Kirk Cousins makes Raiders history not seen in 50 years vs Chargers

· California Post

The Las Vegas Raiders could not have hoped for a better start to Kirk Cousins’ tenure in the silver and black.

Cousins completed 19 of 29 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns in the Raiders’ 26-14 win against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

Kirk Cousins (8) of the Las Vegas Raiders gives a thumbs up to the crowd while jogging off the field after his team’s 27-13 win against the Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 13, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images

This marks the second straight game that the 38-year-old has thrown three touchdowns, as Cousins also had three touchdown passes in Las Vegas’ Week 1 win against the Miami Dolphins.

As a result, Cousins became the first Raiders’ quarterback to tally three or more touchdown passes in Week 1 and Week 2 of a regular season since the legendary Ken Stabler did so in 1976, per the CBS Sports’ broadcast.

Raiders fans have got to be feeling great about where their team stands right now. Cousins’ success to this point also makes one wonder whether Fernando Mendoza will get an opportunity this season.

Since the Raiders weren’t expected to contend for a playoff spot this season, the sentiment was that Cousins would hand his starting job over to their No. 1 overall pick at some point in the year.

But with Las Vegas going 2-0 and Cousins turning back the clock through two weeks, Mendoza taking Cousins’ starting quarterback job looks a lot less assured than it did before the regular season began.

Las Vegas will look to keep the good times rolling against the New Orleans Saints next Sunday.

Look for the Raiders to be favored in that one, putting a stunning 3-0 start in actual focus.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) celebrates with wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) after a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of a game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, Sept. 20, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Las Vegas Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza #15 and Kirk Cousins #8 warm up prior to a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, Sept. 20, 2026. Getty Images