Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 27, 2026, 4:25 PM ET
Location: Caesars Superdome, Las Vegas, NV
Network: CBS
Las Vegas Raiders
Quarterback
Kirk Cousins: SIT (Low-end QB2)
Kirk Cousins has three touchdown passes in each of his first two games, but also three interceptions to go along with the scores. His first two contests were against the hapless Dolphins and the potentially even more hapless Chargers, so I’m not willing to roll him out there as more than a desperate Superflex option against a Saints team that has been quite competitive through their first two games. Cousins feels like one of the most Disney QBs in the league, so it makes sense that he’s one of their signature rides: he is “It’s a Small World,” but instead of singing the song, all the animatronic figures just shout “YOU LIKE THAT?”
Yeah, that ride scared too many kids, so they closed it.
Running Back
Ashton Jeanty: START, RB1
Mike Washington Jr.: SIT
Ashton Jeanty is a no-brainer, especially against a Saints defense that has allowed the sixth-most points to running backs so far this season. With snap shares at 74% and 81% in Weeks 1 and 2, respectively, Jeanty is hardly leaving the field, and the volume alone is enough to make him elite. For as much hype as Mike Washington Jr. got in preseason, he just isn’t seeing the chances in the regular season in order to live up to it.
Wide Receiver
Tre Tucker: START, WR3
Jalen Nailor: SIT
Jack Bech: SIT
I was impressed enough by Tre Tucker in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers that I’m willing to run him out there as a Week 3 starter against a Saints defense that has been just okay against opposing wide receivers. Tucker was more than just the deep threat that he’s been in the past; he was a chain-mover for the Raiders and someone that Cousins looked to frequently, garnering a team-high seven targets. Even if Bowers returns, I think Tucker could ascend to lead this receiving corps as a respectable WR3 in fantasy.
Tight End
Brock Bowers: START, TE1 (If Active)
Michael Mayer: START, TE1 (If Bowers OUT)
Rinse and repeat on the Raiders’ tight end situation. If Brock Bowers plays, he stays (in your lineup). If Bowers is out, Michael Mayer stays (in your lineup). Alliterative athletes are amazing assets.
Defense/Special Teams
Las Vegas Raiders: SIT
A respectable five sacks and two turnovers (against the Dolphins), but this unit isn’t talented enough to consider for fantasy purposes.
New Orleans Saints
Quarterback
Tyler Shough: START, QB1
One of only three NFL quarterbacks to throw for 600 passing yards over the first two games, Tyler Shough has blazed a path to Fantasy Starter Town. Can you believe Disney turned that down for the name of the newest section of Magic Kingdom? Shough has been somewhat of a game-script merchant, falling behind by multiple scores in both of the games this season, only to put the team on his back and mount tremendous comebacks in both contests. In a game the Saints should win, it will be interesting to see how a positive game script affects the play-calling and usage for Shough and the passing game.
Running Back
Travis Etienne Jr.: START, RB2
Alvin Kamara: SIT
Kendre Miller: SIT
Travis Etienne Jr. is still searching for his first Saints touchdown, just like I’m still searching for all the Easter eggs in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. In two games with New Orleans, Etienne has snap shares of 59% and 54%, so I’m starting to get worried that he isn’t the droids bell cow archetype we were looking for in a backfield with few alternatives. He’s still startable, but he’s been downgraded to a back-end RB2. If he doesn’t start getting a larger share of the running back usage, fantasy managers may start veering toward the path of the Dark Side. Alvin Kamara isn’t vulturing enough touches to consider as a starter, and Kendre Miller was a healthy inactive in Week 2.
Wide Receiver
Chris Olave: START, WR1
Devaughn Vele: START, WR3/FLEX
Chris Olave is The Pirates of the Caribbean ride – really cool when it was first introduced and then was out of commission for a while. Now it’s back and is really cool again. Start Olave, savvy? His target volume has been nearly as large as his guardian cap, so keep rolling him out there and watching him feast on all the gumbo he can handle down in Nawlins.
Did you know that Devaughn Vele ranks 16th in the NFL in targets and 11th in receptions among all pass-catchers? He’s getting enough volume as the WR2 in this Saints offense that he fully deserves a start in three-wide-receiver leagues and has done more than enough to earn flex consideration in shallower leagues.
Tight End
Juwan Johnson: STREAMER
In Week 2, Johnson’s snap share dipped to 54%, but the big fella still managed a TE13 finish with four catches and 66 yards on four targets. Now he faces a tough matchup in a Raiders defense that has rebuilt itself, starting at the linebacker position. He’s done enough over the first two weeks not to be considered a flat-out sit option, but I’m not confident about starting him against this tough defense (yeah, I said it. The Raiders defense is good).
Defense/Special Teams
New Orleans Saints: SIT
This squad has faced two very explosive offenses to begin the season and has looked really good in short stretches, but I just can’t start them confidently yet, even in what appears to be a favorable matchup. I’ll pass.