The Las Vegas Raiders have a surprise 3-1 record, and there are many layers to this start. One of the big ones is a pass rush that ranks among the best in the league by basically any measure. Not only is Maxx Crosby leading the way there, but he's finally getting great help from Malcolm Koonce as well.
Las Vegas will travel to take on the New England Patriots in Week 5 of the 2026 NFL season in what will be the Silver and Black's first outdoor game this year. Just like in 2025, when the Raiders visited the Patriots, rain is in the forecast for Sunday.
New England isn't the same team that it was, though, as they became the AFC Champions. But they are also dealing with a long list of injuries, and it's fair to assume that a strong section of those players will at least be operating at less than full capacity this weekend.
And that'll only help this Raiders defensive line feast even more at Gillette Stadium.
Raiders can bring back the pressure-impacted version of Drake Maye in Week 5
Along the offensive line, the Patriots are already without right guard Michael Onwenu. Right tackle Morgan Moses was on Wednesday's injury report with a foot injury, and Onwenu's initial replacement, Greg Van Roten, is on IR as well.
Time will tell regarding Moses' availability, but he may be operating at less than full strength on Sunday.
Crosby gets it done against right tackles who are healthy, but a league-average right tackle who may not be fully mobile is ripe to be exploited. Moses' backup is rookie Caleb Lomu, who played 20 snaps at right tackle when Moses left the game in Week 3. Crosby vs. a rookie? Yes, please.
According to Pro Football Focus, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has been under pressure on 44.3% of his 2026 dropbacks, the third-highest rate in the league among quarterbacks who have started all four games.
Even with a better showing in Week 4, Maye's PFF passing grade when pressured this season is still a very dismal 25.8.
According to ESPN Insights, May was pressured a career-high 21 times in Week 4 against the Buffalo Bills. He was fairly effective under pressure in that game, completing half of his attempts with a touchdown.
Prior to that, though, per ESPN, he had zero touchdowns and three interceptions while completing less than 42% of his passes when pressured. Last Sunday feels more like an anomaly or an exception, not the rule.
Using a minimum of 25 plays, among 25 qualifying quarterbacks, Maye is 17th in total EPA when pressured, according to Sumer Sports. Accounting for his +10.32 rushing EPA when pressured, his passing EPA under pressure is especially dismal.
Also, according to Sumer Sports, Maye loses nearly a half-point in EPA when pressured (-0.27) vs. when not pressured (+0.17).
Maye cooled down the proverbial heat that was on him with a far better showing in Week 4. With a defensive line that's equipped to take full advantage of an offensive line that's struggling to keep him clean and may be further injury-impacted, the Raiders can turn that dial right back up this week,
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