Evaluating the 3-0 Raiders' strong offensive start
HENDERSON, Nev. -- Klint Kubiakwas one of the best playcallers in this offseason's hiring cycle, and how he has operated theLas Vegas Raiders' offense to start the season is one of the reasons the organization was willing to wait until he helped the Seattle Seahawks win Super Bowl LX before naming him the coach.
The Raiders are in the midst of their first 3-0 start since 2021, the last time they made the postseason, and much of their success is due to Kubiak rejuvenating an offense that was one of the worst in the league in 2025.
Under former coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, the Raiders averaged 14.2 points per game. That total has jumped to 29.3 points per game -- tied for seventh in the NFL.
Las Vegas beginning the season with a functional offense despite an inconsistent rushing attack and its best playmaker, Brock Bowers, missing two games is a testament to Kubiak's playcalling, his ability to put players in the best positions to be successful and veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins' command of the entire operation.
The Raiders will face their biggest test, the Kansas City Chiefs, at home on Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS) with a chance to take possession of first place in the AFC West.
"[Kubiak is] aggressive," tight end Ian Thomas told ESPN. "[But] he knows when to pull back, and he'll take chances when he needs to. It's a combination of a little bit of everything."
THREE GAMES ISa small sample size. But differences from this season compared with last, when the Raiders won a total of three games, have been eye-popping.
In 2025, Las Vegas ranked last in total yards per game (245.2), 30th in yards per play (4.4), 31st in offensive efficiency (20.72), 26th in red zone efficiency (50%), 28th in third-down conversion rate (33.8%) and 31st in EPA (minus-124.11).
So far in 2026, Las Vegas is 17th in total yards per game (322.5), 13th in yards per play (5.2), 10th in offensive efficiency (55.58), 17th in red zone efficiency (55.6%), tied for 14th in third-down conversion rate (42.3%) and 14th in EPA (2.78).
The Raiders also have the fifth-best points margin (10) after ranking 30th in that category in 2025.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that Kubiak has come in and improved the offense. He did the same as the offensive coordinator for the Seahawks a year ago. Seattle averaged 28.4 points per game, which ranked second in franchise history.
What's impressive is that Kubiak is having success with a Raiders offense that entered the season with no wide receivers with a 1,000-yard season. He has found multiple ways to win games and put points on the board while utilizing the talent at hand.
The Raiders began the Kubiak era without Bowers, who underwent a meniscus trim procedure ahead of the season opener against the Miami Dolphins. Still, Bowers' two-week absence didn't hinder the offense like his injury absences did last season. Las Vegas defeated Miami and theLos Angeles Chargers by double figures.
Against the Dolphins, the Raiders were effective in the run game, with running back Ashton Jeanty rushing for 102 yards. In Week 2, Kubiak took advantage of the Chargers' defense through explosive plays, as Cousins had a pair of 40-plus-yard pass attempts, whileTre Tuckertotaled 119 receiving yards. The victory in Los Angeles also saw Kubiak get players such as wideouts Cody White and Dareke Young--mostly known for special teams support -- involved in the passing game. White caught two touchdown passes, while Young made a crucial 27-yard catch in the second half.
Tucker told ESPN that Kubiak's confidence when calling plays and believing in his players has contributed to their success. Cousins said Kubiak's greatest strength in running an offense is getting everyone on the same page.
"I only say that not really off the sample size of the last three weeks, but more off of 2021 [with the Minnesota Vikings], and even him being my quarterback coach in '19 and '20," Cousins said. "And I just appreciate that organizational skills, but also the desire to improve. I think at times we come back from a win, and he doesn't allow the outcome of a win to cause him to let his guard down on things that need to be coached hard, and that's comforting for me because I love kind of feeling like nothing's going to get past his watchful eye."
ONE ELEMENT OFthe Raiders' offense that has been effective is their ability to disguise the run and pass game through heavy personnel groupings. That was on display during their 35-27 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 3, which snapped a franchise-worst 39-game streak of regular-season games without scoring 30 points.
During the team's opening drive, the Raiders were in 22 personnel (two tight ends, two running backs and one wide receiver) and positioned at New Orleans' 35-yard line. With Thomas, mostly known for his blocking ability, and fullback Connor Heyward on the field, it appeared Cousins would hand the ball off to Jeanty.
Instead, Bowers -- who was lined up on the outside -- slipped behind safety Justin Reid and was left uncovered before securing Cousins' pass for an 18-yard reception. Las Vegas ended the drive with a field goal. In the second quarter, the Raiders were near the goal line, with Jeanty and Heyward in the backfield, when Cousins threw a play-action touchdown pass to tight end Michael Mayer.
On 63 plays, the Raiders used 12 personnel (1 TE, 2 RB), 21 personnel (2 TE, 1 RB) and 22 personnel a combined 51 times (80.9%). As a whole, Las Vegas has used multiple running backs on 43.7% of its plays -- the second-highest rate behind the San Francisco 49ers -- and multiple tight ends at a rate of 50.5% -- fourth-highest.
The Raiders have a chance to be even more effective when using heavy personnel groupings now that Bowers is back in the mix. Bowers was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week after he caught 10 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown in Week 3. During his performance, Bowers acted more like a wide receiver than a traditional tight end. He ran 10 routes out wide, 15 in the slot and only eight in tight alignment.
"That's our name of the game. But more so, I think that's just his background," Tucker said. "Very multiple, and we can do a lot of things and put different players in different positions to make plays and have success."
Cousins has been a good conductor, as well. His quick decision-making and knowledge of Kubiak's offense have allowed him to keep the offense rolling. He is tied for the most passing touchdowns in the league with nine. On top of that, he has a completion percentage of 67.4% and a passer rating of 107.2.
Cousins is also the first QB in NFL history age 38 or older to begin a season with three touchdown passes in three straight games.
"He has been a joy to play with," center Tyler Linderbaum said. "I mean, he's a competitor. ... He will do anything it takes to win. You want to play for a guy like that."
Cousins' performance and the offensive line's improved pass protection have gone hand in hand. The unit has allowed only five sacks and posted a pass block win rate of 58.7% -- third-best in the league. Las Vegas ranked 22nd in pass-block win rate (60.7%) in 2025. Starting right tackle DJ Glaze has looked like a completely different player in Year 3. He has only allowed five pressures after giving up 15 pressures through the first three weeks of last season and 72 for the entire season.
"[DJ is] somebody that's a smart football player," offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko said. "Shows up every day to work, but that's the mindset of that whole group."
Handling the Chiefs' defense will be a tall task for Las Vegas. If the Raiders want to remain undefeated, they will need to establish a consistent run game. Rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. broke loose for a 35-yard touchdown run against New Orleans.
But besides that, the team's rushing attack has been inconsistent over the past two weeks, averaging 86 yards per game. Jeanty has averaged 2.6 yards per carry during this stretch. And despite having the fifth-most rushes (93) this season, the Raiders are 31st in yards per carry (3.2) and have only 15 rushing first downs (tied for 24th).
"I think the more at-bats you get, it also gives you more opportunities to not only potentially hit one, but also keep improving as a unit and handling all the different looks you're going to get," Cousins said. "So, we'll stay the course, and I'm confident that we'll be happy with our run game as the year goes on."br/]
