Sep 20, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Hezekiah Masses (35) and Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) react after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Raiders Rookie Hezekiah Masses Wants Justin Herbert to Know He Picked the Wrong DB to Challenge 1
What do you know, the Las Vegas Raiders are undefeated through two weeks of football in the 2026 NFL regular season.
Las Vegas’ defense has been a major reason behind the success the team is having early in the campaign. After holding the Miami Dolphins to only 13 points in Week 1, the Raiders slowed down the Justin Herbert-led attack of the Los Angeles Chargers in a 26-14 win at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday.
Herbert threw for only 192 passing yards and a touchdown against two interceptions, while getting sacked three times for a loss of nine yards.
Las Vegas rookie cornerback Hezekiah Masses picked off both interceptions Herbert threw.
Raiders Rookie Makes a Huge Statement Against Herbert, Chargers in Week 2 Win
Sep 20, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Hezekiah Masses (35) and Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (5) react after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesSep 20, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Hezekiah Masses (35) and Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (5) react after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Sep 20, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas cornerback Masses (35) and cornerback Eric Stokes (5) react after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The former California Golden Bears defensive back made his first career NFL interception in the opening period and got the better of Herbert again in the fourth quarter.
“Herbert tried me twice and I was trying to make a play on the ball. It’s mine, it ain’t no 50-50 ball. I’m comfortable out there,” Masses said after the game (h/t Vegas Sports Today).
Masses, who was selected by the Raiders in the fifth round (175th overall) in the 2026 NFL Draft, also became just the first rookie in franchise history since Henry Williams in 1979 to have a multi-interception game.
Masses and the Raiders sent a loud message across the league about the team’s defense, and they will look to sustain that form when they try to win their third straight game to start the season in Week 3 versus the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
Justin herbertJustin herbert
Jan 11, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; Los Angeles quarterback Herbert (10) looks to pass during the third quarter against the New England Patriots in an AFC Wild Card Round game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images