The Raiders opened with a defense-first blueprint as the offense rebuilt around new pieces, but Week 3’s loss to Washington exposed flaws across all three phases. The defense remains Las Vegas’ best bet, yet its snap counts and rotations must stay agile, guided by a game-plan that can shift after kickoff.

Thomas Booker stressed tighter scheme discipline while Chicago’s Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson threaten to test the Raiders’ secondary. Week 4 looms as pivotal: a rebound with steadier pressure and cleaner coverage is needed to keep pace in a volatile early-season slate.

Commanders seize control early and never relinquish, riding Marcus Mariota's efficient attack to a 41-24 win over Las Vegas. A 69-yard Deebo Samuel kickoff return set up the opening rushing TD, and Mariota connected with Luke McCaffrey on a 43-yard score late to seal it. Geno Smith faced relentless heat, finishing with 289 yards and three TDs, but the Raiders were overwhelmed by the run game and a leaky line, totaling 201 rushing yards allowed and 93 on the ground. The coaching staff acknowledged the warts, while several Raiders personnel battled pressure and surgical execution in a difficult afternoon.

Las Vegas slid to 0-2 in the run game and 0-2 in the trenches, as Alex Cappa moved to right guard in a rotate-and-find setup, and Jackson Powers-Johnson watched from the sideline. The defense yielded big plays and special-teams miscues compounded the deficit, underscoring systemic issues that fantasy managers will weigh when projecting future matchups and lineups.

Two weeks into the season, the Raiders’ defensive line is stealing headlines. Jonah Laulu has surged to the forefront with 3 sacks, sitting just behind the league leaders, while Thomas Booker IV has flashed elite interior pressure after a camp trade for Jakorian Bennett. Las Vegas has also benefited from the Wilkins release and big paydays for Crosby, Butler, and Koonce, fueling a top-5 run defense early.

Early returns point to a transformative interior rush for Las Vegas, with Laulu and Booker forming a dynamic pair that could lift the unit all season. If the trend holds, the Raiders’ schemed pressure and run-stopping ability may redefine the defense in fantasy alike.