Las Vegas Raiders defense is doing something the franchise hasn’t done in years, and it’s changing everything
The Las Vegas Raiders seem to have an elite defense, as they are creating turnovers left and right.
The Las Vegas Raiders are creating turnovers at a rate this franchise hasn’t seen in a long time. Through three weeks of the 2026 NFL season, Las Vegas already has nine takeaways, five forced fumbles, and four interceptions. That number alone is staggering given the recent history.
In 2022, the Raiders had 13 total forced turnovers all season. In 2023, they had 22. In 2024, they were back down to 13. Last year, in 2025, they managed just 16. Now, in 2026, they’re at nine through three games. They’ve already matched their 2025 win total, and they’re one victory away from matching their entire 2024 total of four. Defensive coordinator Rob Leonard has this unit playing at an elite level early on.
A lot of turnover creation involves luck. That’s just the reality of the NFL. Cornerback Hezekiah Masses interception against the New Orleans Saints had some luck to it, but pressure from the defensive line forced quarterback Tyler Shough’s arm to get hit, creating the opportunity. Against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2, one of Masses interceptions came when the receiver bobbled the ball multiple times before it fell into his hands.
But being lucky matters. The NFL season is full of moments where the luckiest team in a given situation comes out ahead. The Raiders have been fortunate so far, but they’ve also put themselves in position to capitalize. The pressure is real. The effort is real. The results are following.
This is something Raiders fans have been waiting years to see. For so long, the conversation around Vegas centered on the defense not creating turnovers, the offense throwing too many interceptions, and the team fumbling the ball too often. That script has flipped through three weeks.
This defense doesn’t have star power, but it doesn’t need it
What makes this even more impressive is the lack of household names on this side of the ball. Maxx Crosby is the only real star, and that’s really it. But the supporting cast around him is significantly better than it has been in recent years. This roster has depth, and it’s playing with fire.
You can see that this team has an actual culture. It’s reminiscent of the Raiders of old, when Vegas competed as a defensive team every single year. Right now, the Raiders defense ranks first in the NFL in takeaways, first in forced fumbles, tied for fourth in sacks, 10th in points allowed, and seventh in passer rating allowed. Given the circumstances and where this franchise has been, can you ask for anything better?
