The Las Vegas Raiders have launched their 2026 season with three straight victories. Despite the undefeated start, defensive end Maxx Crosby is urging his teammates to remain disciplined as they prepare for high-stakes divisional matchups.
The 19-point surge against the New Orleans Saints
The Las Vegas Raiders' current momentum was punctuated by a dramatic 31-24 victory over the New Orleans Saints.. According to the report , the Raiders overcame an 11-point deficit in the second half, scoring 19 unanswered points in the final 12 minutes of the game to secure the win.
However, the victory was not without its flaws. The report notes that the Las Vegas Raiders' defense struggled significantly in the first half, allowing Saints quarterback Tyler Shough to secure several large gains. This inconsistency suggests that while the team possesses late-game resilience, their early-game execution remains a vulnerability.
Maxx Crosby's warning against the 'right formula' trap
Defensive end Maxx Crosby has emerged as the primary voice of caution within the loocker room. In an interview following the win over the New Orleans Saints, Maxx Crosby stated, "You don't want to fall into the trap of thinking we've already found the right formula," suggesting that early success can lead to a dangerous psychological pitfall.
For Maxx Crosby,the priority for the Las Vegas Raiders is the "daily mission" rather than the current win-loss column. This perspective reflects a broader trend in professional sports where early-season streaks often mask systemic issues that only surface when the schedule toughens.
Finding a new identity without Brock Bowers
One of the most surprising elements of this 3-0 run is that the Las Vegas Raiders have achieved these wins without their starting defensive tackle, Brock Bowers. This void has forced the team to adapt, and as the report indicates, the squad is beginning to carve out a distinct identity under the leadership of head coach Klint Kubiak.
The ability of the Las Vegas Raiders to win without a key piece of their defensive line suggests a depth of talent that was perhaps underestimated entering the 2026 campaign. It also places more pressure on the remaining defensive unit to maintain a high level of play as the season progresses.
John Hilliard's focus on the Kansas City Chiefs clash
Front-office veteran John Hilliard views the current streak as a foundation rather than a finished product. As the Las Vegas Raiders prepare for a critical game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Hilliard has highlighted the growth of the offensive line and improved pass-rush numbers as key drivers of their success.
Despite these improvements, Hilliard acknowledges that fan expectations in Las Vegas have "ballooned" due to the winning streak. The organization is now tasked with analyzing the win streak to determine which elements are sustainable and which were merely products of circumstance before they face divisional contenders.
The unresolved red-zone and third-down failures
While the record is spotless, the underlying data reveals specific areas of concern that the Las Vegas Raiders have yet to solve. The report highlights that red-zone conversions stalled and the team struggled with execution on third-down plays and goal-line situations.
It remains unclear whether these failures are the result of poor play-calling by Klint Kubiak or a lack of chemistry among the offensive starters. Until the Las Vegas Raiders can prove they can finish drives efficiently, their reliance on late-game comebacks may be a liability against elite opponents like the Kansas City Chiefs.
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