Whoa. The Las Vegas Raiders are 3-0. To get there, they had to fight through a chaotic game in New Orleans, and in the end they got the job done with a 35-27 win over the Saints. Now, let’s get into the knee-jerk reactions.
Sign Klint Kubiak for Life
It’s amazing what good coaching can do. A year ago, the Raiders were an embarrassment to the sport. Now they legitimately look like one of the better teams in the NFL. Despite significant roster turnover, the team is not that different from last season’s. The biggest change has been the coaching staff.
This year’s Raiders look prepared, cohesive and full of fire, none of which could be said about last season’s team, led by Sleepy Pete and his derelict sons. Not only does Kubiak have the team playing good football, but his offensive scheme is downright phenomenal. The way the offense has consistently moved the ball through the first three weeks has been a revelation. It has been years since a Raiders offense looked like this, maybe since 2016. Honestly, though, it is more reminiscent of Jon Gruden’s offenses during his first stint in the early 2000s.
Kubiak looked even more in his bag this week now that he has his star back…
Brock Bowers Will Still Catch 100 Balls This Year
Missing two games will not hurt Bowers’ numbers much in this offense. Goodness gracious. Between his versatility, athleticism and football IQ, Bowers seems to have an endless list of ways to attack opposing defenses. The scheme, with its heavy use of multiple-tight-end sets, does not hurt either.
This was the first time we saw the new offense with Bowers in the fold, and it is already abundantly clear he will be the centerpiece. That should not come as a surprise. Kubiak went into the first two games intent on getting his best players involved as much as possible, regardless of position. Now that the Raiders have their best offensive player back, the game plan finally looks the way it should.
While there is a lot to be excited about on offense, one glaring issue remains on defense…
Isaiah Pola-Mao is a Liability
With rookie Treydan Stukes out with a concussion, Pola-Mao has been thrust back into a starting role. That is nothing new for the former USC safety, who has been in and out of the lineup for most of his Raiders career. Yet he has never looked worse than he did Sunday in New Orleans. Maybe it is a matter of scheme fit. Or maybe he has always been average, and it is only obvious now because the rest of the defense is so much better this year. Either way, something has to change.
Related: Jalen Nailor’s slow start this season isn’t all on him
Fortunately, Stukes should return soon, as it should only be a matter of clearing concussion protocol. Unless he is back in time for this week’s game against the Chiefs, however, the Raiders must find a way to fill the hole at free safety. Otherwise, Patrick Mahomes will pick on Pola-Mao all day. One option is to give another rookie defensive back, Dalton Johnson, a shot. He may not be a perfect fit at free safety, but the Raiders could move him and Taron Johnson around. It cannot be worse than what we just saw.
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images