The Las Vegas Raiders shocked everyone by roaring out to a 3-0 start, but that hot streak has officially cooled down, showing some serious cracks in what was an unlikely early season run. After facing some heavy hitters in the conference, Vegas has now dropped their last two games, struggling big time and giving up a lot of points.
Vegas’ Dream Start Hits a Wall: Cracks Are Showing
What a wild ride it’s been for the Raiders. They weren’t expected to be one of the AFC’s best, but man, did they defy expectations out of the gate, jumping out to a perfect 3-0 record. But that momentum slammed into a wall when they ran into some of the conference’s toughest opponents. First, they fell in a hard-fought 30-27 AFC West battle against the Kansas City Chiefs. Then, things got really ugly last week when they struggled big time against the defending AFC Champion New England Patriots, losing 45-17. That game truly showed the “cracks in their unlikely season,” and it’s looking rough.
The numbers aren’t helping either. While their pass game looks decent, ranking seventh in the league in passing yards (1,317) and second in passing touchdowns (12), their run game is flat out struggling. They’ve got the fifth-fewest rushing yards (410) and are near the bottom in rushing touchdowns (2). Maxx Crosby is doing work, tied for third-most quarterback pressures in the NFL with 36, and the Raiders have 10 takeaways, which is tied for most in the league. Their +3 turnover differential is solid, but it’s clearly not enough to overcome the overall struggles they’re facing right now, especially on the ground and against top competition. Their run defense isn’t helping either, ranking fourth-worst in the league in rushing yards allowed (703).
Buffalo’s Own Headaches: Turnovers Are a Problem
The Buffalo Bills were supposed to be one of the best teams in the AFC, and they’ve mostly played like it, but they’ve got their own issues to sort out, especially when it comes to ball security. Their only loss this season came in Week 4 against their AFC East rival, the Patriots, falling 29-26. Last week, they barely squeaked out a win against the Los Angeles Rams in overtime, with a blocked kick literally saving the game. Talk about cutting it close!
Ball security is a massive concern for Buffalo. They’ve racked up nine turnovers in their last three games. Josh Allen is responsible for four of those, and James Cook had a crucial fumble in overtime last week that almost cost them the game. Their turnover differential is sitting at a worrisome -4. However, don’t sleep on their offense in other areas. The Bills are fourth in the NFL in rushing yards (790) and actually lead the entire league in rushing touchdowns with 13! They’re tied for averaging 32.8 points per game, showing they can score when they hold onto the ball. Their pass game is okay, 11th in passing yards (1,249) and middle of the pack in passing TDs (7), but their pass defense is a liability, ranking second-worst in the league in yards allowed (1,479).
What’s Next: Bills and Raiders Face Off in Vegas
This Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 4:25 p.m. ET, the Bills roll into Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The Raiders have had a brutal stretch, facing the Chiefs, Patriots, and now the Bills back-to-back-to-back. Vegas got off to a solid start, but this recent gauntlet might just be too much for them to overcome. Those last two losses will be hard to shake off. Look for the Bills to start sorting out those ball security problems. It’s time for them to start playing like the dominant team everyone expected.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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