Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said Monday that he sees strong potential in his defensive unit, even as the team has allowed 30 or more points in six straight games – a mark that ties a record held by only a handful of teams.
Defensive outlook
Kubiak emphasized his confidence in defensive coordinator Rob Leonard and the entire staff. “I see us doing the things we said we were going to do better,” he told reporters. “Stand behind the defensive staff, stand behind our players. We brought people here to get the job done and develop players for the long haul.”
The Raiders have faced high‑powered offenses during this stretch, with a 38‑33 win over the New York Jets as the lone bright spot. The Jets typically average 18.6 points per game, highlighting the difficulty of the Raiders’ recent defensive matchups.
Offseason moves and draft picks
Las Vegas added edge rusher Kwity Paye and linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker in the offseason. Pro Football Focus rates Paye 103rd out of 109 ends, Dean 16th out of 79 linebackers, and Walker 76th. The team also prioritized the secondary in the draft, selecting Treydan Stukes (second round), Jermod McCoy (fourth round) and Hezekiah Masses (fifth round). Stukes and Masses have each started four games, showing rookie growing pains but also promising moments.
McCoy, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL, is gradually seeing more snaps and beginning to demonstrate why he was once considered a first‑round talent.
Areas needing improvement
Kubiak noted that opponents often start strong, forcing the Raiders to play catch‑up. “We’ve had solid halves, we’ve had more aggressive halves, and we’ve had some really bad first halves,” he said. “So we’ve got to find a way to play a four‑quarter game.”
Offensively, Kubiak would prefer a ground‑based attack, but falling behind early has pushed the Raiders to rely heavily on the passing game. The team has run the ball on less than 40% of plays in five of the past six games, with the only victory (over the Jets) featuring a 55% run rate.
Positive statistical notes
The Raiders rank second in the NFL for pass protection, allowing sacks on just 3.4% of drop‑backs, trailing only the San Francisco 49ers (3.39%). This marks a dramatic improvement from last season, when the Raiders surrendered sacks on 12.43% of pass attempts.
Injuries and key numbers
Right guard Trey Zuhn is currently in concussion protocol. The Raiders have a 5‑0 record against teams with losing records but have yet to beat a team with a winning record this season.
Upcoming matchup
Las Vegas will host defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Kubiak previously served as the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator, adding an extra storyline to the contest.
Adam Butler’s Salute to Service nomination
Defensive tackle Adam Butler was announced as the Raiders’ 2026 Salute to Service Award nominee. The award honors NFL players who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to the military community.
Butler’s connection to the armed forces runs deep; his father served 20 years in the United States Air Force, retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant. Inspired by that legacy, Butler has coached 50 active‑duty service members during USAA’s NFL Combine‑style Boot Camp, visited Creech Air Force Base to meet more than 100 service members, and participated in the Raiders’ Holiday Salute, engaging with 500 military families and children.
Through the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative, Butler partnered with U.S.VETS Las Vegas to design a custom cleat that highlights a veteran’s personal story. The Salute to Service Award, now in its 16th year, features 32 nominees—one from each NFL team. Fans can vote through November 30, with the three finalists announced during NFL Honors in Super Bowl week.
Butler’s nomination underscores the Raiders’ dedication to honoring those who serve the nation, extending the team’s impact beyond the football field.
Original reporting: News 3 KSNV Las Vegas (local) — read the source article.
