These Matchups Also Matter For Raiders Against Seattle

The Las Vegas Raiders have a big game coming up on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, and most of the buzz has been about the first NFL start of rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza. But there are other important matchups in this game, and Levi Edwards of Raiders.com did a good job of breaking down two of the biggest ones. 

Klint Kubiak vs. Mike MacDonald

These two coaches know each other well, as MacDonald hired Klint Kubiak to be his offensive coordinator in 2025. With Kubiak calling plays and designing schemes Seattle's offense, the Seahawks improved from 14th in total yardage to eighth and from 18th in points scored to third, per Edwards. Oh, and the Seahawks averaged 33.6 points a game throughout the playoffs. 

Kubiak also helped unlock the potential of All-Pro receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year and set a franchise single-season record with 1,793 receiving yards.

The Raiders coach lauded the Seahawks as being an “all-football building," and he described everyone from GM John Schneider and MacDonald as “extremely intelligent people” who treat others the right way. 

Kubiak as mirrored his accomplishments in Seattle with what he’s done with the Raiders so far. The offense that finished last in points scored and total yardage in 2025 now ranks in the top 10 in those categories, according to Edwards. 

The Raiders secondary vs. Jaxon Smith-Njigba

The Seahawks receiver is targeted by every team he faces, but it doesn’t seem to matter. He currently leads the NFL in receiving yards (1,036), receiving yards per game (115.1) and receiving touchdowns (nine).

The Raiders have an extremely young secondary, so this one could get ugly. Veteran Eric Stokes will have have his fair share of reps against JSN, although that’s not exactly comforting given the way Stokes has played in the last two games. 

The rest will be rotated between second-year player Darien Porter and rookies Hezekiah Masses and Jermod McCoy as the opposite cornerback.

This is where the stats turn against the Raiders big-time. The Raiders defense has allowed the most passing yards and passing touchdowns to opposing offenses this season, but they’ll be facing Drew Lock instead of Sam Darnold at quarterback. That offers some hope, but  Lock has completed 71.1 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and no interceptions this season, according to Edwards. 

On top of that, JSN caught 16 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns, so the Raiders will need to pressure Lock early and try to keep from falling behind to have a chance to win.