When we talk about the Las Vegas Raiders' struggles last season, the spotlight naturally falls on the offense. And rightfully so—it was tough to watch at times. But the defense wasn't exactly a fortress either.

That said, it wasn't all doom and gloom on that side of the ball. Under former defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, the Raiders showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in their ability to get off the field quickly. If you blinked, you might have missed it, but early in games especially, Las Vegas had a knack for ending drives before they even started.

How good were they? According to NFL Researcher on X, the Raiders ranked third in the entire league last season in forcing three-and-outs, with a rate of 25.8 percent. That means more than a quarter of opposing drives ended after just three plays. For context, only the Texans (29.4%) and Broncos (27.1%) were better. The Rams, Browns, and a host of playoff contenders trailed behind.

Here's a quick look at the top and bottom of that list:

Best 3-and-out force rates (2025):
1. Texans – 29.4%
2. Broncos – 27.1%
3. Raiders – 25.8%
4. Rams – 24.9%
5. Browns – 24.7%

Worst:
28. Giants – 15.0%
29. Colts – 14.8%
30. Saints – 14.4%
31. Cardinals – 13.9%
32. Ravens – 13.3%

That's a solid foundation to build on. Now, with Rob Leonard taking over as defensive coordinator—after serving as the team's defensive line coach—the challenge is clear: keep that trend alive in 2026. If the Raiders can maintain that quick-stop ability while shoring up other areas, this defense could quietly become a strength.

And for a team looking to turn the corner, that kind of consistency on defense is exactly what the doctor ordered.