Despite what many Raiders fans might think, the sports world doesn't really hate the Raiders anymore. These days most people seem to miss the days when the Raiders were formidable. But, aside from a couple instances, it's been nearly a quarter century since that was the case.
So, when the Raiders jumped out to a 3-0 record to start this season, mathing their entire 2025 win total, the response has been largely positive.
Tuesday the TV viewership numbers came out via CBS and their game against the Chiefs on Sunday set records. Now today, a piece in The Athletic gave out some superlatives and Mike Jones named the Raiders the most pleasant surprise.
The Chiefs handed the Las Vegas Raiders their first loss, but the perennial AFC West basement dwellers
made Kansas City work for Sunday’s win. Growing pains were expected and certainly will pop up throughout the season, but the Raiders have already matched last season’s win total. First-year head coach Klint Kubiak directs an offense that ranks among the top 10 in the league in scoring, and the defense also has played well, giving up the 11th-fewest points.
The now 4-0 Chiefs were named the best team in the NFL right now. And the Raiders came within a fluke special teams fumble of beating them. Showing the Raiders themselves are no fluke. And clearly that's something the sports world, by in large, likes to see.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders named 'most pleasant surprise' of early 2026 season
