The 2026 Las Vegas Raiders are officially facing some real adversity after losing their last two games. The team is still 3-2, which has them in decent standing in the AFC West, but the embarrassing Week 5 loss to the New England Patriots has everyone concerned about which direction Las Vegas is heading.
The league is only entering Week 6, so there’s still plenty of football to be played. For the most part, every team still controls their own destiny, and will ultimately determine the official narrative that will be set about them. In the meantime, the NFL world is coming up with its own narratives, so let’s take a look at some things being said about Las Vegas.
- Did Raiders fool the NFL?
- Raiders’ injury updates
- Raiders’ upcoming schedule will determine if they’re contenders or pretenders
Did Raiders fool the NFL?
Las Vegas started the 2026 season with a 3-0 record, quickly matching their 2025 win total. The Raiders were starting to get praise for quickly turning things around under first-year head coach Klint Kubiak, but there was still a question about just how seriously Las Vegas should be taken.
Then Week 4 came, and the Raiders had the Kansas City Chiefs on the ropes. Kansas City ultimately escaped with a 30-27 victory, but the close loss for Vegas was enough for the team to finally be taken seriously. Unfortunately, the Raiders lost all that respect a week later by losing to the New England Patriots 45-17.
Now, analysts are saying things like Las Vegas has been exposed, or that the clock has struck midnight. While it could just be one bad game, people are running with the idea that the Raiders are back to being the bad team they were expected to be again this season.
Raiders’ injury updates
As Las Vegas looks to get back on track, they will hope to welcome some offensive weapons back into the lineup. Veteran wide receiver Jalen Nailor missed the Week 5 game with a concussion, but Kubiak announced on Monday that the wide receiver will return to practice this week. If everything goes well, he should clear concussion protocol and be back on the field.
Nailor hasn’t posted big receiving numbers yet this season, only catching five passes for 52 yards, but his speed and run blocking have been important for the offense.
Wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr., who is still on injured reserve, is entering the second week of his practice window being opened. Kubiak said the team expects him to take another jump this week, and Las Vegas wants to see Thornton go out and compete in practice to prove that he’s ready to go.
Defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway is also in concussion protocol after leaving Sunday’s game in the first quarter.
Raiders’ upcoming schedule will determine if they’re contenders or pretenders
Las Vegas is coming off an ugly loss, and while the game has people quick to jump to conclusions, what the Raiders do next will ultimately determine if the game against New England was just a one off or the start of a trend. Vegas’ upcoming opponets are tough, though, so this will be a defining stretch for the team.
In Week 6, the Raiders take on the 4-1 Buffalo Bills, then they face a 2-3 Los Angeles Rams team that is determined to get on the right track. After that Las Vegas has a game against the 2-3 New York Jets, then the Raiders face the 5-0 San Francisco 49ers and 3-2 Seattle Seahawks.
It’s not hyperbole to say this five-game stretch could make or break Las Vegas’ season. While the lineup of opponents will definitely be a tough test, it provides an opportunity for the Raiders to prove they’re a serious contender.
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