The Raiders’ defense had no answer for Patriots quarterback Drake Maye today.
Maye was excellent today, throwing for 374 yards and four touchdown passes, and also running for a touchdown, as the Patriots cruised to an easy 45-17 win.
After struggling through the first three weeks of the season, Maye has now played two straight excellent games and led the Patriots to two straight wins against opponents with winning records. The Patriots have righted the ship.
Maye spread the ball around, with six different Patriots catching at least three passes. The big-play threat was Kyle Williams, who had a 34-yard touchdown and a 49-yard catch on a deep ball that set up a Patriots field goal.
Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins played reasonably well, but the Las Vegas offense repeatedly stalled in Patriots territory, and running back Ashton Jeanty could do nothing running the ball. Late in the game, Cousins went to the sideline and was replaced by first overall pick Fernando Mendoza, who looked decent while running the offense in garbage time.
Today’s result leaves both the Patriots and the Raiders at 3-2 on the season, but the Patriots have to feel a lot better about where they’re heading than the Raiders: Both teams have played AFC playoff contenders two weeks in a row, and Las Vegas is on a two-game losing streak while New England is on a two-game winning streak.