nbcsports
The 2026 NFL season had not seen a kickoff return for a touchdown through the first seven weeks, but that changed in the second quarter of the Week 8 matchup between the Las Vegas Raiders and the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
After the Jets took a 13-7 lead on a touchdown, Raiders running back Dylan Laube caught the ensuing kickoff and sprinted all the way to the end zone. His 95-yard return put the Raiders ahead, though they would later fumble the lead away before recovering in the second half to secure a 38-33 victory.
Laube continued to contribute on special teams, adding 49 yards on two other kickoff returns later in the game. On Wednesday, he was recognized as the AFC special teams player of the week for his performance.
Heading into Week 9, Laube leads the league with an average of 34.1 yards per kickoff return. He will look to maintain that top spot when the Raiders face the San Francisco 49ers this Sunday.
Key Analysis
Laube's explosive return not only ended the league's touchdown drought on kickoffs but also showcased his big-play ability. His league-leading average underscores his consistency and importance to the Raiders' special teams unit. As the season progresses, opposing teams may need to game-plan specifically to contain him.
Originally reported by nbcsports.