Klint Kubiak earned his first victory as the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders in dramatic fashion over the Houston Texans in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL preseason. After getting in a 17-point hole and trailing the entire contest, some late-game heroics sealed the deal for Las Vegas in the final seconds.
Although wins and losses don't really matter in the preseason, it only took one glance at the Raiders' sideline after the late touchdown to remember just how hard-fought every win is in this league, even if it's just an exhibition. It matters for the culture and the vibes, so any triumph should be celebrated.
But let's not act like Thursday's battle was all sunshine and rainbows. As with any game this time of year, there was a lot to take from it, both good and bad. Let's dive into some of the winners and losers from the Silver and Black's 22-20 conquest over their AFC foe.
Winners and losers from Raiders' big preseason win over the Texans
Winners
1. Rob Leonard
After a rough opener and joint practice with the Texans, a lot of folks wondered how Rob Leonard's defense would respond. Well, they gave up just 13 points in the contest without their starters, seven of which came against Houston's 1s. Las Vegas' pass rush and run defense looked way better. Boom!
2. Dylan Laube
Laube made the most of his seven touches, catching one pass for 14 yards and toting six carries for 37 yards and a score. His night was done early, which is a great sign this time of year. Between this showing and his prowess on special teams, Laube is nearing "lock" status for the 53-man roster.
3. Patrick Johnson
Johnson continues to make his case for the active roster. He got the starting nod on Thursday, and he recorded two more tackles for loss and a sack fumble. Like Laube, Johnson is also a stud on special teams, and he seems to be gaining favor on defense. He just might sneak onto this team.
4. Mike Washington Jr.
For the second week in a row, Washington Jr. broke a big run for the Raiders' offense, turning nothing into something for a 33-yard gain against Houston. He also caught two passes for 18 yards and averaged 6.2 yards per rush on nine carries. Washington Jr. should be a big part of this offense.
5. Treydan Stukes
Stukes had his most impressive showing to date, notching four tackles, including one for a loss. He laid the boom with a few hits, had some nice coverage reps (even if he gave up a reception) and made his presence felt on some blitzes, pressuring the quarterback. Stukes is coming along nicely.
6. Thomas Booker IV
Booker IV wasn't in the game for very long in Houston, but he left quite a mark on the game. He got around a Texans offensive lineman on a speed rush for a sack and made another nice tackle for loss to get them behind the sticks on an early down. Really nice overall outing for him.
7. Aidan O'Connell
O'Connell would have been a loser if the game ended after three and a half quarters, but the grit he showed on the final possession to take the lead makes him a winner. Shoutout to Brandon Johnson, too, with a big catch, and to Devin Lafayette for sealing it with an interception.
8. Defensive line depth
Between Johnson and Booker IV, there was a lot to like. But even guys like Foley Fatukasi and Jahfari Harvey flashed in Thursday's game as well. Cian Slone had another nice outing, too. Keyron Crawford notched a TFL and Gary Smith III fell on a fumble. Good night getting after the QB and against the run.
Losers
1. Roman Hemby
It's hard to list Hemby as a loser on a night that he ran for 4.5 yards per carry. But both Laube and Dare Ogunbowale did more with their touches, putting his roster spot in jeopardy. Plus, those two are great special teamers, and Hemby had a penalty in that phase tonight and hasn't broken a return yet.
2. Jordan Meredith
The center is responsible for communicating and setting protections. So, when Kayden McDonald came through the A gap unblocked, the onus was on Meredith. He had a handful of other bad reps tonight and didn't exactly hustle to get back into the play on Fernando Mendoza's pick-six, either.
3. Malik Benson
Benson had a really rough outing. After catching his first target for an 18-yard gain, he dropped the next two. One was just a straight-up drop on third down that killed the drive, and another he got the ball punched out. In the second half, he didn't catch either pass thrown to him by O'Connell.
4. Offensive line depth
In an overall sense, the second-string offensive line didn't look too great on Thursday. Trey Zuhn III had his "welcome to the NFL" moment with Jadeveon Clowney, and the group, as a whole, didn't keep Mendoza clean nor pave lanes for Washington Jr. The unit just looked a bit disjointed.
5. Kansei Matsuzawa
Matsuzawa missed two extra points against the Texans. Not much else needs to be said. It was painful to watch, and it is looking more and more likely that he won't even be on the practice squad, let alone the 53-man roster. Hopefully, he bounces back, but the Raiders have likely seen enough.
Add us as a preferred source on Google