QB · LV
general
Raiders Weekly: Week 0
Kirk Cousins is named the Las Vegas Raiders starting quarterback for the 2026 season opener
Kirk Cousins
QB · LV · 38 yrs · exp 14 · Michigan State
Status
- Game status
- Active
Keep Trade Cut (SF TEP)
From latest snapshot · trend vs ~7d prior when data allows.
Value
2,072
Rank
#247
Pos rank
#40
7d trend
—
Value history (90d)
One snapshot point per calendar day (shown in your timezone).
Latest: Sep 7, 2026 · 2,072
News
Stories linked to this player — newest first.
general
All 2026 quarterback competitions went to the older players
Training camp opened with four, and potentially five, NFL quarterback competitions. In the end, all five jobs went to the older of the two primary contenders. The first decision came in Minnesota, where Kyler Murray prevailed over 2024 top-10 selection J.J. McCarthy in the first competition to be resolved, before the first preseason game. The backup job there also has apparently gone to the older player, with Carson Wentz seemingly leapfrogging McCarthy. (The Vikings have yet to release their Week 1 depth chart.) Minnesota will enter the season with three former high first-round picks in their quarterback room. Murray was No. 1 overall in 2019, and Wentz was the second overall pick in 2016. The next decision was made by the Browns, where Deshaun Watson was made the starter (at least for Week 1 and likely Week 2) two weeks ago today, over 2025 fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders. Watson was the 12th overall pick in 2017. Last week, the Raiders finally declared that Kirk Cousins, who entered the league as a fourth-round pick in 2012, would start Week 1 over Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in 2026. And now the Falcons have gone with Tua Tagovailoa, pick No. 5 in 2020, over Michael Penix Jr., the eighth overall selection in 2024. That one feels even more tenuous than Watson in Cleveland; the Falcons were hoping Penix would be ready to go. Ultimately, they decided he wasn’t — and Tua got the nod over Cooper Rush (who’s technically older than Tua). The fifth competition never became one, because Jacoby Brissett got a new deal done before a hold in gave Gardner Minshew or Carson Beck a chance to learn the new offense and potentially supplant Brissett. In many situations, winning the starting job to start the season means securing the privilege of eventually being benched. That’s a very real possibility for Watson, Cousins, and Tagovailoa. The safest of them all is Murray, who was likely signed to be the starter — and who is playing for a team that wants to have the same quarterback in place for all 17 regular-season games
general
Week 1 NFL odds, lines, best bets, predictions: Computer model backs Eagles and Jaguars
The NFL never shies away from loading up the opening week with must-see matchups, and the Week 1 NFL schedule, which begins in just four days, is no different. From divisional battles like the primetime matchups of Chiefs vs. Broncos (+2.5) and Cowboys vs. Giants (+3) to Aaron Rodgers' last ride in Steelers vs. Falcons (+3.5), you have a bevy of intriguing options to place Week 1 NFL bets on. Meanwhile, Dolphins vs. Raiders is a matchup that may not garner as much interest as the aforementioned, but it still carries intrigue for Week 1 NFL picks as the only opening game guaranteed to have two new starters under center. Bet NFL games at DraftKings. Claim their new user offer here : Miami's Malik Willis will duel with Kirk Cousins, as the veteran gets the starting nod over Fernando Mendoza. Vegas, who went 7-10 ATS last year, is a 3.5-point favorite per the latest Week 1 NFL odds. All of the updated Week 1 NFL lines are listed below, and SportsLine's advanced computer model has all the NFL betting advice and NFL predictions you need to make the best Week 1 NFL picks now . The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up well over $7,000 for $100 players on betting sites on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters the 2026 NFL season on a 53-37 run on top-rated picks dating back to 2024. Anybody following its picks at NFL betting sites could have seen strong returns. Now, it has turned its attention to the latest Week 1 NFL odds and NFL betting lines and locked in betting picks for every NFL matchup. Head here to see every pick . We can tell you one of the model's strongest Week 1 NFL picks for the best betting apps is that the Jaguars (-7.5, 40.5) cover at home versus Cleveland in a Sunday 1 p.m. ET kickoff. The model has the Jags prevailing versus the spread nearly 60% of the time, continuing the success they had last year with a league-best 12-5 ATS mark in the regular season. Jacksonville was even more proficient versus the line at home, covering in 78% of games, also the best record in the NFL, while Cleveland was 2-6 ATS on the road, which was the second-worst mark in the NFL. SportsLine's model also has the Over hitting in 64% of simulations. See which other teams to pick here . New to sports trading? Visit our Kalshi promo code review to see their latest offers and get started. Claim the Kalshi signup offer here now : Another one of its Week 1 NFL predictions: the Eagles (-5.5, 44.5) cover versus the Commanders on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET. Philadelphia has won eight of its last nine versus Washington in games that Jalen Hurts has started and finished. He should have continued production versus Washington's defense which ranked dead last in yards allowed last year and is in transition, with up to eight new starters and moving from a 4-3 base to a 3-4. Add in that Jayden Daniels may use his legs less to avoid the injuries he suffered in 2025, and the fact that Commanders left tackle Laremy Tunsil (triceps) is out, and Philly is forecasted to cover the spread in nearly 60% of simulations in an A-rated pick. See which other teams to pick here . The model has also made the call on who wins and covers in every other game on the Week 1 NFL schedule and just revealed multiple underdogs that outright win, potentially giving you a huge payday. You can only get every pick for every game at SportsLine . So what Week 1 NFL picks can you make with confidence, and which underdogs should you lock in now? Check out the latest NFL odds below, then visit SportsLine to see which teams win and cover the spread, all from a proven computer model that has returned well over $7,000 , and find out. Get Week 1 NFL picks at SportsLine
general
Week 1 NFL odds, lines, best bets, predictions: Computer model backs Eagles and Jaguars
Computer model predicts Week 1 outcomes, highlighting key player matchups such as Malik Willis vs. Kirk Cousins and the rookie Fernando Mendoza’s debut
QB · LV
QB · LV
general
Week 1 NFL odds, lines, best bets, predictions: Computer model backs Eagles and Jaguars
The NFL never shies away from loading up the opening week with must-see matchups, and the Week 1 NFL schedule, which begins in just four days, is no different. From divisional battles like Chiefs vs. Broncos (+2.5) and Cowboys vs. Giants (+2.5) to Aaron Rodgers' last ride in Steelers vs. Falcons (+3.5), you have a bevy of intriguing options to place Week 1 NFL bets on. Meanwhile, Dolphins vs. Raiders is a matchup that may not garner as much interest as the aforementioned, but it still carries intrigue for Week 1 NFL picks as the only opening game guaranteed to have two new starters under center. Bet NFL games at DraftKings. Claim their new user offer here : Miami's Malik Willis will duel with Kirk Cousins, as the veteran gets the starting nod, while No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza will begin the 2026 NFL season as the backup. Vegas, who went 7-10 ATS last year, is a 3.5-point favorite per the latest Week 1 NFL odds, as it's one of a dozen games with an NFL spread under 4 points. All of the updated Week 1 NFL lines are listed below, and SportsLine's advanced computer model has all the NFL betting advice and NFL predictions you need to make the best Week 1 NFL picks now . The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up well over $7,000 for $100 players on betting sites on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters the 2026 NFL season on a 53-37 run on top-rated picks dating back to 2024. Anybody following its picks at NFL betting sites could have seen strong returns. Now, it has turned its attention to the latest Week 1 NFL odds and NFL betting lines and locked in betting picks for every NFL matchup. Head here to see every pick . We can tell you one of the model's strongest Week 1 NFL picks for the best betting apps is that the Jaguars (-7.5, 40.5) cover at home versus Cleveland in a Sunday 1 p.m. ET kickoff. The model has the Jags prevailing versus the spread nearly 60% of the time, continuing the success they had last year with a league-best 12-5 ATS mark in the regular season. Jacksonville was even more proficient versus the line at home, covering in 78% of games, also the best record in the NFL, while Cleveland was 2-6 ATS on the road, which was the second-worst mark in the NFL. SportsLine's model also has the Over hitting in 64% of simulations. See which other teams to pick here . New to sports trading? Visit our Kalshi promo code review to see their latest offers and get started. Claim the Kalshi signup offer here now : Another one of its Week 1 NFL predictions: the Eagles (-5.5, 44.5) cover versus the Commanders on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET. Philadelphia has won eight of its last nine versus Washington in games that Jalen Hurts has started and finished. He should have continued production versus Washington's defense which ranked dead last in yards allowed last year and is in transition, with up to eight new starters and moving from a 4-3 base to a 3-4. Add in that Jayden Daniels may use his legs less to avoid the injuries he suffered in 2025, and the fact that Commanders LT Laremy Tunsil (triceps) is out, and Philly is forecasted to cover the spread in nearly 60% of simulations in an A-rated pick. See which other teams to pick here . The model has also made the call on who wins and covers in every other game on the Week 1 NFL schedule and just revealed multiple underdogs that outright win, potentially giving you a huge payday. You can only get every pick for every game at SportsLine . So what Week 1 NFL picks can you make with confidence, and which underdogs should you lock in now? Check out the latest NFL odds below, then visit SportsLine to see which teams win and cover the spread, all from a proven computer model that has returned well over $7,000 , and find out. Get Week 1 NFL picks at SportsLine
general
Week 1 NFL odds, lines, best bets, predictions: Computer model backs Eagles and Jaguars
The Week 1 NFL schedule is loaded with must-see matchups, and the computer model has locked in betting picks for every NFL matchup
QB · LV
general
When should the Raiders start Fernando Mendoza? The too-early, too-late and just-right options
Kirk Cousins will start Week 1. Mendoza must wait for his shot, but how patient will Klint Kubiak be?
general
Week 1 NFL odds, lines, best bets, predictions: Computer model backs Eagles and Jaguars
The NFL never shies away from loading up the opening week with must-see matchups, and the Week 1 NFL schedule, which begins in two weeks, is no different. From divisional battles like Chiefs vs. Broncos (+2.5) and Cowboys vs. Giants (+2.5) to Aaron Rodgers' last ride in Steelers vs. Falcons (+3), you have a bevy of intriguing options to place Week 1 NFL bets on. Meanwhile, Dolphins vs. Raiders is a matchup that may not garner as much interest as the aforementioned, but it still carries intrigue for Week 1 NFL picks as the only opening game guaranteed to have two new starters under center. Bet NFL games at DraftKings. Claim their new user offer here : Miami's Malik Willis will duel with Kirk Cousins, as the veteran gets the starting nod, while No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza will begin the 2026 NFL season as the backup. Vegas, who went 7-10 ATS last year, is a 3.5-point favorite per the latest Week 1 NFL odds, as it's one of a dozen games with an NFL spread under 4 points. All of the updated Week 1 NFL lines are listed below, and SportsLine's advanced computer model has all the NFL betting advice and NFL predictions you need to make the best Week 1 NFL picks now . The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up well over $7,000 for $100 players on betting sites on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters the 2026 NFL season on a 53-37 run on top-rated picks dating back to 2024. Anybody following its picks at NFL betting sites could have seen strong returns. Now, it has turned its attention to the latest Week 1 NFL odds and NFL betting lines and locked in betting picks for every NFL matchup. Head here to see every pick . We can tell you one of the model's strongest Week 1 NFL picks for the best betting apps is that the Jaguars (-7.5, 40.5) cover at home versus Cleveland in a Sunday 1 p.m. ET kickoff. The model has the Jags prevailing versus the spread nearly 60% of the time, continuing the success they had last year with a league-best 12-5 ATS mark in the regular season. Jacksonville was even more proficient versus the line at home, covering in 78% of games, also the best record in the NFL, while Cleveland was 2-6 ATS on the road, which was the second-worst mark in the NFL. SportsLine's model also has the Over hitting in 64% of simulations. See which other teams to pick here . New to sports trading? Visit our Kalshi promo code review to see their latest offers and get started. Claim the Kalshi signup offer here now : Another one of its Week 1 NFL predictions: the Eagles (-5.5, 45.5) cover versus the Commanders on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET. Philadelphia has won eight of its last nine versus Washington in games that Jalen Hurts has started and finished. He should have continued production versus Washington's defense which ranked dead last in yards allowed last year and is in transition, with up to eight new starters and moving from a 4-3 base to a 3-4. Add in that Jayden Daniels may use his legs less to avoid the injuries he suffered in 2025, and the fact that Commanders LT Laremy Tunsil (triceps) is out, and Philly is forecasted to cover the spread in nearly 60% of simulations in an A-rated pick. See which other teams to pick here . The model has also made the call on who wins and covers in every other game on the Week 1 NFL schedule and just revealed multiple underdogs that outright win, potentially giving you a huge payday. You can only get every pick for every game at SportsLine . So what Week 1 NFL picks can you make with confidence, and which underdogs should you lock in now? Check out the latest NFL odds below, then visit SportsLine to see which teams win and cover the spread, all from a proven computer model that has returned well over $7,000 , and find out. Get Week 1 NFL picks at SportsLine
general
Falcons GM Ian Cunningham: We haven't made QB decision for Week 1 yet
The Raiders named Kirk Cousins their Week 1 starting quarterback on Wednesday, but his former team has not made the same call. Falcons General Manager Ian Cunningham said “not yet” when asked at a press conference if the team has made a choice between Michael Penix and Tua Tagovailoa for their game against the Steelers. “Ultimately, when the coaches are ready , when the players are ready, we will make that decision,” Cunningham said. Penix was cleared for football activities after recovering from a torn ACL over a week ago, but did not play in the team’s final preseason game. That lack of work was mitigated by Tagovailoa’s ups and downs while in game action last month. Tagovailoa also dealt with a back injury early in camp and the extended looks that Jack Strand and Cooper Rush received over the summer resulted in them making the cut to the 53-man roster as well. Cunningham said that having Strand and Rush provides “a little bit of an insurance policy” and that seems wise given the injury histories of the other two quarterbacks. That only leaves the decision of who they’ll be insuring on September 13
QB · LV
QB · LV
general
Thoughts on Kirk Cousins being Raiders Week 1 starting quarterback
When will Fernando Mendoza take over?
QB · LV
general
He's earned it': Why Raiders named Kirk Cousins starting QB
Las Vegas Raiders name Kirk Cousins starting quarterback for Week 1
general
Fernando Mendoza is first No. 1 QB since Baker Mayfield who won't start Week 1
Fernando Mendoza is the first No. 1 quarterback since Baker Mayfield who won't start Week 1
general
Fernando Mendoza is first No. 1 QB since Baker Mayfield who won't start Week 1
The Raiders naming Kirk Cousins their starting quarterback to open the 2026 season was hardly a surprise. While Las Vegas had been projected to draft Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall for months, the team’s brass had said publicly that its preference was for a rookie quarterback to sit and learn behind a veteran. But now that it’s official, Mendoza has become a member of a rare group of quarterbacks from recent years. Mendoza is the first quarterback since Baker Mayfield in 2018 not to start Week 1 after being selected at No. 1 overall. Mayfield’s situation was not particularly unusual at the time, as Jared Goff had been through the same thing in 2016. But since then, Kyler Murray (2019), Joe Burrow (2020), Trevor Lawrence (2021), Bryce Young (2023), Caleb Williams (2024), and Cam Ward (2025) have all been their respective club’s Week 1 starter after being selected at No. 1 overall. Since Matthew Stafford was selected at No. 1 overall in 2009, only Goff, Mayfield, and Mendoza have started the season as QB2. Sam Bradford (2010), Cam Newton (2011), Andrew Luck (2012), and Jameis Winston (2015) all started the season opener. Mayfield made it into a game by Week 3, taking over for an injured Tyrod Taylor to lead the Browns to their first victory since 2016 with a 21-17 victory over the Jets. He took over as Cleveland’s starter the following week. It took longer for Goff to ascend to QB1 for the Rams in 2016, as he began his tenure as Los Angeles’ starter in Week 11 with a 14-10 loss to Miami. Mendoza’s development will remain a priority for the Raiders, even as he won’t receive starters’ reps in the regular season. “ Early work, late work. More meetings ,” Kubiak said on Wednesday. “Plenty of time on the field between drills with [QBs] coach [Mike] Sullivan and [offensive coordinator] coach [Andrew] Janocko. Every player that is not starting the first game, that is helping us on the look team, we’re just trying to find every edge we can find to continue to get him better and his teammates better.” Aside from those selected at No. 1 overall, there are plenty of QBs who haven’t started early and ended up being successful. “I think there are so many examples both ways,” Kubiak said. “I think the most important thing with the quarterback room or any other position is to build competition within the room. That makes players so much better faster than coaching, when they have a guy in front of them that they can look up to and see how something’s done — that’s going to accelerate their growth.” We’ll see when Mendoza becomes Las Vegas’ starter. If Cousins plays well and the Raiders are winning, that might not be until 2027. But history suggests Mendoza will be on the field sooner or later as a rookie
QB · MIA
QB · LV
general
Week 1 NFL odds, lines, best bets, predictions: Computer model backs Eagles and Jaguars
The NFL never shies away from loading up the opening week with must-see matchups, and the Week 1 NFL schedule, which begins in two weeks, is no different. From divisional battles like Chiefs vs. Broncos (+2.5) and Cowboys vs. Giants (+2.5) to Aaron Rodgers' last ride in Steelers vs. Falcons (+3), you have a bevy of intriguing options to place Week 1 NFL bets on. Meanwhile, Dolphins vs. Raiders is a matchup that may not garner as much interest as the aforementioned, but it still carries intrigue for Week 1 NFL picks as the only opening game guaranteed to have two new starters under center. Bet NFL games at DraftKings. Claim their new user offer here : Miami's Malik Willis is expected to duel with Kirk Cousins, while No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza is expected to begin the 2026 NFL season as the backup. Vegas is a 3.5-point favorite, per the latest Week 1 NFL odds, as it's one of a dozen games with an NFL spread under 4 points. All of the updated Week 1 NFL lines are listed below, and SportsLine's advanced computer model has all the NFL betting advice and NFL predictions you need to make the best Week 1 NFL picks now . The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up well over $7,000 for $100 players on betting sites on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters the 2026 NFL season on a 53-37 run on top-rated picks dating back to 2024. Anybody following its picks at NFL betting sites could have seen strong returns. Now, it has turned its attention to the latest Week 1 NFL odds and NFL betting lines and locked in betting picks for every NFL matchup. Head here to see every pick . We can tell you one of the model's strongest Week 1 NFL picks for the best betting apps is that the Jaguars (-7.5, 40.5) cover at home versus Cleveland in a Sunday 1 p.m. ET kickoff. The model has the Jags prevailing versus the spread nearly 60% of the time, continuing the success they had last year with a league-best 12-5 ATS mark in the regular season. Jacksonville was even more proficient versus the line at home, covering in 78% of games, also the best record in the NFL, while Cleveland was 2-6 ATS on the road, which was the second-worst mark in the NFL. SportsLine's model also has the Over hitting in 63% of simulations. See which other teams to pick here . New to sports trading? Visit our Kalshi promo code review to see their latest offers and get started. Claim the Kalshi signup offer here now : Another one of its Week 1 NFL predictions: the Eagles (-4.5, 45.5) cover versus the Commanders on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET. Philadelphia has won eight of its last nine versus Washington in games that Jalen Hurts has started and finished. He should have continued production versus Washington's defense which ranked dead last in yards allowed last year and is in transition, with up to eight new starters and moving from a 4-3 base to a 3-4. Add in that Jayden Daniels may use his legs less to avoid the injuries he suffered in 2025, and the fact that Commanders LT Laremy Tunsil (triceps) is out, and Philly is forecasted to cover the spread in nearly 60% of simulations in an A-rated pick. See which other teams to pick here . The model has also made the call on who wins and covers in every other game on the Week 1 NFL schedule and just revealed multiple underdogs that outright win, potentially giving you a huge payday. You can only get every pick for every game at SportsLine . So what Week 1 NFL picks can you make with confidence, and which underdogs should you lock in now? Check out the latest NFL odds below, then visit SportsLine to see which teams win and cover the spread, all from a proven computer model that has returned well over $7,000 , and find out. Get Week 1 NFL picks at SportsLine
general
Klint Kubiak names Kirk Cousins starter over No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza
Klint Kubiak names Kirk Cousins starter over No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza
QB · LV
QB · LV
general
Dolphins vs. Raiders: Kirk Cousins named starter for Las Vegas in Week 1
The Dolphins will face veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins in Week 1. First overall pick Fernando Mendoza will be on the bench
QB · LV
general
Las Vegas Raiders QB Kirk Cousins named the starter
Las Vegas Raiders QB Kirk Cousins was named the starting quarterback Wednesday
QB · LV
QB · LV
general
Raiders officially name Kirk Cousins their starting quarterback
Kirk Cousins named starting QB, rookie Fernando Mendoza to back up
QB · LV
QB · LV
general
Raiders officially name Kirk Cousins their starting quarterback
Kirk Cousins is named the starting quarterback for the Raiders, with head coach Klint Kubiak praising his performance in the offseason
QB · LV
QB · LV
general
Breaking news: Kirk Cousins is Week 1 starter
Rookie Fernando Mendoza will start season on bench
Data comes from cached Sleeper and KTC snapshots. Values update when the sync jobs run.