It seems like every game this season for the Raiders has been of particular interest. From facing the lowly Dolphins to open the season, to facing teams with similar questions in the Chargers and Saints, to hanging in against the Chiefs who are considered among the best teams in the NFL right now.
That continues this week with the Raiders facing the defending AFC champs in their house. To get the temperature of things in New England right now, we spoke with Jordy McElroy from Patriots Wire.
1. Drake Maye seems to have come out of nowhere last week to have a great game. Does it look like a sign of things to come or do you expect him to fall back more the level he played at the first three weeks?
Jordy McElroy: I think what people saw from Drake Maye is a sign of things to come. I completely understand the hesitation to anoint him as the next great young quarterback, but you don't just luck into being one vote away from winning the MVP.
Maye is still
a young, developing quarterback playing through some adversity against some tough defensive teams. A.J. Brown is out with an injury, and Maye's two favorite receiving targets from last season, Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte, are gone. The offensive line has also been banged up.
That 2025 version of Maye is still in there, and he proved it on the road against the Bills last week.
2. The Patriots have had a bit of a Jeckyl & Hyde type season. Is that just a matter of matchups or something else?
JM: The matchups have been a huge part of it, but honestly, if you told me the Patriots would be 2-2 to start the season, I would have said they'd be in a very good place. Facing the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks, followed by three straight 2025 playoff opponents in the Steelers, Jaguars and Bills has been a brutal stretch.
3. Patriots weaknesses on each side of the ball Raiders could exploit
JM: On the offensive side of the ball, I'm curious to see if Kirk Cousins and the Raiders can take advantage of the Patriots having their two top cornerbacks, Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III, out for this game.
On defense, can Maxx Crosby play game-wrecker? Maye is a talented quarterback, but he also plays too much hot potato with the football in the pocket. Can Crosby and the Raiders' defense force turnovers? It's also important to note that Maye will be without both Brown and Mack Hollins in this game.
4. Under-the-radar players on each side of the ball for the Patriots
JM: On defense, rookie edge rusher Gabe Jacas has been a force for the Patriots, particularly in the run-stuffing department, right out of the gates. He also pancaked Bills Pro Bowl tackle Dion Dawkins and got pressure on Josh Allen last week.
On the offensive side, it would have to be wideout Efton Chism III. The world found out who he was when he made the game-winning catch against the Bills, but Patriots fans have been talking about him since the 2025 offseason. He should get more opportunities on Sunday.
5. Raiders vs Patriots: Who wins? Why? Score prediction.
JM: I am going with the Patriots in this one. I think the Raiders' run so far should be respected, but I also spy a little fool's gold in there, too. All of their wins have come against opponents with a combined 1-11 record so far this season.
Credit for pushing the Chiefs, but those divisional games tend to get tough from time to time. The Patriots are undermanned, but they'll be at home and riding momentum from their road win over Buffalo. The Raiders have to travel across the country after a loss in a completely different time zone.
If the Patriots' defense can slow the tight ends, there isn't really anyone on the outside at receiver who should scare them in this matchup. I would envision a similar game plan that they used to slow down Dalton Kincaid and the Bills' high-powered offense last week.
I am going Patriots 24, Raiders 20.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Behind Enemy Lines: Previewing Raiders Week 5 matchup with Patriots Wire
