October 5, 2026 - 4:13 pm

Klint Kubiak’s Las Vegas Raiders begin every week the exact same way, by meeting Monday and “telling each other the truth and just seeing what we can do to be a better team moving forward.”

Said the first-year coach Monday afternoon, a day removed from his first loss: “I just think that’s the easiest way. Here’s the tape. Here’s what we got right. Here’s what we got wrong. Here’s where we’re not correct as coaches. Here’s where we didn’t make the play as a player. And if we can just put it in front of those guys and everyone sees it, and as a team we can learn from it and get better, then we’re going the right direction.”

The Raiders are tasked with getting back on track after their 30-27 loss Sunday afternoon to the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium that cost them their unbeaten record this season. Their Week 5 matchup sends them Northeast to face the defending AFC champion New England Patriots.

Added Kubiak: “Every game you learn more about your team, you learn more about yourself as a coach, and you have to go make the corrections, get better.”

Here are other takeaways from Kubiak’s news conference:

Taking the blame: Kubiak bore the blame for the impotent rushing attack against the Chiefs, against whom the Raiders averaged 2.8 yards per carry to worsen their league-worst mark of 3.1 yards. He said the Raiders have “solid backs” along with “a solid offensive line” and said he needs to do a better job of scheming effective rushing offense.

“I put it on myself. I got to do a lot better job of putting us in better position,” he added. “And myself and the coaching staff, there’s plenty of things we can do better for our players.”

Like what?

“Scheme them up better.”

Hobbled at receiver: The Raiders lost wide receiver Jalen Nailor to a concussion in the first half Sunday, thinning their depth on the perimeter. Jach Bech is on injured reserve alongside Dont’e Thornton Jr., who’s eligible to return this week though Kubiak didn’t confirm he will.

Perhaps down Nailor along with Bech ahead of the matchup with New England, the Raiders are rostering four healthy wideouts: Tre Tucker, Cody White, Malik Benson and Dareke Young. Kubiak didn’t rule out the possibility of signing a wide receiver, noting “all things are being considered.”

Kirk Cousins in command: Cousins is tied for the NFL lead in touchdown passes (with San Francisco 49ers passer Brock Purdy) with 11 after throwing two — to tight ends Ian Thomas and Brock Bowers — against Kansas City. With the ground game stifled for the third straight week, Cousins was tasked with 52 throws for a season-high 365 yards.

He navigated a muddy pocket, threw on the run and played with poise — enduring 10 more hits, though he wasn’t sacked.

“I thought he played excellent,” Kubiak said. “Gave us a chance to win the game.”

Jackson Powers-Johnson expected to return: The starting right guard Weeks 1, 2 and 3, Powers-Johnson is expected to return to practice this week, Kubiak said, after sitting out Sunday with a groin injury. Powers-Johnson sustained the soreness a week ago Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, missing the final five plays of that matchup.

He didn’t practice at all last week and ceded his position to Caleb Rogers.

Contact Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on X.