Saints' Shough, WRs face tough Raiders pass defense

The New Orleans Saints will host the Las Vegas Raiders for their home opener on Sunday, September 28, 2026. The Saints, currently 1-1, are aiming for consecutive wins after a road victory against the Baltimore Ravens. The Raiders arrive with a 2-0 record, having secured wins against the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers.

New Orleans' passing game has been a league standout in the early 2026 season, led by quarterback Tyler Shough, who leads the NFL in passing yards per game. Shough has demonstrated mobility, arm strength, accuracy, and poise, emerging as a franchise leader. He has developed strong chemistry with tight end Juwan Johnson and possesses talented receivers in Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele.

However, the Saints' offensive line faces a critical test against the Raiders' faster and improved defense. Las Vegas boasts a formidable pass rush anchored by Maxx Crosby and aided by Kwity Paye and Malcolm Koonce. The Raiders' secondary, with cornerbacks Darien Porter, Eric Stokes, and Taron Johnson, has also shown improvement, highlighted by rookie Hezekiah Masses' two interceptions.

The Saints' running backs, Travis Etienne and Alvin Kamara, who have been underutilized in the passing game, may see more involvement to exploit matchups. Despite the Raiders' defensive strengths, the Saints' receivers are expected to have an advantage. Ultimately, the Saints' success will hinge on their offensive line's ability to protect Shough against the Raiders' pass rush.