The New England Patriots are above .500 for the first time this season, moving to 3-2 on the year thanks to a 45-17 win over the Raiders. With the loss, Las Vegas drops to 3-2, losing its second-straight game after beginning the year 3-0.
Drake Maye carried the momentum from a standout performance last week against Buffalo and looked much closer to the MVP runner-up we saw last year in this Week 5 matchup. In all, the Patriots quarterback completed 26-of-34 for 374 yards and four passing touchdowns. Maye also rushed for 25 yards and another touchdown. That offense came out of the gate firing, scoring touchdowns on its first two possessions to jump out to a 14-7 first-quarter lead.
Maye's rekindled ability to hit the deep ball was apparent on the opening touchdown drive, connecting with DeMario Douglas for a 35-yard score, the first of two on the day for the wideout. After the Raiders matched that initial touchdown, New England orchestrated an 84-yard drive that culminated in a 5-yard touchdown by Rhamondre Stevenson. From there, the Patriots never looked back, outscoring the Raiders 24-10 over the course of the second half.
The key swings in this matchup happened in the closing minutes of the first half and then right at the start of the third quarter. Just before the two-minute warning leading up to halftime, Raiders placekicker Matt Gay missed a 49-yard field goal, which would've cut the Patriots' lead to four. Instead, New England regained possession, and it took just five plays before Maye connected with Hunter Henry for an 11-yard touchdown to make it a 21-7 lead.
It was another quick scoring possession for New England coming out of the break, needing just four plays to find the end zone again, with Kyle Williams reeling in a 34-yard touchdown. So, in the blink of an eye, the Patriots posted 14 points, ballooned the game to a 28-7 lead, and it was off to the races from there.
Cousins finished his day completing 19-of-28 for 243 yards and a touchdown before giving way to Fernando Mendoza with just over six minutes to play in the fourth quarter. In his first taste of NFL action, the No. 1 overall pick completed 6-of-8 for 48 yards passing, while adding three yards on the ground.
From here, the Patriots will stick around Gillette Stadium and await a Week 6 matchup against the New York Jets. As for the Raiders, they'll head back to Las Vegas to gear up for a contest against the Buffalo Bills.
It was the second straight game in which Drake Maye has looked more like his 2025 self, who was the runner-up for NFL MVP. His four passing touchdowns were the second-most in a game in his career (threw five TDs at the Jets in Week 17 last season). This was also the first time in Maye's career that he had back-to-back games with at least three touchdown passes.
What was notable about this performance was that his deep-ball accuracy had seemingly returned. Maye had 14 completions go for 10-plus yards and five completions that went for over 20 yards, which are both season highs. While this highlight didn't result in a touchdown, maybe the best example of Maye feeling the deep ball again was when he layered a third-quarter deep ball perfectly in stride to rookie tight end Eli Raridon for a 31-yard gain.
Overall, he was simply more efficient. Maye's completion percentage (76.5%) was the highest in a game this season, his off-target rate (2.9%) was the lowest, and he did not turn the ball over once.
It was a forgetable day for the Raiders' offense as they continued to struggle on the ground, totaling 38 rushing yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. However, if you're looking for a lone bright spot, you can look to Brock Bowers. The Raiders tight end was the only one who could truly move the football with some regularity, catching eight of his 10 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown.
Bowers effectively accounted for a third of Las Vegas' total yards from scrimmage (306) on Sunday.
That said, it wasn't perfect for the Raiders tight end either. As the game continued to get out of hand, the Raiders were attempting to cut into New England's 35-10 lead in the late stages of the third quarter. They kept the offense on the field on fourth-and-3; Kirk Cousins converted with a short pass to Bowers, but he fumbled while trying to run downfield.
While the game was likely already out of reach, it did take a scoring opportunity away.
With just over six minutes left in regulation, the Raiders sent Kirk Cousins to the bench and trotted out Fernando Mendoza for his first taste of NFL action. The No. 1 overall pick completed 6-of-8 for 48 yards and rushed once for three yards to close out the game. Mendoza was sharp, but he also wasn't facing a tough defense in New England, which was playing soft coverage and simply not trying to get beaten deep. Still, it was an important in-game experience that Mendoza gained in Week 5.
The win did come at a cost for the Patriots. Already coming into this matchup without starting corners Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis, New England saw a couple of other key starters go down. Specifically, left tackle Will Campbell went down with a knee injury, and running back TreVeyon Henderson suffered an ankle injury. After each was initially listed as questionable to return, they were eventually downgraded to out.
Henderson was tackled on the sideline on a first-and-10 rush in the early stages of the second quarter. He needed help to the locker room. If Henderson misses times, Rhamondre Stevenson would become the bell-cow back, with Corey Kiner also factoring into the touches.
Meanwhile, Campbell saw his knee get bent awkwardly in the second quarter on a rush by Stevenson. First-round rookie Caleb Lomu relieved Campbell at left tackle and would likely assume that role if Campbell is sidelined for any period of time.
New England is above .500 for the first time this season, moving to 3-2 with a 45-17 win over the Raiders. Drake Maye went nuclear with five total touchdowns (four passing and one rushing). DeMario Douglas caught two of those en route to the win. Cousins was 19-of-28 for 243 yards and one touchdown.
With the game out of reach, the Raiders are sending Kirk Cousins to the bench and are bringing in No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.
Drake Maye and Demario Douglas connect again. This time, the duo finds paydirt on an 8-yard touchdown. Douglas has four catches for 65 yards and two touchdowns.
Las Vegas cut into the Patriots lead with a goal-line rush by Dylan Laube, the first touchdown of his career. It's currently a 38-16 lead before the PAT for the Raiders, as Patriots defender Cory Durden is being looked at for an injury.
Man, Drake Maye is FEELING it! The Patriots QB found Kyle Williams on a beautiful 49-yard pass.
When it rains, it pours. The Raiders did a good job converting a fourth-and-3 attempt as Kirk Cousins delivered a short pass to Brock Bowers. However, as the standout tight end ran down the field, Kevin Byard punched the ball free and the Patriots recovered.
Drake Maye can do no wrong today. The Patriots QB has completed 20-of-26 for 289 yards and three passing touchdowns. Now, he's doing damage with his legs with a 3-yard rushing score.
Drake Maye is really finding it stride with the deep ball. He was one of the best deep-ball throwers last season, and it's starting to come back this season. The Patriots QB just perfectly placed a 31-yard pass to rookie tight end Eli Raridon.
Matt Gay connects on a 46-yard field goal, which helps the Raiders cut into New England's lead. It's a 28-10 game in favor of the Patriots.
LT Will Campbell (knee) and RB TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) have been downgraded to OUT.
After taking down Brock Bowers for a TFL, Patriots corner Charles Woods was slow to get up. He was checked out by the trainers before jogging off. New England is extremely thin at corner with Gonzalez and Davis out.
The Patriots are starting to pour it on. Coming out of the halftime locker room, Drake Maye uncorks a perfect deep ball to Kyler Williams for a 34-yard touchdown. It's a 28-7 lead for New England.
The Patriots pass rusher has been an impact player all season, and Week 5 is no exception. Over the first half, Ponder has three tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble.
The Raiders tried to cut into New England's lead with a 49-yard field goal, but Matt Gay's attempt doinked off the left goalpost. Patriots still lead 14-7 just after the two-minute warning.
Stevenson has dealt with fumbling issues the last few years, and it rears its head again. The Raiders punch the ball free again and pick up the loose ball at the New England 38-yard line.
Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson is heading to the locker room for further evaluation, and left tackle Will Campbell is also dinged up. 2026 first-round pick Caleb Lomu is coming in at left tackle.
The Patriots cap off an 11-play, 84-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run by Rhamondre Stevenson. It was pretty aggressive for New England's offense, converting a fourth-down earlier in the possession. The offense seems to be humming early.
Drake Maye showed some toughness on that fourth-down pass. He took a hard hit on a third down scramble, got right back up, and delivered a perfect ball to move the chains.
After making two clutch catches last week -- including the game-winning touchdown -- Efton Chism III continues to make plays. He went up to grab a 17-yard gain from Drake Maye. He's forcing his way onto more touches.
The Raiders have knotted the game at 7 apiece with a 13-yard touchdown reception. These are the first points the Patriots have allowed in the first quarter all season.
What an incredible effort by Bowers to muscle in this 24-yard catch. The Raiders tight end has a clear height advantage over Marcus Jones, but great concentration to hold onto the ball.
Douglas got free and was WIDE open for a 35-yard touchdown.
