The Las Vegas Raiders are hoping to start the 2026 NFL season 3-0, which would be their first such start since 2021. They'll face Klint Kubiak’s former team, the New Orleans Saints, in what is technically their second straight road game, but their first time playing without a home crowd.
New Orleans is also in high spirits after a comeback win on the road in Week 2. They surprised and beat the Baltimore Ravens 24-17 last Sunday, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter. They almost pulled off a comeback the previous week against the Detroit Lions, too, but fell just short in overtime.
One reason for their hot start is Tyler Shough's play. Shough is in his second year in the NFL and appears to want to break out in his sophomore campaign. After two games, he is second in the league in passing yards, and his head coach, Kellen Moore, is leaning on him to run the offense.
But Rob Leonard and the Raiders' defense can change the game by ramping up the pressure on the still-young quarterback.
Raiders DC Rob Leonard has to manufacture pressure vs. Saints' Tyler Shough
Shough's poor handling of pressure is one area that the Silver and Black can exploit, as the former Louisville Cardinal has been sacked eight times already in two games, and he is the most pressured quarterback in the entire league so far this season.
He habitually tries to leave the pocket, which has led to a pressure-to-sack ratio of 23%, according to PFF. On the flip side, the Raiders have a 50% pressure rate, consistently getting pressure in Weeks 1 and 2. Leonard has found ways to accomplish this with exotic blitzes and simulated pressures.
If the Raiders can get home on Shough, he has a history of panicking and making mistakes. While he has excelled against the blitz at times when they don't get home, he will frequently make questionable decisions that can hurt the team.
The play below isnt a blitz, but it shows the mistakes that Shough can make under pressure. Against the Lions in Week 1, the Saints run a levels concept over the middle of the field. After the snap, Alim McNeil wins against the interior offensive line and gets pressure up the middle.
It forces Shough into an errant throw, leading to a pick and a turnover for the Lions.
Getting pressure on Shough will be paramount for the Raiders to win this game on the road. Leonard has been successful early in the season at generating pressure on the quarterback, leading to eight sacks. Hopefully he can duplicate this on Sunday.
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