Hopes were certainly high for the Las Vegas Raiders heading into their matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season. And while the expectation may not have been for Klint Kubiak's team to emerge victorious, they did just that on Sunday. In rather convincing fashion, too.
It's still early, but the vibe around this Raiders team is just different than it has been. The on-field approach has clearly shifted in a major way, but the attitude has as well. The culture is changing, and these players expect to win; it won't be long until the fanbase and others begin to feel the same way.
Las Vegas is a young team that is learning on the job, and some things still need to be cleaned up before the crux of the schedule begins. But for now, the Silver and Black have a lot more positives to talk about than negatives on the heels of their two-score win over their AFC West rival Chargers.
Positives and negatives from Las Vegas Raiders' Week 2 win over Los Angeles Chargers
Positives
1. Cody White
How can you not start with White?
The practice squad elevation played just seven offensive snaps, but he made the most of them. He caught both of his targets for 24 yards and two pivotal touchdowns, one of which gave the Raiders the lead on a great contested catch, and the other of which was the clincher. Game ball once again.
2. Kirk Cousins
Cousins was a different quarterback on Sunday than he was in Week 1. With Las Vegas' ground game struggling, the veteran put the team on his back and slung it downfield, finding Tre Tucker and others for chunk plays in tight windows, including a 42-yard bomb for a score to Tucker.
He looked decisive, confident and more mobile against Los Angeles than he did against the Miami Dolphins. If Fernando Mendoza is going to sit, it may as well be behind a signal-caller who is balling out, and that is precisely what Cousins did in Week 2 with 253 yards and three touchdowns.
3. Zeke Masses
Pre-draft concerns about Masses not being physical enough to thrive at the NFL level look ridiculous now, as the young cornerback flat-out dominated in his first-ever start. Not only did he record two big interceptions, but Masses made several great tackles and plays against the run. Man, oh, man.
4. Nakobe Dean
Dean is a multiplier on this defense, as he's a great run defender, coverage player and pass rusher. What else does a linebacker need to do? He also makes timely plays, as he punched the ball out with the game on the line. Dean needs to clean up missed tackles, but he was dominant otherwise.
5. Matt Gay
When Gay stepped up to kick a 59-yard field goal on Sunday, I'd be willing to bet that most of Raider Nation didn't have confidence that he would make it. But Gay proved us all wrong again, so perhaps we should stop doubting him. That kick was a career long, and he made every extra point again.
6. Tre Tucker
Tucker was making life difficult on the Los Angeles secondary, particularly in the first half. He finished with five catches for 119 yards and a touchdown, the yardage total being his second-highest of his career. Tucker responding after a quiet Week 1 was refreshing and indicative of what he's capable of.
7. Klint Kubiak
Once again, this team looked incredibly prepared, tough, resilient and confident, which is a testament to the coaching staff and a sign of what they value. Kubiak also demonstrated this by being undeterred by a few miscues; he trusts his players and his gut, which paid off once again on Sunday.
Instead of swallowing his pride after the first "cute" play went wrong, he fired back later with a double pass. Kubiak wasn't afraid to scheme up a play for White in a crucial situation, nor is he ever scared to go for it. And his post-game speech in the locker room makes me want to run through a brick wall.
Bonus: Rob Leonard
Leonard's unit plays with its hair on fire. Are they perfect? Certainly not. But man, there is so much to be excited about once again after the group gave up just 14 points and had three takeaways to pair with more sacks and pressures. Leonard might be so good that he's not in Las Vegas for long.
Negatives
1. Ashton Jeanty
What was up with Jeanty on Sunday?
Beyond his failure to break any big runs or find any consistency on the ground, he just couldn't do the simple things, like catch passes, recording three ugly drops. Jeanty also nearly fumbled the snap on his wildcat play near the goal line. Get him a new pair of gloves; he'll be fine. But a disappointing effort.
2. Offensive line
Although not a disastrous performance by any means, the Raiders' big boys up front certainly took a step back. Cousins was under pressure a lot more, especially in the second half, and Las Vegas just didn't pave obvious lanes for Jeanty or Mike Washington Jr. to run through, as it did a week ago.
3. Run defense struggled
For as good as Leonard's unit played, they also struggled mightily against the run. The Chargers lined them up and ran it down their throats in the first half and finished the game with 127 yards and a score on the ground, averaging 4.0 yards per carry. That is not going to get the job done all season.
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