New York Jets vs Las Vegas Raiders: Five Questions with Silver and Black Pride

The New York Jets are set to face the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday at East Rutherford, New Jersey, for the eighth game of their 2026 season. The Raiders have lost four straight games after starting the season 3-0. Silver and Black Pride writer Matt Holder answered five questions about this matchup.

1. The Raiders started the season with three wins, but have since struggled with a four-game losing streak. What was going right early on, and why have they reversed course? The Raiders' schedule early on was favorable, with games against the Dolphins, Chargers, and Saints - teams combined with a 3-16 record. Additionally, the Raiders' defense, led by coordinator Rob Leonard, held opponents to low point totals in the first two games.

However, their defense has struggled, allowing over 35 points per game in October. Their reliance on turnovers has been a concern, as they have only had three in the last four games.

2. The Raiders hope to draft Fernando Mendoza, a quarterback, as a long-term solution. When can we expect Mendoza to start, and should he replace Cousins now? Matt Holder believes Mendoza should be starting as soon as possible, given the struggles of the current roster. He also notes that Klint Kubiak, the head coach, aligns with this viewpoint, as he announced that Cousins will remain the starter for this week.

3. The 2026 Raiders draft class has shown mixed results so far. Safety Treydan Stukes has been a standout rookie, while other picks like Keyron Crawford, Trey Zuhn III, and Jermod McCoy have yet to contribute significantly. Holder expects Stukes to continue as a starter, with Zuhn potentially stepping up at guard, and McCoy to develop with more live reps. The running game and offensive line have been areas of concern, and it's unclear if changes will come before the offseason.