The Las Vegas Raiders pulled out of an 11-point third-quarter deficit for a comeback road win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season. Several players contributed to the victory, but three veterans deserve recognition for their strong second-half performances.
This week's 2026 free-agent stock report highlights an acquisition who helped lead a defensive surge that put immense pressure on Tyler Shough in the fourth quarter. Many have overlooked a game-changing pass breakup from another offseason addition in the final quarter as well.
Lastly, the Raiders may not make a quarterback change anytime soon if their bridge-gap option keeps throwing touchdown passes as he has through the first month of the campaign.
Raiders have productive offensive and defensive leaders who helped turn the tide of their Week 3 matchup in a critical stretch
1. QB Kirk Cousins
For a third consecutive week, Kirk Cousins has thrown three touchdown passes, but for the first time this season, he did it without also throwing an interception.
Cousins is tied with Brock Purdy for a league-leading nine touchdown passes. At some point, his touchdown rate will drop, but if he continues to play at an efficient level, we may not see Fernando Mendoza this season, especially if the Raiders are in the playoff hunt late in the year.
While most fans would love a glimpse of Mendoza as soon as possible, Cousins' performances could delay the rookie's debut, and that's not a bad thing. The Raiders don't need to rush their top pick into action, and they're good enough to support him when it's his time to take over the offense.
2. LB Nakobe Dean
During the offseason, fans worried about Nakobe Dean's durability because of his injury history and spring absences, but he's been healthy since training camp and has played 98% of the defensive snaps so far.
Against the Saints, the Raiders' defense cranked up its intensity in the fourth quarter. Although Dean didn't record a sack, he made several stops and forced a fumble on a Juwan Johnson reception to seal the win.
In recent years, the defense has struggled to close out games because it lacked playmakers around Maxx Crosby. Dean has forced a fumble in the fourth quarter of all three games this season. He's not a pass-rushing wingman for Crosby, but he's an impactful closer in Rob Leonard's unit.
3. DB Taron Johnson
You won't find Taron Johnson's name in the headlines of Las Vegas' win over New Orleans, but he made one of the biggest defensive plays that prevented a touchdown late in the third quarter.
Saints signal-caller Tyler Shough threw a deep ball down the middle to wideout Devaughn Vele; Johnson trailed him but still managed to break up the pass in Raiders' territory.
If the Saints score on that play, they would've swung the momentum back in their favor after running back Mike Washington Jr.'s touchdown and went up two scores.
Johnson has had a quiet start to the season, but he logged his first pass breakup as a Raider in a critical moment.
Moe Moton writes about the Raiders for Just Blog Baby. You can follow him on Twitter at @MoeMoton.
Add us as a preferred source on Google