This is not the same team in New England as made the Super Bowl after last season. They are a very beatable team for several reasons. Let's take a look at a few of them.
1. Drake Maye struggles under pressure
Against the Bills in Week 4, Maye had his best game of the season. But the issues that caused him to have a slow start to the season are still there. He was able to overcome some of those issues thanks to playing from a clean pocket 52% of the time. He completed 15 of 22 passes and averaged 8.6 yards per attempt on those dropbacks.
The 48% of Maye's snaps where he saw pressure was a different story. He completed seven of 15 passes and averaged just 5.3 yards per attempt on those dropbacks. The Raiders have gotten good pressure on QBs this season and from more than just Maxx Crosby
this time.
2. Patriots depleted secondary
The Raiders don’t have a great wide receiver corps. That is well established. But if they are to play above their station, this could be the game to do it. The Patriots will be without four of their cornerbacks, including both starters. And one of the guys who could be asked to step up is Questionable for the game. Brock Bowers should eat in this one, and there’s no excuse why Tre Tucker and/or Cody White can’t get something going too.
3. Klint Kubiak Super Bowl LX performance
This is a Super Bowl rematch the Patriots don’t want. They already faced the Seahawks in the opener – and lost again – but that with without Klint Kubiak calling the offense. Kubiak has the Pats’ number. His Seahawks ran circles around the Patriots in the Super Bowl and, while the Raiders don’t have nearly the talent, they have still put up great numbers this season under Kubiak's direction, including QB Kirk Cousins leading the NFL with 11 touchdown passes.
See the Raiders causes for concern vs the Patriots
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: 3 Reasons for optimism for Raiders Week 5 vs Patriots
