The Las Vegas Raiders are looking to get back in the win column when they take the field in Week 5 against the New England Patriots. This will be no easy task, as it'll be the Silver and Black's first early game, their second trip east in three weeks, and the Patriots are coming off a momentous win.
But Klint Kubiak's team doesn't seem to be like the Raiders of the past, so the hope is that their close loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend doesn't snowball into another losing effort this Sunday. Las Vegas is fully capable of winning this game; they just have to go out there and do their jobs.
Before the game kicks off on this fine Sunday for some NFL football, let's get a little preview going here, including how to watch this game, injury reports for both the Raiders and Patriots, key storylines for Las Vegas and all of the key expert predictions.
- How to watch Raiders vs. Patriots in Week 5
- Raiders injury report for Week 5
- Patriots injury report for Week 5
- Biggest Raiders storylines heading into Week 5
- Predictions for Raiders vs. Patriots in Week 5
How to watch Raiders vs. Patriots in Week 5
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 11
- Time: 10:00 a.m. PT
- TV Network: CBS
- Announcers: Kevin Harlan (Play-by-play), Trent Green (Analyst), Melanie Collins (sideline reporter)
For the fifth week in a row, the Raiders will be playing a Sunday game. The twist here is that Las Vegas is kicking off in the early window for the first time this season. Klint Kubiak's team needs to be ready as they break their routine for the Week 5 contest.
Raiders injury report for Week 5
Player | Position | Injury | Game Designation |
|---|---|---|---|
Jalen Nailor | WR | Concussion | |
Jackson Powers-Johnson | RG | Groin | |
Brock Bowers | TE | Knee | |
Ashton Jeanty | RB | Ankle/Foot | |
Spencer Burford | LG | Knee | |
Foley Fatukasi | DT | Shoulder | |
Segun Olubi | LB | Wrist | |
Dont'e Thornton Jr. | WR | Hamstring | |
Cody White | WR | Ankle | |
Trey Zuhn III | OL | Knee |
Outside of the absence of Jalen Nailor, the Raiders are relatively healthy in this matchup. Ashton Jeanty clearly isn't 100%, as he was downgraded mid-week with an added foot injury, and Dont'e Thornton Jr. isn't ready to make his return, but everyone else is seemingly ready to go.
Patriots injury report for Week 5
Position | Player | Injury | Game Designation |
|---|---|---|---|
Christian Gonzalez | CB | Shoulder | |
Carlton Davis | CB | Neck | |
Rhamondre Stevenson | RB | Knee | |
Christian Barmore | DT | Shoulder | |
Christian Elliss | LB | Chest | |
Craig Woodson | SAF | Shoulder | |
Mack Hollins | WR | Calf | |
Dre'Mont Jones | OLB | Shoulder | |
Morgan Moses | RT | Foot | |
Channing Canada | CB | Hamstring | |
Reggie Gilliam | FB | Ankle/Knee | |
Karon Prunty | CB | Hamstring | |
Charles Woods | CB | Shoulder | |
Drake Maye | QB | Rt. Shoulder |
The Patriots are not very healthy heading into this one. They are down several key starters and role players, and those New Englanders who were able to tough it out and suit up on Sunday surely aren't going to be at full speed after sitting out or being limited in practices this week.
Biggest Raiders storylines heading into Week 5
Can the Raiders finally get the run game going?
The run game, the run game, the run game. It's all anyone has been talking about this week after the third straight contest in which the Raiders have failed to be effective on the ground. Jeanty not being healthy certainly doesn't help, but the whole system has looked out of whack so far this season.
New England isn't quite as stout against the run this year as it has been in seasons past, so this would be a great time for Las Vegas to jump-start its rushing attack. If not, a lot of pressure will be on Kirk Cousins' shoulders once again, which shouldn't be the game plan, no matter how well he is playing.
Will Las Vegas get after the QB and make life difficult for Drake Maye?
Las Vegas' defensive line is among the best in the league at pressuring and sacking the quarterback, and the Patriots have holes on the right. That's where Maxx Crosby lines up. With the protection surely slid that way, Malcolm Koonce and Kwity Paye absolutely have to get home.
Plus, Drake Maye has struggled immensely under pressure this year, with his accuracy dropping and his turnover-worthy plays dramatically increasing. If the Raiders can heat him up and get takeaways, that will go a long way in determining the result of this game.
How can the Silver and Black take advantage of a short-staffed Patriots team?
It sounds a bit messed up, but Las Vegas needs to capitalize against a Patriots team that is dealing with its fair share of injuries. Rotating heavily to keep the team fresh against a thin New England roster will be key, but so will picking on backups and weak points on the opposing roster.
The Patriots don't have anyone who can cover Brock Bowers, so there is no reason not to throw to him frequently. New England has a porous right side of the offensive line; overload it. This was a winnable game anyway, but it is especially so now, and the Raiders must attack.
Predictions for Raiders vs. Patriots in Week 5
ESPN Experts
Jeremy Fowler - Raiders
Kalyn Kahler - Raiders
Pamela Maldonado - Raiders
Lindsey Thiry - Raiders
Seth Wickersham - Raiders
Ben Solak - Patriots
Jason Reid - Patriots
Matt Bowen - Patriots
Dan Graziano - Patriots
Mike Clay - Patriots
Eric Moody - Patriots
NFL Media
Colleen Wolfe - Raiders
Brandon Perna - Raiders
Tom Grossi - Raiders
Nick Shook - Raiders
Grant Gordon - Patriots
Brooke Cersosimo - Patriots
Bucky Brooks - Patriots
Lance Zierlein - Patriots
Dan Parr - Patriots
Kevin Patra - Patriots
Bleacher Report
Brett Sobleski - Raiders
Gary Davenport - Raiders
Moe Moton - Raiders
Kristopher Knox - Raiders
Ian Hanford - Raiders
Brad Gagnon - Patriots
Wes O'Donnell - Patriots
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