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Raiders Today

4 Raiders Players To Watch vs. Buffalo Bills

Four Las Vegas players have a chance to either rebound or earn more opportunities this weekend against the Buffalo Bills.
Sep 20, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA;  Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak (middle) is seen against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at SoFi Stadium.  Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Sep 20, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak (middle) is seen against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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Week 6 has arrived for the Las Vegas Raiders as they look to return to winning ways. A two-game losing skid has left the team on their heels, facing humbling experiences in every direction. They hope their fortunes can turn around when they host the league's best quarterback, Josh Allen, and the Buffalo Bills.

The Bills are an AFC favorite, and despite losing to their AFC East rival, the New England Patriots, Las Vegas and head coach Klint Kubiak are looking to pull off an upset. After Kubiak's week of accountability, a couple of players will likely receive much-needed opportunities. Others have a chance to rebound, and I'm watching four Raiders players on Sunday.

Stukes Raiders
Oct 4, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders safety Treydan Stukes (31) tackles Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (2) during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Thornton was injured on the play. Mandatory Credit: David Brytus-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Treydan Stukes, Safety

Stukes had a rough game against the Patriots. Frankly, it hasn't been fun for the former second-round pick over the past two weeks. Against Allen and the Bills' offense, Stukes has a chance to rebound in a big way.

Stukes Raiders
Sep 13, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders safety Treydan Stukes (31) celebrates an interception in the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Brytus-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

There's a lot to like about Stukes, whether it is his range and ball skills as a single-high defender or the closing speed and physicality that make him an effective run-support defender. However, there is a football IQ and connectivity component that has been lacking for the last couple of weeks. If Stukes is to rebound, he'll need to be on the same page on the back end with his fellow defensive backs.

Michael Mayer, Tight End

Mayer Raider s
Oct 4, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) runs onto the field during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Brytus-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Kubiak discussed earlier this week that one of the players he wanted to give more opportunities to against New England was Mayer, who caught only one pass for two yards on his lone target. Mayer was used heavily in pass protection against the Patriots' blitzes. This week, the fourth-year player could re-emerge as a key piece of the passing game against a Bills pass defense ranked in the bottom 10 of the NFL.

Kolton Miller, Left Tackle

Miller Raiders
Sep 28, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders offensive tackle Kolton Miller (74) drinks water from the sidelines during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

It has been an incredibly rough season for Las Vegas' franchise left tackle, who has allowed 17 pressures, including 12 in the last two games combined, according to Pro Football Focus. One thing I've noticed him struggling against is speed-to-power, and against the Bills' standout edge rusher Greg Rousseau, he will deal with the same approach. I'm looking to see if Miller can anchor better and reset his base when beginning to lose traction, rebounding in the process.

Mike Washington Jr., Running Back

Washington Jr.
Oct 4, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. (4) runs with the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Brytus-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

With Ashton Jeanty nursing an injury, the Raiders want to get rookie Mike Washington more involved in the run game, especially where he is most effective with gap-blocking concepts. He received one carry for five yards last week, and Kubiak has said he needs to do better at giving his talented young tailback chances to carry the rock. Look for Washington to see more touches in the run game on Sunday.

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Jared Feinberg
JARED FEINBERG

Jared Feinberg, a native of western North Carolina, has written about NFL football for nearly a decade. He has contributed to several national outlets and is now part of our On SI team as an NFL team reporter. Jared graduated from UNC Asheville with a bachelor's degree in mass communications and later pursued his master's degree at UNC Charlotte. You can follow Jared Feinberg on Twitter at @JRodNFLDraft