Do you know what’s different through three football games?
So far, the Las Vegas Raiders know how to win.
They make the most important plays at the most critical times.
It’s not like in recent seasons. It’s not like before. And the record shows it.
The Raiders on Sunday did it again, winning their third straight to open the season with a 35-27 victory at New Orleans.
Las Vegas won three games all last year. Yeah. Seems like a long, long time ago.
Winning players
It didn’t fold Sunday when falling behind by 11 points in the third quarter. It found a way for a second straight week on the road. And make no mistake — one of the main reasons this is happening is because of the type of players John Spytek, as general manager, brought aboard in the offseason.
He didn’t just sign talent, but many who had previously played for winning franchises. The Ravens. The Packers. The Eagles. The Vikings. The Steelers. The 49ers. The Seahawks.
Guys who know what success in the league feels like. Guys who know what it takes. Guys who didn’t come here and accept what most assumed was a fate of continued losing.
And it can be contagious. Younger players can follow such a lead. They can learn over time how what is occurring can remain a consistent theme.
Credit also coach Klint Kubiak for rightly keeping things in perspective. For pushing the right buttons within the locker room and on the field, for not overreacting to three weeks. It’s a really long season. He knows it. He also knows how special the feeling is when you win in the NFL.
His postgame speech Sunday centered on resilience, which the Raiders definitely showed much of in rallying for the victory. He talked about them believing in each other and fighting until the very end. How proud he is of them. Proud of the effort. That they’re 3-0 because of how hard they work and how they care about each other and how important this is to them.
That it’s significant they keep getting closer and closer as they keep winning tough games.
“Again, it’s three games,” Kubiak told the media afterwards. “We’re not taking anyone’s flowers. It’s a one-game season from here on out.”
No quarterback has thrown for three scores in his first three games with a new team in NFL history until now. Kirk Cousins has done it. And he had plenty of help Sunday, especially from what is now a healthy tight end in Brock Bowers (10 catches for 116 yards and a touchdown), who is simply a ridiculously great football player.
A defense that certainly gave up its share over three quarters forced four turnovers in the final one, taking from the Saints any chance of the home team coming back.
Kubiak talked about a team effort and he was spot on. About a lot of things.
“Guys enjoy being around each other,” star edge rusher Maxx Crosby said. “Guys enjoy putting in the work together and finding solutions instead of complaining or looking for an out. Everyone is trying to get on the same page towards one common goal and that’s why we’re having success early on.”
Coming next
There was no panic from them Sunday when things didn’t look so rosy. No finger-pointing. They remained connected. They just kept playing. They trusted one another.
“The team found a way to win, and that’s what good teams do,” Kubiak said. “It’s a 17-game season so we can’t be happy or satisfied. We put ourselves in a good position. We know what’s coming next week (when Kansas City visits Allegiant Stadium). Just take it one game at a time. That’s how you win games.
“You don’t look too far ahead and you don’t look behind. Just keep your eyes on the prize and get better every day.”
So then we’ll look behind.
This is a different team. This isn’t like before.
Why?
So far, the Raiders have proven many things, most of them good, and none more important than this: They know how to win.
That’s some kind of roster building.
Ed Graney, a Sigma Delta Chi Award winner for sports column writing, can be reached at egraney@reviewjournal.com. Follow @edgraney on X.
