The Saints finally come home with momentum

NEW ORLEANS — After opening the season with difficult road tests at Detroit and Baltimore, the New Orleans Saints finally return to the Caesars Superdome for a Week 3 matchup with the undefeated Las Vegas Raiders.

Tyler Shough on Sunday's home opener pic.twitter.com/lyoD8jFoXr

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 23, 2026

New Orleans enters at 1-1 after rallying past the Ravens 24-17. The Saints showed resilience for the second consecutive week, overcoming a 14-3 deficit after nearly erasing a 21-point hole in their overtime loss to Detroit.

Now the challenge changes. The Raiders are 2-0, have scored at least 26 points in both games and are allowing only 13.5 points per contest. Las Vegas beat Miami in Week 1 and followed it with a 26-14 road victory over the Chargers.

This is an early measuring-stick game for Kellen Moore’s Saints. A win would give New Orleans consecutive victories over AFC opponents, protect its home field and strengthen the belief that the team’s impressive offensive start is sustainable.

Tyler Shough and Chris Olave lead an explosive passing attack

Tyler Shough has opened his second NFL season with 662 passing yards, the league’s highest total through two games. He has completed 68.9 percent of his passes and thrown four touchdowns while directing the NFL’s second-ranked passing attack.

Chris Olave has been his most dangerous weapon. Olave owns 18 receptions for 268 yards and one touchdown, trailing only Amon-Ra St. Brown in catches through two weeks. Devaughn Vele, Juwan Johnson and the rest of the receiving group have helped give Shough answers at multiple levels of the field.

The Saints are averaging 383.5 total yards and 27 points per game, but the attack remains too dependent on the pass. New Orleans ranks 28th in rushing at 78 yards per game. That imbalance could become a serious problem against a Raiders defense built to attack the quarterback.

Maxx Crosby leads a front that has helped Las Vegas record eight sacks, tied for the most in the NFL through two weeks. The Raiders also have three interceptions, and rookie cornerback Hezekiah Masses earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week after intercepting Justin Herbert twice.

Shough has shown he can carry the offense, but New Orleans cannot ask him to survive obvious passing situations all afternoon against Crosby and an opportunistic secondary.

The Raiders are winning with defense, efficiency and field position

Las Vegas is not producing huge offensive totals. The Raiders rank 19th in total offense at 297.5 yards per game, 16th in passing and 23rd in rushing. What they have done is protect the football, finish drives and force opponents to play from bad field position.

The Raiders are plus-two in turnover margin while the Saints are minus-one. Las Vegas also ranks near the top of the league in both kickoff- and punt-return average. Those hidden yards matter in a matchup between two teams capable of playing close games.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins has provided a steady veteran hand for former Saints offensive coordinator and current Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak. Running back Ashton Jeanty remains a home-run threat even though the Las Vegas ground game has not yet broken loose.

Tight end Brock Bowers is another major concern. Bowers was limited in Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury, so his status deserves close attention. If he plays, the Saints must account for him on every critical down. If he is limited or unavailable, Las Vegas loses its most difficult matchup piece in the middle of the field.

The biggest concern for New Orleans: run defense

The Saints are allowing 136.5 rushing yards per game and rank near the bottom of the league in that category. The Raiders average only 93.5 yards on the ground, but Kubiak will understand that New Orleans’ defense is most vulnerable when opponents stay committed to the run.

The Saints must win early downs and put Cousins into longer passing situations. That would allow Brandon Staley to vary coverages and unleash Chase Young, Carl Granderson, Cameron Jordan and Tyree Wilson without constantly worrying about Jeanty breaking into the second level.

New Orleans also needs sound tackling. The Raiders have not generated massive yardage, but their offense is designed to stay patient, create manageable third downs and capitalize on defensive mistakes.

Wednesday injury report

The Saints listed eight players. Wide receiver/returner Barion Brown (hamstring), cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (shoulder) and defensive tackle Christen Miller (toe) did not practice. Running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring), safety Jonas Sanker (knee), defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd (hip) and edge rusher Chase Young (calf) were limited. Linebacker Isaiah Stalbird practiced fully.

Las Vegas listed nine players. Quarterback Aidan O’Connell, for a personal matter, and safety Treydan Stukes, with a concussion, did not practice. Bowers, linebacker Nakobe Dean, defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi, cornerback Darien Porter and receiver Dareke Young were limited.

The Etienne and Bowers situations could significantly shape the game. New Orleans needs Etienne to help balance its offense, while Las Vegas relies on Bowers to command coverage and create favorable matchups elsewhere.

Five keys to a Saints victory

1. Protect Tyler Shough from Maxx Crosby and the Raiders’ front

New Orleans must use chips, quick throws, motion and a credible running game to prevent Crosby from taking over. Long third downs are exactly where Las Vegas wants the game.

2. Create offensive balance

The Saints do not need 200 rushing yards, but they do need enough production to keep the Raiders honest. Etienne’s hamstring status is important. Alvin Kamara and the rest of the backfield may need to carry a larger share if Etienne is limited.

3. Stop Ashton Jeanty before he gets rolling

Las Vegas has not run the ball efficiently through two games, but New Orleans cannot allow that trend to reverse in the Superdome. Better gap discipline and first-contact tackling are essential.

4. Win the turnover battle

The Raiders have built their 2-0 start on defense and ball security. Shough cannot give Masses and the Las Vegas secondary short fields. On the other side, the Saints’ pass rush must make Cousins uncomfortable enough to create takeaway opportunities.

5. Control special teams

Las Vegas ranks second in punt-return average and first in kickoff-return average. With Barion Brown dealing with a hamstring injury, the Saints must be secure in coverage and avoid giving the Raiders free field position. Former Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson could also become an important factor against his old team.

Matchups that could decide the game

Chris Olave vs. the Raiders’ secondary: Olave has been one of the NFL’s most productive receivers. Las Vegas may use bracket coverage and force Shough to win through his secondary options.

Saints offensive tackles vs. Maxx Crosby: Crosby can wreck protections from multiple alignments. New Orleans must know where No. 98 is before every snap.

Saints linebackers and safeties vs. Brock Bowers: If Bowers plays, the defense must prevent him from controlling third down and the red zone.

Ashton Jeanty vs. the Saints’ run defense: New Orleans ranks near the bottom of the league against the run. Jeanty is talented enough to turn one missed fit into a long touchdown.

Klint Kubiak vs. the Saints’ defense: Kubiak served as New Orleans’ offensive coordinator in 2024. His familiarity with several Saints players and the Superdome environment adds an interesting chess match.

Why this game matters

The Saints are tied near the top of an NFC South that remains wide open. A 2-1 record would give New Orleans legitimate early momentum after a demanding opening stretch.

It would also validate the progress of Shough and the offense. The Raiders enter the matchup ranked in the top 10 in total defense and the top five in scoring defense, with league-leading production in sacks and one of the NFL’s best early interception totals.

For Las Vegas, a road win would confirm that its 2-0 start is more than a favorable opening run. For the Saints, this is a chance to announce that the Superdome will once again be a difficult place for visiting teams.

Prediction

This matchup should be tight. The Raiders own the advantages in defense, turnover margin and special teams, while the Saints have the more explosive offense and the best individual offensive matchup in Olave against the Las Vegas secondary.

The deciding factor may be the crowd and New Orleans’ ability to generate just enough balance to slow the Raiders’ pass rush. If Shough avoids turnovers and the Saints hold Jeanty below 100 yards, New Orleans can win its home opener in the fourth quarter.

Prediction: Saints 27, Raiders 23.

References

• New Orleans Saints: official Week 3 game preview
• New Orleans Saints: Wednesday injury report
• Las Vegas Raiders: official Week 3 game preview
• NFL: Raiders at Saints game center