The Las Vegas Raiders came into this matchup against the Patriots with a 2-0 record, after upsetting the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football last week. Many people believed that Jon Gruden finally had this team going in the right direction.
But, the Patriots saw what the Raiders did to the Saints on Monday Night Football, and they were up for the challenge.
After a slow first quarter for both teams, the Raiders broke through first, putting up a 29-yard field goal at the end of the first quarter. Cam Newton struggled and it looked like it was going to be a long day for the Patriots offense.
But, the Patriots turned it around and their offense started to get going in the second quarter. Rex Burkhead and J.J. Taylor heated up, and the Patriots started getting into a rhythm on the ground.
It looked like the Patriots were going into halftime up 13-3 after Rex Burkhead scored with 42 seconds left in the half. But, after a pass interference call on Stephon Gilmore, the Raiders were in Patriots territory. The Raiders found the end zone shorty after, and the Patriots lead was cut to 13-10 at the half.
But, once the second half began, it was all Patriots. Rex Burkhead and Sony Michel took over, and the Raiders had no real answer. The Patriots outscored the Raiders 23-10 in the second half, and cruised to a 36-20 victory.
Cam Newton did not have his best game, as he was 17/28 for 162 yards throwing one touchdown and one interception. Newton finished with a QBR of 26.6 and a QB Rating of 73.8. Both were his lowest totals of the season. But, the story of the game was not Cam Newton, it was the Patriots rushing attack. If anything, this game proved that they can win games in which Newton struggles.
The Patriots rushed for a season high 250 yards. Most notably, Sony Michel rushed for 117 yards, Rex Burkhead rushed for 49 yards a long with two rushing touchdowns, and J.J. Taylor rushed for 43 yards.
The Patriots running backs were the story of the game on the ground and in the passing game. Of Cam Newton’s 17 completions, nine were to running backs. Rex Burkhead hauled in seven receptions for 49 yards and one receiving touchdown. Sony Michel contributed with two receptions for 23 yards. It was an all-around good performance from the running back group who were without James White, and Damien Harris.
Rex Burkhead and Sony Michel really propelled the Patriots to victory, but the offensive line had a huge part in that. David Andrews was placed on injured reserve due to a thumb injury, so Joe Thuney stepped in at center. With Thuney shifting over to center, rookie Michael Onwneu stepped in at left guard. Thuney and Onwenu both played very well, and the offensive line did not skip a beat. According to Pro Football Focus, Onwenu graded out with an 86.7. The chemistry of the offensive line was apparent, and this unit continued to look to be one of the strongest in the NFL.
The defense also did their part in this Patriots victory. The defense created three turnovers, all of which were fumble recoveries. Derek Carr fumbled twice, and Josh Jacobs also fumbled. One of the fumbles resulted in a Patriots touchdown. Carr was stripped in the end zone, and Deatrich Wise recovered for the Patriots touchdown. Chase Winovich put together another nice game, with two quarterback hits, one sack, and one tackle for loss.
Bill Belichick is famously known for taking away the opposition’s best weapon, and he did not disappoint this week. Raiders tight end Darren Waller had the best game of his career last week against the Saints. Waller had 12 receptions for 105 yards. This week Belichick’s defense held Waller to two receptions for nine receiving yards. Both of those receptions came on the last Raiders drive, in garbage time. On top of stopping Waller, the Patriots mostly kept Josh Jacobs in check. Jacobs had a season-worst 71 rushing yards.
Bill Belichick was pleased with the team’s second half performance.
“We played the best 30 minutes of football in the second half, which is what we needed.”
The Patriots will head to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Chiefs next Sunday at 4:25 p.m. Stopping Patrick Mahomes and the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs will be a tall task for this Patriots team.
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