Kirk Cousins passes for 3 TDs and the unbeaten Raiders come back to top the Saints 35-27

In a game that will be remembered for its controversial play, the Las Vegas Raiders pulled off an upset victory over the unbeaten New Orleans Saints, 35-27. The key moment came when Las Vegas defensive end Malcolm Koonce sacked Saints QB Tyler Shough as the latter started his throwing motion, causing the ball to go backward. The officials ruled it a fumble, recovered by the Raiders.

This was in stark contrast to a similar incident in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions, where an apparent strip-sack of Jared Goff was ruled incomplete after the Saints recovered a fumble for a touchdown. The ruling was met with boos from the Superdome crowd.

Kirk Cousins led the Raiders with 248 yards and three touchdowns. He connected with Cody White for a crucial 4-yard touchdown, extending the Raiders' lead to 28-27. Cousins also threw a 4-yard touchdown to Brock Bowers, giving the Raiders an eight-point advantage. The Saints (1-2) had two chances to tie the game, but both drives stalled. One ended on a fourth-down attempt, while the other was hampered by a fumble by Juwan Johnson with just 1:02 remaining on the clock.

Shough was impressive, completing 255 passes for a career-high four touchdowns, two of which went to Johnson. He also had short-range touchdowns to Noah Fant. However, Shough made two turnovers, including a fumble and an interception that led to the Raiders' final scoring drive. Bowers, making his season debut after recovering from a knee injury during training camp, had a standout performance, catching 10 passes for 116 yards and scoring a short touchdown.

Mike Washington was instrumental in the Raiders' comeback, breaking a tackle with a 36-yard touchdown run that trimmed the Saints' lead to 27-22 in the third quarter. Matt Gay provided three field goals for the Raiders, although they failed to convert two crucial 2-point conversions following second-half touchdowns. Meanwhile, New Orleans' Chris Olave caught nine passes for 107 yards, marking his second 100-yard game of the season.

Injuries plagued both teams. For the Raiders, WR Jack Bech left the game with a forearm injury. On the Saints' side, LB Pete Warner left the first half with a neck and shoulder injury (stinger), RB Travis Etienne left with an apparent hamstring pull, and edge rusher Anfernee Jennings left with a knee injury. The next matchups are the Raiders hosting Kansas City next Sunday and the Saints hosting Atlanta on Monday, October 5.