FOXBOROUGH — The New England Patriots stayed in the win column with a convincing 45-17 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday at Gillette Stadium to improve to 3-2 in Week 5. Facing a Raiders team that had lost just one of its first four games and ranked highly in various offensive and defensive categories, Mike Vrabel's team controlled the Week 5 contest from start to finish.
Quarterback Drake Maye delivered an elite performance, finishing 26-of-34 for 374 yards and four touchdowns while adding a fifth score on the ground. His +0.76 EPA per drop-back ranked in the 100th percentile, and he punished Las Vegas downfield by completing 8-of-11 passes over 10 air yards for 206 yards and three touchdowns. "Coach McDaniels was — it was beautiful," Maye said. "It was beautiful to be a part of today. He was clicking on all cylinders, making us look good, and we were executing."
New England did it shorthanded at wide receiver, entering with just four active wideouts with Mack Hollins and A.J. Brown on injured reserve. Kyle Williams led the group with a pair of deep receptions from Maye for a career-high 91 yards and a touchdown, while fellow second-year receiver Efton Chism III filled the Hollins role with a team-high six targets and five catches for a career-high 57 yards. DeMario Douglas found the end zone twice and Romeo Doubs drew a pair of defensive pass interference penalties. Up front, rookie first-round pick Caleb Lomu replaced Will Campbell after a knee injury and held up after Las Vegas flipped All-Pro Maxx Crosby to his side, allowing just one hurry in live viewing and finishing his defender to the ground on Maye's rushing touchdown. The line was flagged for five penalties but kept Maye under pressure on just 26% of his drop-backs despite six quarterback hits. "The first touchdown to Pop, I'm back there – credit the offensive line eating a ham sandwich, so I've got all day back there," Maye said.
Defensively, edge rusher Elijah Ponder continued a strong start with two sacks, including a strip sack, plus an additional quarterback hit and hurry, while defensive tackle Milton Williams drew extra attention inside and still produced a team-high five pressures for his best game of the season. The duo helped generate a 48% pressure rate on Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins, including a similar rate with a standard four-man rush. Penalties were the clear negative, as New England was flagged 12 times for 116 yards, a total Vrabel called "ridiculous" postgame.
Rhamondre Stevenson ran well after dealing with a knee injury during the week, totaling 64 yards and a touchdown on the ground with 21 yards through the air, while tight end Eli Raridon posted career highs with five catches for 57 yards. Cornerback Kindle Vildor earned a game ball while playing 43 snaps with the Patriots down four cornerbacks, recording a pass breakup and a forced fumble. Las Vegas tight end Brock Bowers still produced an 8-catch, 110-yard, one-touchdown line despite New England's varied coverages.