Las Vegas Raiders Have Started Season With 3-0 Record
The Raiders secured an undefeated start to the season behind a dominant defensive performance.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Football
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The Las Vegas Raiders have kicked off the season with a perfect 3-0 record. The team has relied heavily on a strong defensive effort to maintain its early momentum.
Why it matters
The Raiders currently rely on a defensive strategy that emphasizes limiting opposing run games on early downs. This approach has allowed the team to dictate the pace of play against its first three opponents.
Linebacker Nakobe Dean has recorded three forced fumbles and a 94.3 run defense grade during the team's undefeated start. These metrics represent a significant defensive anchor for the franchise.
The players
Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders are a professional American football team that competes in the National Football League.
Nakobe Dean
Nakobe Dean is a professional linebacker who currently leads the Las Vegas Raiders in tackles and forced fumbles.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team that maintains a long-standing division rivalry with the Raiders.
Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes is the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs who holds a dominant 13-2 career record against the Raiders.
The details
The Raiders utilize Nakobe Dean to limit the effectiveness of the opposing run game and force opponents into a one-dimensional passing approach. This defensive pressure is essential for the team as they look toward future matchups against challenging opponents like the Kansas City Chiefs.
Timeline
The Las Vegas Raiders achieved a 3-0 start during the current season.
Season Trajectory
The Raiders must limit Kenneth Walker on early downs to beat the Kansas City Chiefs and improve upon their current division standing. Maintaining this 3-0 momentum is critical as the team seeks to overcome the historical hurdle posed by Patrick Mahomes.
The Raiders face a high-stakes matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs where defensive execution on early downs will determine if the team can maintain its undefeated standing. Successfully containing the run remains the primary indicator of the team's ability to remain competitive in the division.
The takeaway
The Raiders have established a defensive identity built on high-impact plays and solid run-stop grades. Consistent early-down success will be the deciding factor in whether the team can remain a playoff contender throughout the remainder of the season.
Further reading
For more news on the team, visit the Football section.
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