Patriots Dominate Raiders in Week 5 as Mendoza Makes Debut
WHO:
raiders.com - Tight End Brock Bowers caught his 15th career touchdown in the first quarter, tying for the third-most receiving touchdowns among tight ends since entering the league in 2024.
raiders.com - Quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 243 passing yards and one touchdown, connecting with Bowers for eight receptions totaling 110 yards and a touchdown.
raiders.com - Rookie Quarterback Fernando Mendoza completed six of eight passes for 48 yards in his NFL debut.
raiders.com - Head Coach Klint Kubiak stated, "Defensively, offensively, special teams, I don't think any of us played well enough to win today."
patriots.com - Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel credited his coaching staff, saying, "All the credit goes to the players: Josh [McDaniels] and Zak [Kuhr] and Jeremy [Springer]; they do a fantastic job."
raiders.com - Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, Head Coach Klint Kubiak, Quarterback Kirk Cousins, Tight End Brock Bowers, Quarterback Drake Maye, Running Back Rhamondre Stevenson, Wide Receiver DeMario Douglas, Defensive Tackle Adam Butler, Wide Receiver Kyle Williams, and Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel.
WHAT:
raiders.com - The Raiders allowed 165 rushing yards to the Patriots, marking the fourth consecutive week allowing over 120 rushing yards.
raiders.com - The Raiders' ground game reached a new low this season, gaining only 38 rushing yards, the least since Week 13 of the previous season.
patriots.com - Drake Maye's +28.7 total EPA was the highest single-game total expected points added of any quarterback this season.
raiders.com - The Raiders allowed 45 points and 536 yards to the Patriots offense, both season highs for New England.
patriots.com - Drake Maye's +28.7 total EPA was the second-highest output of his career.
patriots.com - Maye completed 4-of-6 for 149 passing yards and two touchdowns on throws over 20 air yards.
raiders.com - The Patriots defeated the Raiders 45-17.
raiders.com - The Patriots sacked Kirk Cousins three times.
raiders.com - The Raiders committed eight penalties for 101 yards.
raiders.com - The Patriots offense gained 536 yards, both season highs for New England.
raiders.com - Ashton Jeanty rushed for a season-low 27 yards.
raiders.com - The Raiders allowed 165 rushing yards, with four Patriots recording at least 20 rushing yards.
patriots.com - Drake Maye threw for 374 passing yards and five total touchdowns.
patriots.com - The Patriots scored 45 points, the most they have scored with Maye as their starter.
patriots.com - Kyle Williams recorded a career-high 91 receiving yards and a touchdown.
raiders.com - Brock Bowers caught eight passes for 110 yards and a touchdown.
raiders.com - Fernando Mendoza, the 2026 No. 1 overall pick, went 6-of-8 for 48 yards in his NFL debut.
WHERE:
raiders.com - The game took place at Gillette Stadium.
WHEN:
raiders.com - The Raiders will face the Bills in Week 6.
patriots.com - The Patriots will face the Jets at Gillette Stadium in Week 6.
WHY:
raiders.com - Head Coach Klint Kubiak stated, "We have to get back to that," referring to the need for the Raiders to recapture their early-season identity after two consecutive losses.
raiders.com - The Raiders struggled due to a lack of execution on defense, offense, and special teams.
patriots.com - The Patriots overcame injuries to key players, showcasing their depth and coaching preparedness.
HOW:
patriots.com - The Patriots pressured Raiders QB Kirk Cousins on 48.4% of his drop-backs, leading to three sacks.
patriots.com - The Patriots pressured Raiders QB Kirk Cousins on 48.4% of his drop-backs.
patriots.com - The Patriots offensive line allowed Maye to face pressure on only 39.5% of his drop-backs despite losing starting LT Will Campbell early in the game.
patriots.com - The Patriots pressured Kirk Cousins on 48.4% of his drop-backs.
patriots.com - The Patriots utilized backups effectively in the absence of multiple starters.
In a challenging game for the Raiders, Tight End Brock Bowers caught his 15th career touchdown, tying for the third-most receiving touchdowns among tight ends since entering the league in 2024, while Quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 243 yards and one touchdown. The Raiders struggled on the ground, gaining only 38 rushing yards, the least since Week 13 of last season, and allowed 165 rushing yards to the Patriots, marking their fourth consecutive week of allowing over 120 rushing yards. Looking ahead, the Raiders will face the Bills in Week 6, as Head Coach Klint Kubiak emphasized the need to recapture their early-season identity after two straight losses.