Raiders defense posts strong early stats with sacks and pressure rate

West Virginia’s defense showed marked improvement against Virginia, holding the Cavaliers scoreless on nine of 11 possessions while forcing six punts and a turnover on downs, though the unit remains focused on correcting late-game lapses before facing Oklahoma State. The Dallas Cowboys also displayed better defensive communication and coverage in their win over Washington, with linebacker Jaishawn Barham standing out while the unit benefited from missed opportunities by opposing quarterbacks. The Las Vegas Raiders’ defense has emerged as one of the NFL’s strongest early in 2026, combining eight sacks and a 54.8% pressure rate with tight secondary coverage that forces quarterbacks to hold the ball; however, the quality of their first two opponents leaves their performance needing further validation. Pittsburgh has similarly received strong defensive play, ranking fourth in defensive ANY/A after two games and limiting New England to 13 points while forcing two turnovers, even as its offense ranks 31st. Across the reports, the common theme is that disciplined coverage, pass-rush production and timely takeaways are driving defensive success, though small samples and upcoming tougher opponents remain important qualifications.