Raiders' Klint Kubiak Off to Historic 2-0 Start
The Las Vegas Raiders are 2-0 for the first time since 2021, and first-year head coach Klint Kubiak has already etched his name alongside some of the most revered figures in franchise history. With a 26-14 upset win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2, Kubiak became just the fourth non-interim head coach in Raiders history to win his first two games with the team, joining Al Davis (1963), John Madden (1969), and Bill Callahan (2002). A fifth name, Mike White (1995), is sometimes included depending on how interim tenures are counted, but the exclusive company remains clear: Kubiak has accomplished something no Raiders coach has done in over two decades.
The Raiders opened the season with a 27-13 win over the Miami Dolphins before taking down the Chargers as underdogs. The offense has shown rhythm and purpose under Kubiak's direction, while the defense has been opportunistic. Quarterback Kirk Cousins, acquired in the offseason, has provided steady veteran leadership, and the running game with Ashton Jeanty has been effective. The team now sits at 2-0 heading into a Week 3 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, where a win would push them to 3-0 for the first time since 2002—the year they reached the Super Bowl under Callahan.
A Fast Start That Echoes Franchise Legends
Kubiak's 2-0 start is notable not just for its rarity but for the company it keeps. Al Davis, who would later become the team's iconic owner, went 10-4 in his first season as head coach in 1963 and was named AFL Coach of the Year. John Madden, a Hall of Famer, went 12-1-1 in 1969 and led the Raiders to the AFL championship game. Bill Callahan inherited a talented roster in 2002 and guided the Raiders to Super Bowl XXXVII. While it's far too early to compare Kubiak to those legends, the parallel is striking: each of those coaches took over a team with question marks and immediately instilled a winning culture.
What makes Kubiak's start even more impressive is the context. The Raiders have cycled through head coaches at a dizzying pace in recent years, with five different coaches (including interims) since 2020. The franchise has not won a playoff game since 2002 and has made only two postseason appearances since. Kubiak, a first-time head coach at 39, has brought a sense of stability and identity that has been missing. His offensive background—he was the offensive coordinator for the Saints in 2024 and the Seahawks in 2025—has translated into a creative, balanced attack that has kept defenses off balance.
What's Behind the 2-0 Start
Kubiak's offensive scheme has been a key factor. Through two weeks, the Raiders rank second in the NFL in usage of 12 personnel (two tight ends) at 37.8% of snaps, trailing only the Seahawks. That's even more remarkable considering star tight end Brock Bowers has yet to play this season after undergoing a meniscus operation in early September. Bowers is expected to return against the Saints, giving Kubiak even more firepower. The duo of Bowers and Michael Mayer, along with third-string tight end Ian Thomas, could give the Raiders one of the league's deepest tight end rooms.
The running game, led by rookie Ashton Jeanty, has also been a bright spot. Jeanty's ability to break tackles and his vision have drawn praise from opposing coaches. Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley called Jeanty "very tough to tackle" with "really good vision." Meanwhile, Cousins has been efficient, dissecting defenses and providing the offense with confidence. Saints head coach Kellen Moore said of Cousins: "He's still playing at a really high level... He's clicking and he's seen it all."
Defensively, the Raiders have been solid, if not spectacular. They held the Dolphins to 13 points and the Chargers to 14. The unit has benefited from the addition of linebacker Nakobe Dean, whose intelligence and physicality have been lauded by opponents. Saints head coach Kellen Moore praised the Raiders' overall play style: "I have a ton of respect for the way these guys are playing, the way they're preparing this football team. To me, these guys are doing it the right way. Their play style, their relentlessness, I love the way these guys are playing."
The Stakes: A Chance at 3-0 and Early Season Statement
On Sunday, the Raiders will face the Saints in New Orleans, a place Kubiak knows well from his time as offensive coordinator in 2024. The Saints are 1-1 after upsetting the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2 and nearly beating the Detroit Lions in Week 1. They are favored by 3 points at home, but the Raiders have already proven they can win as underdogs.
A win would not only give the Raiders a 3-0 start but would also mark another significant milestone. Not since 2002 have the Raiders opened a season with three straight wins. That team, coached by Bill Callahan, went on to win the AFC championship. While no one is predicting a Super Bowl run just yet, the early success has energized a fan base that has endured two decades of mostly losing football.
The game also carries personal significance for Kubiak. He was the Saints' offensive coordinator in 2024, helping the team to a 2-0 start before injuries derailed their season. He parlayed that stint into a coordinator job with the Seahawks, where he helped Seattle win the Super Bowl last season. Now, he returns to New Orleans with a chance to show what he's built in Las Vegas. Saints coach Kellen Moore, who replaced Kubiak in New Orleans, has praised the Raiders' preparation and style, setting up an intriguing chess match between two young offensive minds.
Broader Implications: A New Era in Las Vegas?
The Raiders' fast start under Kubiak has broader implications for a franchise that has long been searching for stability. Since Jon Gruden's second tenure ended in 2021, the Raiders have had four head coaches: Rich Bisaccia (interim), Josh McDaniels, Antonio Pierce, and now Kubiak. None lasted more than two seasons. The organization has cycled through quarterbacks and coordinators, often with little to show for it. Kubiak represents a fresh approach—a young, offensive-minded coach from a winning pedigree (his father, Gary Kubiak, won a Super Bowl as a head coach).
If Kubiak can sustain this success, he could finally be the coach who turns the Raiders into consistent contenders. The AFC West remains daunting with the Chiefs, Chargers, and Broncos, but the Raiders have already beaten the Chargers and look competitive. A 3-0 start would put them in early playoff conversation and buy Kubiak time to build his program.
Beyond the win-loss record, Kubiak has begun to establish a culture. Players have bought in, and the team is playing with a discipline and purpose that has been absent. As one source noted, "Kubiak has this team playing right. And he has established a culture. There hasn't been that in who knows how long." That culture will be tested as the schedule toughens, but for now, the Raiders and their new head coach are the talk of the NFL.
What's Next for Kubiak and the Raiders
The immediate focus is on the Saints, but the long-term outlook is equally intriguing. The Raiders have a young core in Jeanty and Bowers, a veteran quarterback in Cousins, and a coach who has already shown he can scheme creatively. The offensive line, a question mark entering the season, has held up well. The defense, while not elite, has been opportunistic.
If the Raiders can get to 3-0, they will head into a challenging stretch that includes games against the Chiefs and Broncos. But for a franchise that has known little but disappointment, the early returns are cause for cautious optimism. Kubiak's name now sits alongside Davis, Madden, and Callahan—legends and champions. It's a small sample size, but it's a start. And for a team that has been searching for a fresh start, that might be enough.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on whether Kubiak can sustain this momentum. The NFL is a week-to-week league, and a loss to the Saints would temper enthusiasm. But the foundation has been laid. The Raiders are 2-0, and for the first time in years, there's genuine hope in Las Vegas.
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