HENDERSON, Nev. — Last week, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak issued a sort of challenge to quarterback Kirk Cousins following the team’s season-opening victory over the Dolphins. When asked how to get more going downfield in the passing game, Kubiak quipped “chunk it deep.”
He later clarified that the Dolphins did a good job at limiting explosives, but a vertical stretch was needed to open up his offense.
In Week 2, Cousins delivered.
After going just 1-for-7 with two interceptions on throws of 10-plus air yards in Week 1, Cousins was 8-for-12 for 181 yards, three touchdowns and one interception on those deep attempts in the Week 2 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Kubiak said postgame that Cousins “did a really good job of pushing the ball down the field,” adding that “it’s something you’re trying to do every weekend.”
The Raiders weren’t able to in their first game. So how did they do it in their second?
In some cases, it was creative play-calling. Cousins’ first explosive throw of the day came courtesy an adept route combination drawn up by Kubiak. A corner-stop run by receiver Jalen Nailor to the boundary pulled safety R.J. Mickens down from the Chargers’ two-high shell, leaving open space deep down the field. Kubiak and Cousins were hoping for just that, as Raiders speed threat Tre Tucker ran a post into the void that strong-side safety Genesis Smith had no chance of covering. Cousins hit a wide-open Tucker, in stride, for a 40-yard touchdown and the game’s first score.
On other instances, it was the product of the veteran QB’s toughness in the pocket. With the game tied 7-7 just before half, Cousins found Tucker again for another 40-plus-yard gain, flipping the field to set up a Raiders field goal with eight seconds left in the first half. Another call from Kubiak set up the shot, as a deep dig from Nailor drew the attention of Mickens and pulled him away from Tucker’s corner-post route. Yet the timing of the routes forced Cousins to deliver with Chargers pass-rushers Tuli Tuipulotu and Justin Eboigbe bearing down on him. Cousins hung in the pocket and absorbed the impact of both 260-plus-pound defenders to put the strike on target.
“He’s a competitor, he wants to win. That’s why he’s here,” Kubiak said of Cousins on Monday. “And that throw that he made in two-minute to Tre, that was a big time throw. He’s made a lot of those throughout his career and that really sparked us.”
Cousins delivered through contact on another explosive after the break, connecting with wide receiver Dareke Young on a fourth-down trick play as edge rusher Bud Dupree bowled him over. The pass set up another big one three plays later, a 13-yard touchdown toss to wide receiver Cody White that proved to be the deciding score in the game.
“I could see Reke over the field and knew I had to chuck and duck and that’s what I did,” Cousins said of the trick play. “I was really pleased with that design and having the play ready to go in a big part of the game.”
The Raiders brought Cousins in to operate Kubiak’s offense at a high level before eventually ceding to Fernando Mendoza. The 15-year pro has done that so far, with Kubiak calling his command “phenomenal” after the Chargers win. But having a 38-year-old veteran willing to put his body on the line can provide more than just competency for the scheme — Cousins can see it to much of its potential.
Still, Kubiak would prefer Cousins not to have to, as evidenced by another challenge going into Week 3.
“Our quarterback got hit too many times,” Kubiak said. “He got hit 10 times yesterday, two sacks. So, we have to improve there.”
Cody White a ‘poster child’ for maximizing opportunities
The Raiders were without star tight end Brock Bowers for a second-straight week as he recovers from knee surgery. With Ashton Jeanty and the running game struggling, Cousins and his receivers stepped up, none more than White.
White was elevated from the practice squad for a second straight week after joining Las Vegas on Sept. 1. He made an impact on special teams in his first game, hawking down a big kickoff return and earning a game ball for his efforts. In Los Angeles, his first career multi-touchdown game — coming on just seven offensive snaps — cemented a 2-0 start for his new team.
“All he’s done since he got here is make plays on special teams and on offense with his opportunity,” Kubiak said. “So, that’s what we expect from our 70-man roster. The guys on the P-squad, when you get your opportunity, you make the most of it. He’s a poster child for that right now.”
White was prepared for his moment even if the Chargers were not. Neither was CBS, which flashed a graphic of Corey Rucker — the Raiders rookie receiver who wore White’s No. 82 before being put on Injured Reserve in June — after White’s first touchdown. White embraced his anonymity postgame, tweeting out, “Shoutout Corey Rucker.”
Kubiak said he didn’t see the error, but said White’s reaction tracks with his character.
“I think that tells you all you need to know about Cody,” Kubiak said. “He has fun in his job. He works really hard at it, and people get it wrong sometimes too. We don’t care about the graphics. We just care about producing.”
White’s production through two games has forced the Raiders’ hand. He reverted back to the team’s practice squad on Monday, leaving him susceptible to be signed by other teams. If the Raiders want to continue playing him, they’ll have to sign him to the active roster after his next elevation. Kubiak said after the game that White “obviously makes us have to make decisions.” Such a decision hasn’t been finalized yet, however.
“Still working it through with (general manager John Spytek),” Kubiak said of potentially elevating White permanently. “Cody had a great game.”
Sizing up the secondary
Las Vegas was also without starting cornerback Darien Porter against the Chargers due to a foot injury. That called rookies Hezekiah Masses and Jermod McCoy into action, with both earning their first significant playing time as pros.
Masses shined with a pair of interceptions, the second of which sealed the game. The fifth-rounder had some plays go his way, as a bobbled ball by tight end David Njoku transformed Masses from out-of-position to right where he needed to be for his first career interception. His statline is padded by the interceptions, but he still allowed just two catches for 16 yards on six targets, which didn’t go unnoticed by Kubiak.
“That’s kind of the guy we’ve seen since he came here in April,” Kubiak said. “He’s been confident, he’s been making plays on the ball. He’s been instinctual. And it’s one game; we’ve got to go do it again.”
Masses earned the start, but McCoy also got some time in his place. The fourth-rounder saw his first 16 NFL snaps across drives in the second and fourth quarters. McCoy’s day looked less impressive than his rookie classmate’s, as he gave up catches both times he was targeted (for 34 yards) and struggled to corral Chargers running back Omarion Hampton. But Kubiak said he saw a lot that he liked from McCoy.
“He had very meaningful snaps in the game yesterday,” Kubiak said. “We’re going to keep building him up, keep building his confidence, and he’s given us confidence to play him more.”
Porter’s return is still to be determined, Kubiak announced on Monday. But when he does, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that the rookies push him for snaps. The head coach preaches competition across positions, and with Masses and McCoy showing promise, he’s keen on letting them battle.
“Competition makes the whole organization better,” Kubiak said. “Really, that room has been so competitive the entire offseason. They’ve all made each other better.”
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.