Las Vegas Raiders dominated by New England Patriots in Week 3
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders hit the road in Week 3 looking to protect their perfect record, and they were beaten soundly by the New England Patriots.
The Las Vegas Raiders brought their undefeated record to Foxboro on Sunday, taking on the 1-1 New England Patriots on the road. Coming off back-to-back 34-point games, the Raiders struggled to find the end zone early on against the Patriots, and luckily for them, their defense was up to the task in the first half.
Las Vegas dominated the first quarter, going up and down the field on the Patriots defense, but turnovers cost them. In what was not a fumble by Josh Jacobs, but ruled so on the field, the Raiders were able to muster only three points in the first frame, despite racking up over 100 yards of total offense.
Heading into the matchup, there was wonder whether or not Darren Waller and Josh Jacobs would play, as they had been held out of practice during the short week. Both suited up on Sunday, but Waller was a non-factor, and the Raiders offense never got going enough for Jacobs to have any real impact.
In the second quarter, the Patriots dominated, but there were plenty of fireworks to end the half. After a Rex Burkhead touchdown gave the Pats the lead at 13-3 with under a minute left, the Silver and Black took over with all three timeouts. Aided by a defensive penalty call, the Raiders drove down the field, and looked to have scored on a perfectly thrown pass by Carr to Hunter Renfrow.
He was ruled down at the one, and one play later, Carr found Foster Moreau to bring the Raiders within three. When the Patriots took a knee to close out the half, the two teams went into the locker room with the score sitting at 13-10 New England.
With the touchdown to Moreau, Carr tied Daryle Lamonica for No. 2 all-time in touchdown passes in Raiders history.
Carr led the Raiders down the field to open the second half, getting the Raiders into field goal range for Daniel Carlson, who had been perfect on the season. Instead of tying the game, Carlson missed the field goal, and the score remaining 13-10.
It would not remain that for long, as the Patriots drove down the field, gouging the Raiders on the ground, and Burkhead would find the end zone for the second time in the game. That put Las Vegas in a ten-point hole, which was a deficit they could not overcome.
In the end, the Patriots obliterated the Raiders in the second half, cruising to an easy victory at home.