by future Pro Football Hall of Famer Demario Davis’ departure, which is no easy task. He is a true pro’s pro, a leader and a field general at the position who can impact the game both playing off the ball and rushing the passer.
Q: New Orleans is pretty young at cornerback, with Kool-Aid McKinstry being the senior member as a three-year pro. At the same time, the Raiders don’t exactly have a ton of talent at wide receiver. Is there a matchup you’re going to keep your eye on in the passing game?
A: Honestly, I’m more worried about the Raiders’ tight end room than the receiver group.
The Saints have had trouble defending pass-catching tight ends in the past, and if Brock Bowers is able to return, I’ll be watching closely to see how New Orleans handles both him and Michael Mayer.
Sanker has done an excellent job in the slot, while veteran linebacker Pete Werner has gotten off to a really strong start to the season. Their ability to stay disciplined in coverage and, more importantly, finish tackles will be something I’m watching closely.
Kirk Cousins has always been comfortable using his tight ends as safety valves, so taking that option away could go a long way toward making things more difficult for the Raiders’ passing game.
