New England Patriots linebacker Elijah Ponder has been on a roll to start the 2026 NFL season, and that continued in Week 5 with another big performance against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Pro Football Focus named Ponder to its Team of the Week for Week 5 after leading the way for a Patriots defense that performed exceptionally well, despite missing multiple starters, in the 45-17 blowout win.
Ponder recorded two sacks, two tackles for loss and three quarterback hits in the victory. Both of his sacks came against Raiders left tackle Kolton Miller, including one on 3rd-and-11 that knocked Las Vegas out of field-goal range. He also forced the first fumble of his career, helping the Patriots’ defense hold the Raiders to 17 points and 38 rushing yards
on the day.
The performance lifted Ponder’s season total to 4.5 sacks through five games, the most on New England’s defense. He has now recorded at least a half-sack in four of the first five games of the season, establishing himself as one of the Patriots’ most consistent pass rushers.
Ponder had a strong all-around defensive effort, as he and New England found a way to consistently bother Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins and slow down Las Vegas’ offense, which has been a well-oiled machine to begin the year.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots breakout candidate named to PFF's Team of the Week
