The Klint Kubiak era is underway in Las Vegas, and by starting the season with a 3-0 record, Kubiak accomplished something Jon Gruden wasn’t able to do until his fourth season with the Raiders.
For the first time since 2021, the Raiders are undefeated after three weeks, and we’re starting to see the team’s identity with Kubiak on the sideline.
After Sunday’s 35-27 win over the Saints, here are five storylines to keep an eye on as the Raiders move on to Kansas City in week four.
Ashton Jeanty off to a slow start
Jeanty had a great season opener against the Miami Dolphins.
He ran for 102 yards on 23 carries and looked like the running back the Raiders drafted him to be a year ago.
But in his last 40 carries, Jeanty is averaging just 2.6 yards per carry. Some of his struggles are related to the team’s run blocking, but he also hasn’t made many defenders miss.
Something about Jeany doesn’t look right (he also dropped three passes in week 2), and if that doesn’t change, the Raiders ought to consider giving more carries to Mike Washington Jr.
Kirk Cousins is playing like an All Pro
The plan was for Cousins to keep the seat warm for Fernando Mendoza, but after Sunday’s win in New Orleans, Mendoza is barely a talking point going into week four.
Cousins is tied with Brock Purdy for the NFL lead in touchdown passes (9) and it’s starting to feel like there’s a chance Mendoza won’t see the field this year.
If Cousins stays healthy (knock on wood) and the Raiders keep winning, why fix what isn’t broken?
The Raiders have a legitimate defense
Rob Leonard’s defense was exhausted by the end of Sunday’s game, but they forced four turnovers in the fourth quarter and had another turnover called back by a penalty.
The secondary wasn’t great against the Saints, but the Raiders’ front seven is drastically improved over a year ago.
Malcolm Koonce is back
It was a long time coming, but Koonce finally looks like the player he was before tearing his ACL in 2023.
Koonce forced a turnover on a strip sack and deserves an assist on Hezekiah Masses’ interception. Koonce pushed his blocker into Tyler Shough on the Masses interception and caused the throw to come up well short and into the arms of the rookie defender.
For the second straight week, Masses just seems to be in the right place at the right time. He now has three interceptions on the season and is tied with Giants safety Jevon Holland for the league lead.
Brock Bowers is still a game changer
The return of Brock Bowers didn’t come quietly on Sunday.
The best tight end in the league put up 10 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown against the Saints, and just as encouraging… Bowers didn’t seem to favor his knee at any point in the game.
If Bowers can stay healthy, the Raiders can compete with better teams the way they did in New Orleans.
On a related note, the Saints put up by far the best fight the Raiders have seen this year, and this week’s win is only going to look better as the season moves forward.
The Saints are a solid team moving in the right direction under head coach Kellen Moore.
x: @raidersbeat
Jeanty isn’t an elite player. They need to mix in more carries for Washington. Jeanty won’t see his 2nd contract here. At least he isn’t a bust
I won’t say he isn’t an elite player just yet. But that’s your opinion I feel like he will catch on sooner than later. But until then it should be running back by committee. We have to remember he didn’t have the competition at college like he does in the league, but I do feel he will catch fire in my opinion, but tell then let Mike Washington Junior eat
Jeanty doesn’t hit holes & has zero explosion. I can think of 5-10 guys that do what Jeanty does & if you are drafted in the top 5 as a RB you better be elite.
Even Ryan Hoag thinks Washington will be a better running back.
Again, Jeanty is a solid player but not a game breaker. Those 1st 2 picks from that draft are not great.
If we had ownership with brains they’d ask Kubiak if he wants to continue with Spytek or go with his own guy.
Jeantty is play injured. It’s completely obvious to anyone with a clue.
Pola Mao needs to be cut loose. If you’re not gonna bring up the rookie or play. Travion McCollum cherry pick somebody off of practice squad.
Cousins needs to quit locking on Bowers.
I agree Jeanty’s ankle is more of an issue than we know. Perhaps a week or two of down time would be beneficial, unfortunately, it should have been in these early games, because we need everybody in these next games. I also think Washington is one of those backs who plays better with more carries. Pola Mao is just not cutting it, slow to react, and not making his reads. I think Cousins is following his coach’s progression reads. From what I understand Kubiak is a stickler on the matter.
+1
I understand he’s injured but dancing in holes when you have to hit and go is his issue. That’s got nothing to do with an ankle
What holes? The fact is the energy and impact it takes to laterally move instantaneously or even explosively move to a hole is the same as having to use your lower body to use your hands to catch a frozen rope. Remember the three that he missed last week? If you played any sports at a high-level, you’d understand this. Just go back and look at him last year. There’s a night and day difference and it’s because of his ankle injury. He shouldn’t even be playing.