Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) runs the ball during the second half of a NFL football game against New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023.
Published Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 | 2 a.m.
Updated Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 | 4:13 p.m.
They may have taken a rocky path to get there, but the Raiders are back at .500 on the season after holding off New England, 21-19, at Allegiant Stadium.
The win improves Las Vegas to 3-3 with a road date at Chicago set for next week.
The defense came through in the end. Protecting a 19-17 lead, the Raiders were unable to run out the clock on their final offensive possession, punting back to New England with two minutes on the clock. A pair of penalties backed up the Patriots, and on 3rd-and-long Maxx Crosby and Bilal Nichols breached the line and dropped Mac Jones for a sack in the end zone with 1:52 remaining.
With New England out of timeouts, the safety essentially ended the game. It also put the Raiders over 20 points for the first time this season.
After winning at Denver in Week 1, the Raiders dropped three straight. But consecutive home wins over Green Bay and New England have them at 3-3 and back in the mix.
Credit Brian Hoyer for doing a credible job under center in the second half. Forced into action when Jimmy Garoppolo left with a back injury, the veteran played mistake-free football and led a pair of field-goal drives that ended up being the difference in the final score.
Hoyer finished 6-of-10 passing for 102 yards. He didn't throw a touchdown, but he also didn't get intercepted or take a sack.
Rookie tight end Michael Mayer enjoyed a breakout performance, catching five passes for 75 yards (both career highs).
The next order of business for the Raiders will be Garoppolo's status. He was injured late in the first half, though he completed his final drive. Josh McDaniels is set to meet with the media momentarily.
Raiders clinging to 19-17 lead late
New England just scored its second touchdown of the game — also its second touchdown of the month — to trim the Raiders' lead to 19-17 with 3:33 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The good news for the Raiders is that it was a lengthy march, covering 75 yards in 17 plays and taking a robust 9:30 off the clock. That makes Brian Hoyer's job easier, as he and the Las Vegas offense may only need to pick up a couple first downs in order to ice this game.
If the Raiders can't run out the clock and New England gets another possession, things could get interesting.
Raiders extend lead over New England to 19-10
After two drives at the helm, Brian Hoyer is getting the job done.
The veteran backup just led another scoring drive, taking the Raiders inside the 10 before settling for a short field goal to extend their lead to 19-10 over New England.
With just 13:03 remaining in the fourth quarter, it's difficult to imagine the Patriots scoring twice, which is why that drive was so crucial for Las Vegas. Hoyer started it off by hitting Davante Adams for 21 yards on the first play, and later he found Austin Hooper for nine yards on a 3rd-and-5.
Hoyer is now 6-of-9 for 102 yards passing, and he has taken Las Vegas to field goals on each of his two possessions.
If the defense can just make a play or two, the 2-3 Raiders can finish this one off and get to .500 on the season.
Hoyer leads Raiders to field goal, ups lead to 16-10
Brian Hoyer came ready to play today.
The Raiders backup quarterback got right into the swing of things after replacing injured Jimmy Garoppolo, as he hit Tre Tucker deep down the middle for a 48-yard gain on his first snap under canter. It was the longest pass play of the season for Las Vegas and set up an eventual 30-yard field goal for Daniel Carlson.
The Raiders now lead New England, 16-10, with 3:55 left in the third quarter.
Hoyer also completed a key pass to Michael Mayer on third down. It has been a breakout game for the rookie tight end, as Mayer now has five catches for 75 yards.
During the drive, the Raiders announced Garoppolo is officially out, so this is Hoyer's game to win or lose.
Garoppolo exits with back injury, Raiders lead 13-10
New England just scored to trim the Raiders' lead to 13-10, but the more concerning development for Las Vegas is that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has exited the game with a back injury.
Garoppolo appeared to be uncomfortable on the final drive of the first half as led the offense to a late field goal, and he did not rejoin the team on the field after halftime. He is officially doubtful to return to the game.
Because rookie Aidan O'Connell is inactive, the Raiders will turn to veteran Brian Hoyer at quarterback, possibly for the rest of the game.
Meanwhile, the Las Vegas defense just allowed the Patriots to score their first touchdown in more than 12 quarters of play. Ezekiel Elliott served as the workhorse on the drive, carrying six times for 28 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown run that came on a direct snap.
If Garoppolo is gone for the day, this could be anyone's game.
Late field goal extends Raiders lead to 13-3 at half
The Raiders were able to tack on another field goal at the end of the half, and they head into the locker room with a 13-3 lead over New England.
The drive began after Tre'Von Moehrig picked off an errant pass by Patriots quarterback Mac Jones at the Las Vegas 34-yard line. From there, Jimmy Garoppolo led a clunky, albeit effective drive to get the Raiders into scoring range. On 3rd-and-20, Garoppolo found Jakobi Meyers over the middle for 19 yards to set up a 37-yard attempt for Daniel Carlson.
It may not be the most exciting pro football game ever contested, but the Raiders have done what they have to do through 30 minutes. The defense is pressuring New England quarterback Mac Jones consistently — Maxx Crosby applied pressure and chased him out of the pocket on the interception — and given how bad the Patriots are on offense, that 10-point lead looks just about insurmountable.
Garoppolo is 14-of-22 for 162 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. Meyers and tight end Michael Mayer have combined for nine catches and 128 yards.
New England will receive the kick to start the second half.
Garoppolo to Meyers TD gives Raiders 10-0 lead
Jimmy Garoppolo found Jakobi Meyers in the back of the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown, and the Raiders now have a 10-0 lead over New England with 12:22 left in the second quarter.
Garoppolo had a good pocket on 2nd-and-9, and he waited for Meyers to work his way open in the middle of the field. The touchdown capped an 8-play, 59-yard drive.
The Raiders are in good position now, considering New England has trouble getting back to the line of scrimmage on offense.
Garoppolo has hit on 10-of-15 passes for 120 yards.
Raiders lead New England in second quarter
It's a low-scoring affair here at Allegiant Stadium so far, as the Raiders hold a 3-0 lead over New England at the end of the first quarter.
Las Vegas is driving and could add some more points to their side of the scoreboard soon, however. Michael Mayer just pulled down a 32-yard reception on third down to move the ball into Patriots territory, so the Raiders will be in prime scoring position when the game resumes. Mayer has had an excellent day, as he's already got four catches for a career-high 67 yards.
One important situation to monitor is the status of Davante Adams. The star receiver was drilled while running a pattern over the middle, as Patriots safety Jabril Peppers dislodged the ball with a bone-rattling hit at the point of the catch. Adams went down, the ball popped into the air and was intercepted by New England.
The Raiders defense forced a 3-and-out to get the ball back, but Adams stayed down for a moment and then went into the medical tent on the sideline. He returned for the Raiders next drive, but considering how banged up he has been this season, it's something to keep an eye on.
Oh, and New England has -2 net yards after one quarter of play. If the Raiders can manage to score a couple touchdowns today, that should be plenty.
Raiders take early lead over New England
The Raiders are on the board first, as they took the opening kickoff and nearly drove the length of the field before settling for a Daniel Carlson 25-yard field goal and a 3-0 lead over New England.
Rookie tight end Michael Mayer was key on the drive, pulling in three passes for 35 yards, including two chain-movers on third down.
Carlson actually kicked a 40-yard field goal, but the Patriots were called for a personal foul on the play. Las Vegas accepted the penalty and got a new set of downs, but were unable to cross the goal line. Jimmy Garoppolo was under intense pressure on third down and had no choice but to lob a pass out of the back of the end zone, preserving Carlson's second kick.
Now let's see what the Raiders defense can do against this bottom-ranked New England offense.
Raiders down one starter today against Patriots
Raiders cornerback Amik Robertson should have ample opportunity to make another game-changing play like he did to clinch last week’s game against the Packers.
Starting slot cornerback Nate Hobbs, arguably the Raiders’ surest cover player, is out for a third straight game today against the Patriots at Allegiant Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m.
Hobbs was the first player to celebrate with Robertson after his game-clinching interception last week and will again be in street clothes on the sidelines.
He led the list of just-released inactives along with quarterback Aidan O’Connell, safety Chris Smith, linebacker Amari Burney, tackle Justin Herron, wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson and defensive tackle Nesta Jade Silvera.
Hobbs is the only Raiders’ starter out of the game, while the Patriots will be without a pair — wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and guard Cole Strange.
Las Vegas is a 3-point favorite to win its third straight game, while the Patriots are looking to break a two-game losing streak where they’ve been outscored 72-3.
WEEK 6
• Who: Patriots (1-4) at Raiders (2-3)
• When: 1:05 p.m.
• Where: Allegiant Stadium
• TV: CBS KLAS Channel 8
• Radio: Raider Nation Radio 920 AM, KOMP 92.3 FM
• Betting line: Raiders -3, over/under 41.5
PREGAME
The Las Vegas Raiders and New England Patriots clash in Las Vegas for the second time in 10 months, and they’ll be hard-pressed to make the sequel as memorable as the original.
Las Vegas won last December after time had time expired via the “Lateral Damage” play, when then-Patriots receiver Jakobi Meyers threw an ill-advised backwards heave that then-Raiders edge rusher Chandler Jones intercepted and returned 48 yards for a touchdown. The bizarre victory kept the Raiders’ playoff hopes alive while damaging the Patriots’ chances.
Much has changed since then. Meyers is now on the Raiders, and coming off a game in which he led the team with 75 receiving yards and a touchdown in a 17-13 win over the Green Bay Packers. Jones has been released after a domestic violence arrest followed a series of unhinged social media posts. And unlike last year, neither team is looking playoff worthy. The Raiders are technically only one game out of a postseason spot, but have struggled offensively. The Patriots have been outscored 72-3 in losses to the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints the past two weeks.
Favorable matchup: Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby vs. Patriots’ offensive line
The Patriots’ offensive incompetence extends to every position, but much of it is starting up front with an inability to either create holes for running back Rhamondre Stevenson, a product of Centennial High, or protect quarterback Mac Jones. The task isn’t going to get any easier this week going up against the reigning AFC Defensive Player of the Week in Crosby. The fifth-year player and heartbeat of the Raiders’ defense had seven pressures, four tackles for loss and a sack in the victory over the Packers. Las Vegas has moved Crosby around the line more frequently this season, meaning that on certain snaps, it likely will scheme a way for him to rush from the interior, where New England has been worst of all. He should be able to overwhelm everyone on the Patriots’ offensive line with the one possible exception of former teammate Trent Brown, the left tackle who’s the lone New England blocker to grade out highly so far this season. Brown became the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league upon signing with the Raiders in 2019, ahead of Crosby’s rookie season, but missed extended time and underperformed in silver and black before being traded to the Patriots.
THEY SAID IT
“The horse is dead. We beat it enough. It is what it is. Every week, you’ve got somebody that used to play there or know somebody on staff or whatever.” -Raiders coach Josh McDaniels on matching up against his former team, with whom he won six Super Bowl rings as offensive coordinator and assistant
•••
“I haven’t really ever had a game against the Patriots yet where I had the game that I was hoping to have. They obviously understand who’s hoping to do what and who’s who in the zoo, as we say around here.” -Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams on Patriots coach Bill Belichick’s reputation for taking away opponents’ top offensive threats
•••
“We just want to get more shots on goal — continuously go after the ball, hunt the ball. That’s what it’s all about.” -Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, nodding to the start of hockey season when describing how the defense can build on posting a season-high three takeaways against the Packers
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“My first women’s basketball I saw (current Aces player) Candace Parker, Tennessee vs. Notre Dame. So, I started following women’s basketball back then and I really enjoy it. I wish them the best of luck.” -Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham detailing his fandom of the Las Vegas Aces, who will be looking to clinch the WNBA championship in New York while the Raiders take on the Patriots
Problematic matchup: Patriots’ linebackers vs. Raiders’ offensive line
The Patriots are such a mess at the moment that it’s hard to label any area as a strength, but Raiders coach Josh McDaniels has spoken highly of his longtime former team’s linebackers. It makes sense as, even after giving up 97 scrimmage yards to the Saints’ Alvin Kamara last week, New England sits eighth in the NFL in allowing 3.6 yards per rush attempt. Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai are accomplished in both stuffing the run and making the most of blitzes. New England blitzes on 45.3% of snaps, the second-highest rate in the NFL, and Las Vegas’ offensive line hasn’t done well with extra rushers all season. The Packers preyed on the weakness a week ago and sacked Jimmy Garoppolo three times, all on third-down plays. The Raiders also haven’t been able to get running back Josh Jacobs going, as he’s currently only averaging 2.9 yards per carry. Las Vegas catches a break with New England’s best defensive player, edge rusher Matthew Judon, out with an elbow injury but the visitors still have could give the home team fits.
Gamebreaker: Tight end Michael Mayer
The rookie second-round pick out of Notre Dame gives the Raiders an element of playmaking ability and physicality over the middle of the field that they’ve been sorely lacking for most of the season. Mayer has gotten off to a slow start in his NFL career because his blocking is a work in progress and the Raiders therefore feel safer in that department with veteran teammate Austin Hooper. But Mayer’s snap count has increased in every game since Week 2, even surpassing Hooper’s number of plays against the Packers, and should keep moving in the upward direction going forward. McDaniels dialed up plays for Mayer twice in the first quarter against the Packers, and both went for first downs. The Patriots are among the worst teams in the NFL at defending tight ends, making it a real possibility that Week 6 could serve as Mayer’s full breakout game.
Big Number(s): 31st and 6th
Thirty-first, or second-to-last in the league, is where the Raiders’ offense ranks through five weeks by Aaron Schatz’s DVOA metric, a catch-all statistical measure of efficiency. Sixth is where the Raiders rank in terms of offensive payroll this season — $101.36 million according to contract database spotrac.com. The Raiders must get more of out of their offense going forward. It’s just difficult to see where they’re going to make a leap because they’ve struggled in every facet. Jacobs is one of only six running backs in the NFL with at least 30 attempts on the year sitting below three yards per carry. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo leads the NFL with seven interceptions despite missing a game while in the concussion protocol. All the progress the offensive line made last year hasn’t seemed to carry over to this season. Put all the problems together, and Las Vegas is the only team in the league that hasn’t scored 20 points in a single game.
Best Bet (4-1): Michael Mayer over 12.5 receiving yards
This number may seem low at first glance, but the first time Mayer went over it — or got anywhere close — was last week’s game when he had two catches for 39 yards. His expanded role against the Packers, however, felt more like an indicator of how the Raiders will employ him going forward than a one-off blip. Las Vegas could use a player like Mayer to diversify its stagnant offense, and McDaniels must know it. Mayer might be particularly useful in the red zone, where Las Vegas has only scored touchdowns on a mediocre 50% of trips this year. He therefore might be worth a bet at a high price in the anytime touchdown market, but for now, let’s go with the more attainable option and expect him to make an impact for the second straight week.
