Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots: 3 things we learned

After keeping the score close early, the Las Vegas Raiders fell to the New England Patriots 36-20. Here are three things we learned from Sunday’s outcome.

On a short week, traveling to the East Coast, facing a well-coached New England Patriots team, Week 3 proved to be a legitimate assessment for the Las Vegas Raiders. Heading into Foxborough at 2-0, coming off a significant win in Allegiant Stadium’s debut, a win by Las Vegas would be a statement on the trajectory this team is headed.

Yet the odds may have been stacked too high, as the Raiders fell 20-36 on Sunday to the Cam Newton-led Patriots. Were it not for a late Derek Carr to Hunter Renfrow touchdown, the final score could have looked much bleaker.

After Las Vegas’ defense managed to keep the game close at the start, it was the Patriots who would win the coaching battle by the final whistle, executing their gameplan led by an efficient running game. It’s too easy to point fingers, by the end of the game, the Las Vegas Raiders were outplayed and out-coached, resulting in the team’s first loss of the season.

Here are three things learned from Sunday’s loss, and what Las Vegas needs to correct going forward.