The Las Vegas Raiders and New England Patriots arrive at Gillette Stadium with very different Week 4 experiences, yet both teams should feel reasonably good about their positions. Las Vegas lost its unbeaten record in a close 30-27 battle against Kansas City, and quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 365 yards and two touchdowns, nearly leading a late-game comeback. Meanwhile, New England won in Buffalo, securing a 29-26 win thanks to a balanced offensive performance and one of Drake Maye's best late-game sequences of the young season.
This sets up Sunday's matchup between a 3-1 Raiders team that aims to prove its strong start wasn't solely due to an easy schedule and a 2-2 Patriots team returning home with heightened confidence. New England opened as a 3.5-point favorite due to both home-field advantage and the momentum from its road win over Buffalo, but,
Las Vegas has scored at least 26 points in every game and possesses enough offensive firepower to keep the contest competitive.
Here are three bold predictions for the Raiders-Patriots matchup in Week 5.
Brock Bowers tops 100 receiving yards and scores again
Bowers missed the first two games of the season due to a meniscus procedure, but the Las Vegas Raiders quickly rebuilt their passing game around him. Upon his return in Week 3, he was heavily involved and helped the tight end group accumulate 200 receiving yards and two touchdowns against Kansas City. This included a crucial late 20-yard touchdown that provided the Raiders with a last-minute opportunity.
This trend should continue in New England, as the matchup favors a player who can create after the catch and challenge linebackers and safeties without needing quarterback Cousins to hold the ball for long developing routes. The Patriots have shown they can apply pressure, and Las Vegas will likely avoid unnecessary risks, especially with their most dangerous receiving option able to win quickly from various positions.
Klint Kubiak has also demonstrated a willingness to focus on the middle of the field, which is particularly beneficial against a defense that tends to change coverage schemes rather than stick to one approach. Quick throws can help neutralize pressure while giving Bowers the chance to make explosive plays once he has the ball.
Expect another high-volume performance, with Bowers likely surpassing 100 receiving yards and scoring a touchdown for the third consecutive week.
Drake Maye produces 300 total yards and three touchdowns
Maye does not need to replicate everything that worked against Buffalo for this prediction to be successful, as his rushing ability provides an additional avenue for a significant statistical performance.
In Week 4, he led New England with 54 rushing yards while also throwing three touchdown passes, including two to Romeo Doubs and the game-winning touchdown to Efton Chism III. Although an interception slightly marred his performance, the bigger takeaway was how comfortable the offense looked once the game required Maye to create plays rather than just manage possessions.
Article Continues BelowLas Vegas has shown competitiveness defensively, but Kansas City generated nearly 400 total yards in Week 4 and frequently created explosive plays, highlighting a vulnerability that New England can exploit without completely abandoning the running game.
The Patriots have also begun to see increased production from their supporting cast, providing Maye with multiple options when defenses take away his first read. Doubs finally made an impact with two touchdowns against Buffalo, and the quarterback's mobility continues to be particularly valuable whenever protection breaks down and man coverage opens up space.
If Maye can achieve a passing total of 250 yards combined with over 50 yards rushing, he would surpass 300 total yards. Additionally, the matchup presents a realistic opportunity for him to score three touchdowns through both his arm and legs.
Maxx Crosby records two sacks, but New England wins another one-score game
This matchup poses a challenge for the Patriots.
New England's run blocking showed significant improvement against Buffalo, but their pass protection still needs attention, especially with Crosby coming to town. The Raiders' star player recorded five quarterback hits and half a sack against Kansas City, demonstrating his ability to disrupt plays even on a day when the defense allowed several explosive moments.
While Maye's mobility can help mitigate some of the pressure, relying on him to escape the pocket against one of the league's most relentless edge defenders is not a viable long-term strategy. Crosby is likely to have enough one-on-one opportunities to disrupt multiple possessions, and it's realistic to expect him to record two sacks if New England finds itself in obvious passing situations.
Despite these concerns, the prediction still leans towards the Patriots. Their offense seems better equipped to handle negative plays than it was earlier in the season, as the Week 4 victory showcased their ability to recover from mistakes, sustain drives, and find various ways to score. In contrast, Las Vegas allowed Kansas City to capitalize on several opportunities, despite Cousins throwing for 365 yards.
Expect another tight fourth quarter where neither team gains complete control. Crosby will likely make life difficult for Maye throughout the game, but New England should do just enough offensively to secure the win at home by a single possession.