For just the second time since 2002, the Raiders are 3-0.
After entering the fourth quarter down 27-22, Las Vegas picked up four takeaways in the final period to defeat New Orleans 35-27.
While the Raiders held a 16-13 lead at halftime, the Saints were able to score twice in quick succession in the third quarter to ostensibly take control of the game. Tyler Shough three a 1-yard touchdown pass to Juwan Johnson before the Raiders fumbled the ensuing kickoff. Shough then connected with Noah Fant for a 16-yard score to put New Orleans up 27-16 with 5:46 left in the third quarter.
But it was all Las Vegas from there. Mike Washington scored on a 36-yard touchdown run to cap a quick, five-play drive. The two-point conversion failed, keeping the score at 27-22, New Orleans.
That’s when the turnovers began, with Shough losing the ball on a strip-sack in Las Vegas territory on third-and-4 from the Las Vegas 29.
Kirk Cousins hit Cody White for a 4-yard touchdown to give the Raiders a 28-27 lead with 9:21 left in regulation.
Down by one, Shough then threw an interception that set up Cousins’ 4-yard touchdown to Brock Bowers — who was making his 2026 debut — for a 35-27 lead.
For the Saints’ third turnover, Shough was again strip-sacked with 2:21 left in regulation on fourth-and-1 deep in Las Vegas territory.
And while the team got the ball back, Johnson fumbled with just under a minute left, and the Raiders recovered to clinch their victory.
Sunday’s win was the first time the Raiders scored at least 30 points since defeating the Chargers 63-21 on a Thursday night in December 2023.
As noted by the CBS broadcast, the game also tied an NFL record with six touchdown receptions by tight ends. The only other time that had happened was in 1981 in a matchup between the Chargers and Raiders.
Cousins finished 22-of-33 for 248 yards with three touchdowns. That makes him the first QB in team history to record at least three passing TDs in each of the club’s first three games. He’s also the first since Lamar Jackson in 2022 to record at least three passing TDs in each of his team’s first three games.
After undergoing a meniscus trim, Bowers was as excellent as ever, catching 10 passes on 13 targets for 116 yards with a TD.
On the other side, Shough finished 29-of-42 for 255 yards with four touchdowns, an interception, and two lost fumbles. Chris Olave led with nine catches for 107 yards.
At 3-0, the Raiders will host an AFC West showdown with the fellow 3-0 Chiefs next weekend.
The 1-2 Saints will host the 1-2 Falcons next Monday night.
Read the full article here
