As the 2026 NFL season rolls into late September, the Las Vegas Raiders find themselves at a crossroads. After passing their first two tests, the Silver and Black face a stern Week 3 challenge on the road against the New Orleans Saints. Kickoff is set for 1:25 p.m. PST on CBS, and according to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, all eyes will be on the Raiders' secondary as they attempt to contain one of the league's most explosive young receivers, Chris Olave.
The Shough-to-Olave Connection
The Saints, an up-and-coming force in the NFC, have found their franchise quarterback in Tyler Shough. Since taking over as starter 11 games ago, Shough has developed a potent rapport with Olave, connecting 76 times for 962 yards and six touchdowns. Over the past two weeks, this duo has been arguably the best in the league at stretching defenses vertically, consistently generating explosive plays. As highlighted on Vulius, Olave's versatility—splitting time evenly between left and right outside receiver and the slot—makes him a nightmare for opposing defensive backs. Every Raiders corner and safety will need to be on high alert, as Olave can line up anywhere and torch any coverage.
Raiders Secondary: Stingy but Untested
Las Vegas enters the game ranked 11th in the NFL, allowing just 368 passing yards through two games. However, that unit hasn't faced a passing attack as dynamic as New Orleans'. The defensive backfield is riddled with question marks: rookie free safety Treydan Stukes is in concussion protocol, and Week 1 starting corner Darien Porter missed the Chargers game with a foot injury and was limited in Wednesday's practice. Rookie corner Hezekiah Masses, fresh off an AFC Defensive Player of the Week performance with two interceptions, might start anyway—but Sunday would mark just his second career start. Veterans Eric Stokes and Taron Johnson have also struggled with consistency in coverage early on. Defensive coordinator Rob Leonard faces a monumental task: scheming ways to slow down Olave without exposing his inexperienced and banged-up secondary.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Chris Olave vs. Raiders' corners: Whether it's Masses, Stokes, or Johnson, whoever draws Olave must be physical at the line and disciplined in their technique. Olave's route-running and deep speed can exploit any hesitation.
- Tyler Shough vs. Raiders' pass rush: If the Raiders can generate pressure with four, they can force Shough into mistakes. But if Shough has time, he'll pick apart the secondary.
- Hezekiah Masses' encore: After a breakout performance, Masses must prove he's not a one-hit wonder against a far superior receiving corps.
For the Raiders to escape New Orleans with a win, they must limit Olave's explosive plays and force the Saints to beat them elsewhere. It's a tall order, but as the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk sees it, this game will reveal whether Las Vegas' secondary is truly for real or merely a product of soft early-season matchups.
Final Thoughts
Sunday's showdown is more than just a Week 3 game; it's a measuring stick for both teams. The Saints are eager to prove they belong among the NFC's elite, while the Raiders aim to show their defensive resurgence is legitimate. With Olave lining up all over the formation, the chess match between Leonard and Saints head coach will be fascinating. Will the Raiders' secondary hold up, or will Olave run wild? Tune in to CBS to find out—and for all your NFL merchandise needs, visit Vulius.com to gear up for the season.
Looking to represent Eric Stokes? Grab your Eric Stokes jersey or design a personalized NFL Jersey at Vulius.
