On Sunday, the 1-1 New Orleans Saints will play their home opener when they host the 2-0 Las Vegas Raiders. The Saints are looking for their second straight victory after a road win over the Baltimore Ravens last week. The Raiders won at the Los Angeles Chargers after opening their season by beating the Miami Dolphins at home.
New Orleans had one of the NFL's better defenses in 2025. They've had some up and down moments through two games but again show the signs of a good unit. The Saints will oppose a Raiders offense under new head coach Klint Kubiak, the Saints offensive coordinator in 2024, along with a familiar foe in Kirk Cousins at quarterback. Here's a look at how the Saints pass defense matches up against the Vegas offense.
Las Vegas Raiders passing attack
2025 statistics
- 167.7 yards per game (28th)
- 66% completion percentage
- 20 touchdowns (25th)
- 19 interceptions (31st)
- 64 sacks
2026 statistics (2 games)
- 204 yards per game (16th)
- 67.8% completion percentage
- 6 touchdowns (1st)
- 3 interceptions (29th)
- 2 sacks
Despite drafting Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall in the draft this spring, the Raiders went with the 38-year-old Cousins to start the year. The 15-year veteran has played well so far. Much better than the washed-up player we saw in Atlanta for the last two years. A caretaker until Mendoza takes over, Cousins has zero ability to escape the rush and diminished arm strength. However, he's got valuable experience and can still carve a defense up if allowed to get into a rhythm.
Star tight end Brock Bowers has yet to play in 2026 because of a knee injury. Bowers has been limited in practice so far this week, however, with an outside chance to suit up against the Saints. Without him, 2023 second round choice Michael Mayer has stepped up in a big way at tight end with 9 catches on 11 targets. Mayer isn't the athlete that Bowers is, but is physical with excellent route running ability.
Fourth-year wide receiver Tre Tucker leads the Raiders with 146 receiving yards after leading the team in that same category with 696 last season. Though undersized at 5-foot-8 and 182 pounds, Tucker is an elusive route runner underneath with the speed to make plays over the top. Tucker, Mayer, and running back Ashton Jeanty are the only Raiders to have double-digit targets so far. However, wideouts Jack Bech, Jalen Nailor, and Cody White (2 scores) have made plays for the offense in key moments. Jeanty will also be a key part of the passing game after 55 catches as a rookie and a team-best 10 receptions after two games.
Protecting Cousins is critical to any success. He's a quarterback who gets reckless with the ball if hit early. Center Tyler Linderbaum was signed in free agency to upgrade the interior protection. Tackle DJ Glaze and guard Jackson Powers-Johnson return on the right side, but left tackle Kolton Miller is back from a 2025 season-ending injury and offseason pickup Spencer Burford is in at left guard.
New Orleans Saints pass defense
2025 statistics
- 179.8 yards per game (4th)
- 63.5% completion percentage
- 25 touchdowns (14th)
- 10 interceptions (18th)
- 44 sacks
- 84 QB hits
2026 statistics (2 games)
- 204 yards per game (15th)
- 67.1% completion percentage
- 3 touchdowns (15th)
- 1 interception (14th)
- 4 sacks
- 9 QB hits
A young Saints secondary gave a little too cushion and respect to a bad Ravens wide receiver unit last week but has otherwise played solid and eliminated most big plays. Corners Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley have had a few crucial pass breakups in the first two weeks and are capable of being a top-tier tandem. Third corner Martin Emerson (shoulder) looks unlikely to play against the Raiders, meaning the Saints will likely turn to Jayden Price, Decamerion Richardson, or Mike Reid when employing six defensive backs.
Safety Julian Blackmon has the year's only interception for New Orleans. He and Justin Reid make an excellent pair on the back end. Jonas Sanker is the nickelback and primary slot corner. It's likely that he takes some coverage reps on Michael Mayer, or perhaps Brock Bowers. The Saints have had big struggles covering tight ends, so using Sanker or a defensive back on Mayer might be a wise adjustment.
Linebackers Kaden Elliss and Pete Werner have had strong starts to the year. Werner is still a liability in coverage, something that the Raiders will likely try to exploit with Mayer. But both he and especially Elliss have been disruptive blitzers. Expect both to be used in that capacity up the middle against the immobile Cousins.
Chase Young has continued his high level of play from last season. Young has 1.5 sacks, all against the Ravens, but has been disruptive despite dealing with multiple blockers. Cam Jordan and Carl Granderson need to do more as pass rushers, but both have shown that they are more than capable. Where the Saints need something is from their interior defensive line. Vernon Broughton, Nathan Shepherd, and Christen Miller are the most likely to provide it from a defensive line with very little quality depth.
Kirk Cousins has faced the Saints ten times during his time with the Redskins, Vikings, and Falcons. New Orleans is only 4-6 in those matchups, with Cousins averaging 273 passing yards with 17 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, and four 300-yard games. The Saints have sacked Cousins 27 times in those outings, with 12 of those in their four victories. That kind of pressure is a must on Sunday, with Cousins notorious for fumbles or interceptions against hits and heavy pressure. Finding a way to contain Mayer and keeping Jeanty from making big plays is also key, with the Saints looking like they have the matchup advantage against the Raiders wide receivers.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints pass defense takes on a familiar foe when facing the Raiders
