The Las Vegas Raiders rallied from an 11-point second-half deficit Sunday and beat the New Orleans Saints 35-27 at Caesars Superdome, improving to 3-0 for the first time since 2021.
Las Vegas scored 13 points in the fourth quarter and held New Orleans scoreless over the final 15 minutes. The Raiders forced four turnovers, including three recovered fumbles and an interception by rookie cornerback Hezekiah Masses.
The Saints led 27-16 after two third-quarter touchdown passes from Tyler Shough. Las Vegas answered with a 36-yard touchdown run by Mike Washington Jr., then added two more scores in the fourth on short passes from Kirk Cousins.
Cousins completed 22 of 33 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Tight end Brock Bowers, playing his first game of the season, caught 10 passes for 116 yards and a four-yard touchdown that made it 35-27.
The Raiders finished with 340 total yards. New Orleans had 381 yards but committed four turnovers and scored no points after the third quarter.
Defensive end Maxx Crosby recovered a fumble after a strip-sack in the fourth quarter that helped set up the go-ahead drive. Crosby finished with two tackles, a pass breakup, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Crosby said the team’s early success comes down to chemistry more than scheme.
“We have a lot of work to do,” Crosby said postgame.
“It’s early in September. But just the connection in the locker room, everyone playing for each other. It’s as simple as that. I think guys enjoy being around each other. Guys enjoy putting in the work together and finding solutions instead of complaining or looking for an out. It’s just everyone’s trying to get on the same page and towards one common goal, and I think that’s been a big part of why we’re having success early on.”
The defense’s response after falling behind 27-16 was also a product of that closeness, Crosby said.
“We have a great group and guys that love playing football together,” Crosby said. “We practice together, we eat together, we talk all the time together. In those big moments, there’s no panic. When we went down, I think it was 27-16, we got together on the sideline, we talked it out, chopped it up. Just don’t panic. Just keep playing. We’re right in it. There’s a lot of football left. That’s exactly what we did, and it was awesome to see.”
Las Vegas has scored 88 points through three games, averaging 29.3 per contest, seventh in the NFL. The defense has allowed 54 points, or 18.0 per game. The Raiders have 10 sacks in three games.
Through the first two weeks, Las Vegas led the league with a 45.6 percent pressure rate, according to Pro Football Reference, while tying for the NFL lead with eight sacks and blitzing less often than most teams.
Last season the Raiders won only three games in 17 tries. They are already matching that total and sit tied with Kansas City atop the AFC West.
First-year coach Klint Kubiak said the group kept playing through a messy afternoon. The Raiders host the Chiefs next Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.
Bowers said the complementary play between offense and defense has been the difference in two consecutive road wins. The offense has produced at least 26 points in every game this season.
Matt Gay made three field goals, including kicks of 41, 37 and 25 yards. The Raiders converted 7 of 12 third downs.
New Orleans quarterback Tyler Shough threw for 255 yards and four touchdowns but was intercepted once and lost fumbles as the Saints dropped to 1-2.
The last time the Las Vegas Raiders started 3-0, the team reached the playoffs. That remains the franchise’s most recent postseason appearance.
