Natalie: You wanted to know if Kirk Cousins is done? Well, the coach just said he’s not. But are you ready for what comes next?
Scott: It’s a pivotal week in Las Vegas. Three wins, four losses, and a team staring down a must-win against New York.
Scott: We’ve got three big segments today. First, we’re answering your burning questions about Kirk Cousins’ future and that disastrous two-point conversion attempt against the Rams. Then, we’ll dive deep into the running back depth chart with Ashton Jeanty. And finally, a quick lightning round on who needs to step up for the Jets game. Let’s get into it.
Natalie: Alright, let’s start with the elephant in the room. Marcus in Oakland asks: 'After failing two straight two-point conversions against the Rams, is there any real doubt left that Kirk should be benched? Did Coach Kubiak lie when he said Cousins starts vs. the Jets?' This is the big one, Scott. You predicted two touchdowns and zero picks last week. It didn’t happen. What do you see now?
Scott: First, Marcus, I respect the frustration. But looking at the tape, Cousins actually threw for 295 yards and two touchdowns against a tough Rams defense. The issue wasn’t his accuracy on the deep ball; it was situational football in the red zone. He tried to force throws into tight windows instead of taking the points off the board with a field goal or a simple run. That’s a coaching and execution problem, not necessarily a QB replacement problem yet.
Natalie: But Scott, the momentum is gone. The team looks defeated. When you fail two consecutive two-point tries, the entire energy shifts. Does that psychological weight outweigh the stats?
Scott: It absolutely affects morale. But look at the alternative. Fernando Mendoza is on the bench. If you pull Cousins now, you’re telling this locker room that one bad week erases a career. Coach Klint Kubiak made his call: Cousins stays. My read? They need consistency. Cousins knows the system. Mendoza doesn’t. Against the Jets, you want a guy who can make pre-snap adjustments, even if those adjustments failed last Sunday.
Natalie: Sarah from Henderson chimes in: 'Why did they keep trying the pass? Matt Gay nailed two field goals in that game. Was the play-calling just broken?' She’s pointing out that the offense seemed directionless after the first miss.
Scott: Exactly. Sarah, that’s the tactical failure. After missing the first two-point conversion, going for it again shows a lack of discipline. You’re playing for a tie when you should be protecting a lead or staying within striking distance. It’s risky, yes, but it’s also unnecessary risk. The Rams capitalized on that with Kyren Williams running wild for 99 yards. If you don’t put points on the board efficiently, you give the other team life.
Natalie: So, Scott, final verdict on Cousins? He keeps the job, but the margin for error is zero. If they lose to the Jets, does he go?
Scott: If they lose to the Jets, the pressure mounts massively. But I don’t think we see a change until we see if Mendoza can actually execute in live action. For now, it’s Cousins. He’s the veteran presence, however flawed his decision-making was last week.
Natalie: Fair enough. Let’s pivot to the offense’s identity. @RaidersFan88 tweets: 'Ashton Jeanty caught 15-yard passes but only had 6 carries for 27 yards. Is he being wasted as a receiver? Why isn’t he getting more touches in the open field?'
Scott: Great question. Scott Washington Jr. struggled with only 27 yards on six carries. The plan was clearly to use Jeanty as a mismatch weapon. He’s faster than linebackers. But the Raiders didn’t establish the run enough to set it up. You can’t exploit a speed mismatch if the defense knows you’re one-dimensional.
Natalie: Right. And Tre Tucker had a huge game with 103 receiving yards. Does that take away from Jeanty’s role?
Scott: No, it complements it. Tucker stretches the field vertically. Jeanty works the middle. The issue is the offensive line wasn’t holding up well enough to create time for those routes to develop consistently. Tonka Hemingway had a sack, and while Maxx Crosby is always a threat, the interior pressure was inconsistent.
Natalie: Okay, so Cousins stays, but the supporting cast needs to be sharper. Let’s move to Segment 2. We’re talking roster battles. Emily from Las Vegas asks: 'With Jack Bech on IR and Carter Runyon also out, who is actually playing WR behind Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer? Is Jalen Nailor the guy?'
Scott: Emily, this is a critical injury report issue. With Bech and Runyon sidelined, the depth chart is thin. Jalen Nailor has been active, but Deven Thompkins and Cody White are also on the roster. Against the Rams, Tre Tucker emerged as the primary target outside. I’d expect Nailor to see more snaps in slot roles to keep defenses honest, especially if they need to protect Cousins’ blind side with quick releases.
Natalie: And what about the tight end spot? Davis Allen was targeted heavily by Stafford, but he’s not on the Raiders. Who steps up if Mayer gets double-teamed?
Scott: Chris Myarick and Ian Thomas are the backups. They’re more blocker-heavy. If Mayer is doubled, Cousins will have to rely on short throws to the backs—Jeanty, Roman Hemby, or Dylan Laube. It’s about spacing. If the TEs can’t get open because they’re busy blocking, the middle of the field clogs up.
Natalie: Let’s talk defense. Marcus in Oakland follows up: 'Quay Walker had 12 tackles against the Rams. Is he carrying the defense? And where is the pass rush coming from if Myles Garrett is out?'
Scott: Walker is having a solid season. Twelve tackles is a good indicator he’s reading the keys correctly. But the pass rush is the concern. Maxx Crosby is there, obviously, but Patrick Johnson was questionable. Without a consistent edge presence, quarterbacks like Matthew Stafford can sit in the pocket and wait. Braden Fiske got one sack for LA, which shows the vulnerability.
Natalie: So, Scott, if the pass rush doesn’t generate pressure against the Jets, how do we stop Aaron Rodgers or whoever starts for them?
Scott: You have to blitz. You can’t rely solely on Crosby. You need Nakobe Dean and Tommy Eichenberg to fill gaps, but primarily, you need defensive linemen like Adam Butler and Thomas Booker IV to win one-on-one matchups. If they don’t, Cousins is going to get sacked, or worse, forced into mistakes.
Natalie: Heavy lifting for the defense. Before we head to our final segment, I want to take a quick pause. We’re here every day bringing you these deep dives, the mailbag answers, and the tactical breakdowns you’re asking for. But keeping this show free and daily takes resources. If you’ve found value in our analysis of the Raiders’ struggles and strengths, please consider supporting us. Just click the link in the episode description. Your contribution helps us keep the mic open and the facts straight. Thank you for listening.
Natalie: Welcome back. It’s time for our Lightning Round and a fun hypothetical. @SilverAndBlack4Life asks: 'Who is the most underrated player on this roster right now?'
Scott: I’ll go with Tyler Linderbaum at center. He’s anchoring the line. When the run game stalls, it often starts with the interior. He’s making the calls, identifying coverages, and ensuring Cousins has clean pockets. He doesn’t get the headlines, but he’s essential.
Natalie: I disagree slightly. I think it’s Dalton Johnson at safety. He’s been reliable in coverage. When the secondary gets exposed, he’s the last line of defense. But okay, Linderbaum is a strong contender.
Scott: Both valid. Now, the hypothetical: If the Raiders lose to the Jets, who is the first player traded before the deadline?
Natalie: Oh, that’s dark. But realistic. I’d say a veteran receiver. Maybe Jalen Nailor or even Tre Tucker if they want to clear cap space and rebuild.
Scott: Unlikely. They need the talent. I’d bet on a linebacker. Tommy Eichenberg might be expendable if they bring in younger legs. Or maybe a tackle. Kolton Miller is good, but if the protection doesn’t improve, they might shop him. No, I’m sticking with the O-line. If Cousins fails again, the line takes heat.
Natalie: Final quick takes. One word each. Cousins: Benched? No. Jeanty: Start? Yes. Defense: Improving? Slowly.
Scott: Cousins: Proven. Jeanty: Undervalued. Defense: Needs Pressure.
Natalie: There you have it. The Raiders stand at 3-4, third in the AFC West, and they have one chance to turn it all around against the Jets this Sunday. Kirk Cousins starts, Ashton Jeanty needs to break out, and the defense must generate pressure. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the Beatline Podcast Network wherever you listen. Help us keep covering the teams that matter to you. Go Raids!
Scott: See you next time.