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Saints vs. Raiders Week 3 Preview: Big Q and GraphkRaider Break Down the Superdome Showdown

The Who Dat Daily Staff
New Orleans Saints and Las Vegas Raiders players featured in a Week 3 preview for the 2026 NFL season.

NEW ORLEANS — Who Dat Nation and Raider Nation came together Thursday night when Big Q welcomed GraphkRaider of OLV Raiders Network to The Sports Coma for an in-depth preview of Sunday’s Week 3 matchup between the New Orleans Saints and Las Vegas Raiders.

The 1-1 Saints will play their 2026 home opener after completing a 24-17 comeback victory over the Baltimore Ravens. The Raiders arrive at 2-0 following victories over Miami and the Los Angeles Chargers, including a convincing 26-14 divisional win at SoFi Stadium.

Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday, September 27, at 3:25 p.m. Central inside Caesars Superdome. CBS will televise the game.

The crossover conversation covered the coaching chess match, Tyler Shough’s fast start, Kirk Cousins’ efficiency, the Maxx Crosby problem, Brock Bowers’ health and the injuries that could shape the game. Big Q and GraphkRaider also presented their keys to victory before closing with competing score predictions.

Two Teams Carrying Momentum Into New Orleans

The Saints and Raiders enter Week 3 from different positions, but both have reasons for confidence.

New Orleans erased a 14-3 deficit in Baltimore and scored 15 unanswered fourth-quarter points. Shough scored the go-ahead touchdown on a fourth-and-goal run with 1:28 remaining, and safety Julian Blackmon sealed the victory with an interception on the Ravens’ final possession.

The comeback demonstrated the Saints’ toughness, but it also reinforced a concern Big Q raised throughout the show: New Orleans cannot continue falling into deep early holes and expecting Shough to produce another late rescue.

Las Vegas has been steadier. The Raiders have scored 26 points in both games and are attempting to begin a season 3-0 for the first time since 2021. Cousins has completed nearly 68 percent of his passes for 413 yards and six touchdowns, while the Raiders’ defense has consistently created pressure and short fields.

GraphkRaider described Las Vegas as a team still developing under first-year coach Klint Kubiak but already benefiting from a clear offensive identity and strong veteran leadership.

Kellen Moore vs. Klint Kubiak

One of the show’s most interesting themes was the strategic battle between Kellen Moore and Kubiak, two young offensive-minded head coaches with aggressive systems.

Kubiak served as the Saints’ offensive coordinator in 2024 and now returns to the Superdome leading an undefeated Raiders team. Moore has New Orleans ranked seventh in total offense and second in passing through two games.

Both coaches understand how to create favorable matchups with motion, play-action and personnel versatility. The difference may come down to which coach protects his offense’s biggest weakness.

Moore must help replacement left tackle Asim Richards against Crosby and keep Shough out of obvious passing situations. Kubiak must prevent Cousins from being pressured into mistakes by Brandon Staley’s aggressive defensive fronts and blitz packages.

The game could become an offensive chess match, but both hosts agreed that line play will ultimately decide whether either system operates as intended.

Tyler Shough Has Become the Saints’ Offensive Engine

Shough enters Week 3 leading the NFL with 662 passing yards and 62 completions. His toughness, processing and late-game composure have been defining elements of New Orleans’ opening two weeks.

The second-year quarterback led a furious comeback in the overtime loss to Detroit before directing another rally against Baltimore. He completed 12 of 14 passes for 119 yards and accounted for two touchdowns during the Saints’ decisive fourth quarter against the Ravens.

Big Q praised Shough’s growth and refusal to fold after mistakes. At the same time, he emphasized that the Saints cannot make their quarterback carry the entire offense every week.

New Orleans must produce more on the ground with Alvin Kamara and Travis Etienne Jr. The rushing attack has struggled to establish consistency, allowing opposing defenses to attack Shough with pressure packages and deep pass rush rotations.

That imbalance becomes particularly dangerous against Las Vegas.

Maxx Crosby vs. Asim Richards Is the Defining Matchup

The Saints placed starting left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. on injured reserve after he underwent a procedure to repair a high ankle sprain suffered against Baltimore. Richards is expected to replace him and protect Shough’s blind side.

His first assignment could not be much more difficult.

Crosby remains the emotional and physical centerpiece of the Raiders’ defense. Big Q compared the relentless edge rusher to a wildebeest, an appropriate description of a defender who wins with power, effort and a motor that rarely shuts down.

Las Vegas recorded eight sacks through its first two games, with Crosby, Malcolm Koonce and Kwity Paye driving a deep defensive front. The Raiders will attempt to isolate Crosby against Richards and disrupt Shough before longer routes can develop.

The Saints can help Richards with tight ends, running-back chips, quick passes and a more credible ground game. They can also move the pocket and use tempo to keep Las Vegas from freely rotating its rushers.

Richards performed well enough after replacing Banks during the Baltimore comeback. Sunday will provide a much more sustained test.

Kirk Cousins Looks Comfortable in Kubiak’s System

GraphkRaider credited Cousins’ command of Kubiak’s offense as a major reason for the Raiders’ 2-0 start.

Cousins may no longer possess the strongest arm in the league, but he continues to win with anticipation, accuracy and fast decisions. His six touchdown passes are tied for the NFL lead, and his experience allows Kubiak to make adjustments without simplifying the offense.

The veteran has also given rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza time to develop without being rushed into the starting lineup.

For New Orleans, the goal is to move Cousins off his spot and prevent him from delivering the ball on schedule. Staley’s defense created three sacks against Lamar Jackson and held Baltimore to three second-half points. Chase Young led the charge with 1.5 sacks and was upgraded to a full practice participant Thursday after being limited Wednesday with a calf issue.

If Young, Bryan Bresee, Nathan Shepherd and Davon Godchaux can collapse the pocket, the Saints can force Cousins into hurried decisions and create turnover opportunities.

Brock Bowers Changes the Raiders’ Offense

Bowers was another major topic during the crossover show. The dynamic tight end was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday with a knee injury, but GraphkRaider expected him to play without a significant snap restriction.

Kubiak can align Bowers as an in-line tight end, in the slot, on the boundary or in an H-back role. That versatility forces defenses to declare their coverage and creates difficult matchups against linebackers and safeties.

GraphkRaider relayed an especially memorable description of Bowers as a “football robot from heaven.” The Saints will need multiple answers for him rather than assigning the responsibility to a single defender.

Las Vegas also has other weapons capable of punishing excessive attention on Bowers. Tre Tucker entered the week after producing 119 yards and a touchdown, while Cody White scored twice against the Chargers. Running back Ashton Jeanty has accumulated 210 scrimmage yards through two games, and Michael Mayer, Jack Bech and Connor Heyward give Kubiak additional personnel options.

The Saints must control Bowers without allowing Tucker and White to create explosive plays outside.

Ashton Jeanty vs. the Saints’ Run Defense

GraphkRaider listed establishing Jeanty as one of Las Vegas’ primary keys to victory.

The Raiders want the running game to keep Cousins ahead of the chains and slow New Orleans’ pass rush. Jeanty averaged only 2.3 yards per carry against the Chargers and will be looking for a stronger performance in the Superdome.

The Saints’ run defense responded well against Baltimore, holding Derrick Henry below 70 rushing yards after entering the game as one of the league’s most dangerous backs. But New Orleans has still allowed five yards per carry through two games.

Kaden Elliss and Young will be central to setting the edge, while the interior defensive line must prevent Jeanty from consistently reaching the second level.

If Las Vegas establishes the run, Bowers and Cousins will become even more dangerous off play-action. If New Orleans forces third-and-long, Staley can unleash the pressure packages that changed the Baltimore game.

Injuries Could Reshape Both Game Plans

The Thursday injury report contained several important developments.

For New Orleans, receiver and return specialist Barion Brown, cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. and defensive lineman Christen Miller missed practice for the second consecutive day. Etienne remained limited with a hamstring injury, while Kendre Miller did not practice because of an illness.

There was encouraging news for the defense. Young, safety Jonas Sanker and Shepherd were upgraded to full participation. Godchaux received a rest day Thursday.

For Las Vegas, Bowers remained limited with his knee injury. Safety Treydan Stukes missed a second consecutive practice while in the concussion protocol, and Paye did not practice because of an illness. Cornerback Darien Porter, linebacker Nakobe Dean and defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi improved to full participation.

Stukes’ availability could be particularly important. If he cannot play, the Saints may have opportunities to attack the Raiders vertically with Chris Olave and Bryce Lance.

The final Friday injury report will determine each player’s official game status.

GraphkRaider’s Three Keys for Las Vegas

GraphkRaider identified three priorities for the Raiders:

  1. Establish Jeanty and the running game early. Las Vegas must control the clock, remain balanced and prevent New Orleans from attacking Cousins with predictable passing situations.
  2. Protect the football. Cousins cannot give Shough and Olave additional possessions in a loud home environment.
  3. Win with the defensive line. Crosby and Koonce must exploit the Saints’ change at left tackle and prevent Shough from establishing a comfortable rhythm.

Big Q’s Three Keys for New Orleans

The Saints’ path is equally clear:

  1. Create rushing balance. Kamara and Etienne must help New Orleans avoid becoming a one-dimensional passing team.
  2. Start faster. The Saints cannot rely on another dramatic second-half comeback against an undefeated opponent.
  3. Attack the secondary. If Stukes is unavailable or limited, Moore should create vertical opportunities for Olave and Lance while using quick throws to reduce Crosby’s impact.

Opposing Predictions Set the Stage

The hosts agreed that the matchup should be competitive but differed on the final outcome.

Big Q predicted a tight defensive battle, selecting the Saints to win 24-21 in their home opener.

GraphkRaider forecast a more explosive game and picked the Raiders to escape New Orleans with a 34-31 victory.

The score predictions reflect the central question surrounding Sunday’s matchup. Will the Saints’ defense turn the game into a physical struggle, or will two creative offenses force the contest into a shootout?

New Orleans has the quarterback production and home-field energy to hand Las Vegas its first loss. The Raiders have the defensive front and offensive balance to spoil the Saints’ Superdome return.

Whichever team protects its quarterback, controls the early downs and avoids the costly turnover will have the clearest path to 2-1 or 3-0.

References

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