The stage was set for the Las Vegas Raiders heading into their Week 5 matchup against the New England Patriots.
The Raiders were one of the biggest surprises in the NFL during the first month of the 2026 season, starting 3-1 with a hard-fought loss to the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs the week prior as the only blemish on the record, leading to some early playoff hopes. Meanwhile, the Patriots were searching for answers at 2-2 and had several key players out with injuries, including four cornerbacks
and star defender Christian Gonzalez.
However, to say Las Vegas had a missed opportunity would be an understatement. The team was flat-out embarrassed.
Not only did New England win by four scores, but the Pats also outgained the Silver and Black by 230 yards, won the time-of-possession battle by almost nine minutes, and dominated pretty much from the jump. The Patriots’ defense managed to force a three-and-out on the opening possession of the game, and the offense followed that up with a five-play, 79-yard touchdown drive to go up 7-0.
Las Vegas did manage to respond with a touchdown, but New England just went right back down the field to retake the lead and never looked back. As a result, the Raiders went from being a postseason hopeful to officially being placed on fraud watch, while the internet isn’t exactly taking it easy on the Silver and Black.
Klint Kubiak says he abandoned the run too early. He’s made similar statements earlier this season.
The wide receivers had a great opportunity to stand out today and, safe to say, they fell flat.
The defense went back to 2025 in New England.
Hey, at least we got to see Fernando Mendoza play!
A few thoughts from our community chat (click the links/quotes below to join the conversation):
- Mendoza – one word. I have seen this act before. A limited, old QB who has so little outside the pocket and cannot extend plays. The teams are on to this. Future is now. — SpringsRaiders
- Mendoza escaped pressure a few times with his legs, Maye did it all game, a 25 yr old Cousins couldn’t do that, time for a change. — LBRaider1
- The running game, or it’s non-existence, goes back to the Pierce era or further. Looks like the problem is the OL talent is crap. Kubiak’s offense simply can’t operate against upper tiered opponents without an effective running game. It will be a long season unless they miraculously get the running game to perform. Also, they risk getting Mendoza hurt the way this OL is performing. — OakTownRayda
- Also, there was no urgency on the offense. Where were the screen passes to Jeanty earlier? Nope, just run up the middle into the pile to be gang tackled. Cousins clearly can throw further than he did all day. Not enough intermediate passes. The OL wasn’t great. I’m chalking it up to another “East Coast Blues” no-show, unprepared game for the Raiders. Last year’s win against NE means nothing as most first games of the season. When they were 3-0 after the Saints I was hoping for 4-1. Now 4-2 seems iffy. — Cagey
- Raiders need to win the games we should. Coming away with 7 or 8 wins this year would be considered progress. — Legacy Raider
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