The Las Vegas Raiders
are massive winners in Week 3 after starting 3-0 for the first time since 2021, when they last made the postseason. This win over the New Orleans Saints
is monumental.
The Las Vegas Raiders
are 3-0 for the first time since 2021. That season, they went on to play in the postseason, their last playoff appearance. With this win over the New Orleans Saints
, they may have just put the league on notice.
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This is not your ordinary Raiders team. This is a good football team. Some players absolutely balled out in this game. Now, granted, a few didn't play great, too. We will get into both. Remember, we call that "winners and losers" here, but that doesn't mean that player is actually a loser. However, it does mean they are in a losing situation after some mishaps and mistakes.
Raiders winners and losers in Week 3 win over Saints
Losers
Laube almost cost the Raiders the game. The special-teams fumble is unacceptable, and it helped the Saints score and take the lead. That can't happen, especially if you're only on the roster to meet special-teams needs.
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Loser: Isaia Pola-Mao, S
With Treydan Stukes
out with a concussion, Pola-Mao played in coverage way more than anyone would have liked. The Saints' first touchdown of the game came off Pola-Mao, as he missed his assignment and played ten yards off on the goal line. He didn't play well throughout this game. It really showed how much Stukes was missed.
Miller gave up the sack on what could have been a game-altering fumble by Kirk Cousins
. He looked shaky all day and allowed several pressures. But that one sack alone could have been devastating if Connor Heyward
hadn't been there.
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Burford could have been called for several holding penalties in that game. He was atrocious and was quite literally the reason the run game failed as much as it did on that left side. It will be interesting to watch the tape when it comes out, but off first impression, he did not play well.
Winners
He may have been the best defensive player in the game. We all know the protection is sliding towards Maxx Crosby
, and as long as the other guys on the other side are making plays, that won't matter. Koonce had the huge strip sack and wrecked the game on several other occasions. He had the sack, a tackle for loss in the run game, and three quarterback hits. Koonce was the best defensive player in this game.
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They got their guy back
. And quickly, Bowers reminded everyone why he is still the best tight end in the league. He is unguardable. And while there were some plays he'd like to have back, he had a huge game. Big catch after big catch, especially that third-down back-shoulder play from Kirk Cousins. Bowers had 10 catches for 116 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Winner: Hezekiah Masses, CB
Masses' name wasn't mentioned a ton in this game, and that's a good thing. He wasn't picked on and actually played pretty sticky coverage. Plus, he had another interception. The fifth-round rookie is up to three interceptions for the year
.
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The guy was elevated from the practice squad again this week. And he once again found the end zone. White is leading the team in receiving TDs with three. He's making plays, and the Raiders have to love that he's doing it from the practice squad.
Chinn had a game-winning sack. His play late in the fourth quarter was great, and Robbie Leonard used him perfectly, bringing him down in the box and using him to confuse the Saints over and over again. Chinn was awesome, and he finished with eight tackles, the second most on the team.
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Winner: Mike Washington, RB
Ashton Jeanty
couldn't really do much on the ground. Yet when Washington came in, he did more with less. His big rushing TD gave the Raiders momentum when they needed it most, after the Saints had just scored.
Winner: Mike Mayer, TE
Mayer heard all of the chatter about him getting paid. He showed that he is more than just a blocking tight end. While he is elite at that, he made some big-time plays through the air, including his touchdown. He had three catches for 32 yards and a TD.
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Winner: Kirk Cousins, QB
Cousins is now 3-0 and has nine TDs through three games. Most importantly, he's running the offense efficiently and effectively. He's been precise, and his third-down throws to Bowers have been perfect. Sure, he's not throwing it downfield as much as you'd like, but he's winning. He's not turning the ball over, and he's efficient.
Dean had the game-winning forced fumble on the sideline. That put the nail in the coffin. But it was more than that for Dean. He was elite in the run game. Dean finished with a team-high 12 tackles and made some game-changing plays.
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This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: 9 winners and 4 losers in the Las Vegas Raiders' win over New Orleans Saints: Klint Kubiak has his squad at 3-0 for the first time since 2021
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