Las Vegas Raiders Improve to 3-0 After Rallying Past Saints in New Orleans

The Las Vegas Raiders remained unbeaten after overcoming a double-digit deficit to defeat the New Orleans Saints 35-27 on Sunday, giving the team a 3-0 start to the 2026 NFL season. The victory came on the road at Caesars Superdome and extended the Raiders' strong opening run.

The Raiders entered the game with a 2-0 record and faced a Saints team playing its home opener. New Orleans built an early advantage, but Las Vegas gradually shifted the game before producing a decisive fourth quarter.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins threw three touchdown passes in the victory, helping the Raiders overcome an 11-point second-half deficit. Las Vegas also capitalized on four New Orleans turnovers during the fourth quarter, turning mistakes by the Saints into opportunities that helped determine the outcome.

The return of tight end Brock Bowers added another significant element to the Raiders' offense. Bowers had been dealing with a knee injury and returned to action against New Orleans, contributing to an offensive performance that allowed Las Vegas to complete the comeback.

Bowers' presence had been closely watched during the week because of his importance to the Raiders' passing game. His return provided Cousins with another major receiving option and helped the offense maintain pressure after New Orleans established control early.

Las Vegas' defense also played an important role in the turnaround. The Raiders took advantage of New Orleans' mistakes late in the game, and the four turnovers in the fourth quarter provided additional possessions during the period when the outcome was decided.

The victory gave the Raiders their first 3-0 start in the current season and maintained their position among the NFL's undefeated teams after three weeks. The team had previously defeated the Los Angeles Chargers before adding Sunday's road victory to its record.

For Las Vegas, the result also continued an encouraging opening stretch under head coach Klint Kubiak. The Raiders entered the season with questions about how the team would perform over a full schedule, but the first three games produced three victories, including a road comeback.

The game was also notable for the individual performances that shaped the final result. Cousins' three touchdown passes provided the scoring foundation, while Bowers' return strengthened the passing attack. The defense's ability to capitalize on turnovers then helped Las Vegas complete the comeback.

The Saints had opportunities to maintain their lead but struggled to protect the advantage as the game progressed. Four fourth-quarter turnovers proved especially costly and allowed the Raiders to generate additional scoring opportunities.

For Las Vegas fans, the 35-27 result provided another significant early-season moment for a franchise seeking to establish consistency. The Raiders now move forward at 3-0, while the Saints fall to 1-2 following the home defeat.

The victory does not determine the Raiders' longer-term season, but it gives the team a perfect record after three games and another example of its ability to respond after falling behind. The comeback in New Orleans also demonstrated the importance of complementary play, with the offense producing touchdowns while the defense created the turnovers needed to change the game.