HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders have spent the first two weeks of the season changing expectations. Now they have an opportunity to do something few outside the organization anticipated entering the season:
Start 3-0.Las Vegas travels to New Orleans on Sunday to face the Saints after opening the Klint Kubiak era with consecutive victories. The Raiders’ defense has emerged as one of the early surprises, while veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins has provided stability as the organization continues preparing No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza for his eventual opportunity.
The Raiders aren’t a finished product, but they’re beginning to establish an identity. Getting to 3-0 will require another complete performance, and three players in particular could have an outsized impact Sunday.
Johnson vs. Chris Olave
One of Sunday’s most important individual matchups could happen in the slot. The Raiders’ Johnson has provided solid play at nickel, but Chris Olave represents a significant test.
According to Next Gen Stats, Olave has averaged 17.3 yards from the slot compared with 14.8 when aligned outside, illustrating how dangerous he can become when New Orleans moves him around the formation.
Johnson has posted a minus-1.2 percent catch rate allowed over expected, giving Las Vegas reason to believe it can make life difficult for Olave when the two are matched against each other.
Stopping Olave completely isn’t realistic. Limiting the damage is. If Johnson can disrupt timing, contain Olave after the catch and prevent him from repeatedly winning in the quick passing game, the Raiders can take away one of Shough’s most dangerous options.
With Stukes unavailable, every member of the secondary will have additional responsibility. Johnson’s may be the toughest.
Isaiah Pola-Mao
Treydan Stukes’ absence because of a concussion puts additional responsibility on veteran safety Isaiah Pola-Mao. Pola-Mao’s assignment becomes particularly important because of the vertical threat presented by the Saints’ passing game.
New Orleans quarterback Tyler Shough will have opportunities to test the Raiders downfield, making Pola-Mao’s discipline on the back end critical. He has the range to work sideline to sideline and has shown an ability to take good angles when providing run support.
More importantly, his experience could help prevent the explosive plays that can quickly change a road game. If Pola-Mao can keep everything in front of him and eliminate the deep ball, Las Vegas can simplify the rest of its defensive approach and force Shough to consistently execute underneath. That would play directly into what the Raiders want defensively.
D.J. Glaze
Perhaps no Raider has quietly helped himself more through the first two weeks than right tackle D.J. Glaze. Glaze has faced quality pass-rushing talent against Miami and Los Angeles and has allowed just one pressure through two games.
Now comes Chase Young. The former No. 2 overall pick has found new life in New Orleans and enters Sunday’s game as one of the league’s most productive pass rushers by pressure rate.
That makes Glaze versus Young one of the most important battles of the afternoon. Cousins has played well enough to help Las Vegas reach 2-0, but keeping the veteran quarterback clean remains essential to Kubiak’s offense.
If Young consistently collapses the right side of the pocket, New Orleans can disrupt Cousins’ timing and force the Raiders away from what they want to do. If Glaze continues his impressive start and neutralizes Young, Cousins should have opportunities to attack a Saints defense that will already have plenty to account for.
The Raiders Are No Longer Sneaking Up on Anyone
That’s ultimately what makes Week 3 interesting. The Raiders entered the season rebuilding and with limited external expectations.
Two victories later, the conversation is changing. The defense looks better than anticipated. Cousins has provided the veteran presence Las Vegas wanted. Kubiak has established stability, and Brock Bowers is expected to make his season debut after the Raiders managed to win their first two games without him.
Now comes another road test. Getting to 2-0 was impressive. Getting to 3-0 with two road victories would begin turning an encouraging start into something considerably more meaningful.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
