Raiders Week 5: Eyeing The Patriots That Present Problems For Las Vegas

You have to give Klint Kubiak kudos for the confidence he not only has in his Las Vegas Raiders, but also the way he prepares his football team.

The head coach is set to take his 3-1 Silver & Black on the road to face the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough this Sunday. The Week 5 tilt between the two AFC teams is set for an earlier kickoff time than what the Pacific Standard Time desert marauders are accustomed to, despite the team playing on the road twice already this season — but with afternoon start times.

Thus, during his media availability this week, Kubiak was asked what challenges an earlier kickoff — the game is at 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time but 10 a.m. PST — presents to his team.

“We practiced at 7:30 in the morning all training camp, so it’ll be different. But I’m not worried about it,” the head coach responded.

Indeed.

Timing shouldn’t be a major concern for the Raiders. It’s the of attacking and defending the Patriots that’s of utmost importance this Sunday.

So far on the young season, New England has seemingly covered the full gamut of the good, bad, and the ugly an NFL team can present through four games. At 2-2 though, and coming off a stunner of a victory over AFC East favorite Buffalo Bills (29-26 win last Sunday), the Patriots are not to be taken lightly.

Grounded Approach

With 120 rushing attempts and 471 yards total, the New England offense helmed by former Las Vegas head coach Josh McDaniels ranks fourth and 10th in the league, respectively, in those two categories through four games. In the upset win over Buffalo, New England churned out 143 yards on 35 attempts and a touchdown so expect McDaniels to test a Las Vegas run defense that’s allowed 538 yards on 104 attempts, which ranks 27th in the league in total yardage yielded.

The Patriots ground game is a three-headed dragon of sorts with veteran running back Rhamondre Stevenson leading the group with 163 yards on 44 carries (3.7 yards per carry average) and a touchdown. He’s followed by second-year tailback TreVeyon Henderson (38 carries for 141 yards and a touchdown, 3.7 yards per carry) and third-year quarterback Drake Maye (23 rushes for 136 yards, 5.9 yards per carry).

Stevenson has been limited in practices due to a knee injury suffered last Sunday but the speedy Henderson alongside Maye can do damage against a Raiders defense that’s allowed an increasing amount of rushing yards since Week 1: 74 to the Miami Dolphins in the opener; 127 against the Los Angeles Chargers; 148 against the New Orleans Saints; and 189 against the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday.

While Maye leaves plenty to be desired as a passer — 73 of 117 for 854 yards with four touchdowns and a league-leading seven interceptions — he’s got the wheels and willingness to run to move the chains. His favorite targets so far are veteran wide receivers Mack Hollins (a former Raider) and Romeo Doubs. That duo leads New England with 20 targets apiece with Hollins snaring 15 for 209 yards and Doubs catching 12 for 203 yards and two touchdowns. Hollins got hurt last Sunday and was declared out for Sunday’s game by the Patriots on Friday.

That noted, veteran tight end Hunter Henry remains a capable pass catcher with 12 receptions for 133 yards on the year.

What About Bob?

Yet another former Raider in this matchup is Patriots middle linebacker Robert Spillane. The 31-year-old leads the team in total tackles (29) and has one forced fumble thus far. Expect the hard-charging linebacker to drop the hammer against both the Las Vegas’ ground game and aerial attack in the middle. While Spillane doesn’t have an interception or pass deflection yet, he’s no slouch in pass coverage as he had five in his two season with the Raiders (2024-25) and two in his first year with the Patriots last season.

Fellow linebacker Christian Ellis — limited in practices with a chest injury — is right behind Spillane with 25 total tackles and has a sack and forced fumble so far this season. The duo are active second-level defenders who love to come downhill to stymie the oppositions ground game.

Off the edge, youngers Elijah Ponder and Gabe Jacas are hoping to replicate the pressures the Kansas City Chiefs generated against Las Vegas last Sunday, in this upcoming Week 5 matchup. Ponder (24 years old) leads the team with 2.5 sacks (also team-leading four tackles for loss), while Jacas (22) has 1.5 sacks (and two tackles for loss).

In the trenches, defensive tackles Christian Barmore’s and Milton Williams’ stat lines are paltry (nine and four total tackles with no stops for loss), but both have the size and power to anchor and make running the ball difficult — especially for a Raiders team struggling to get consistent production from the run game.

Head-to-Head

Sunday’s matchup marks the 40th meeting between the two storied franchises and it’s the Patriots that lead the overall series 20-18-1 (18-17-1 in regular season action, 2-1 in postseason play). The Raiders, however, have won the last three meetings with the most recent outcome a 20-13 win in the two teams’ regular season opener in 2025 in New England. The Patriots were victorious in six-straight meetings from 2005 to 2020, however, marking the longest win streak of the all-time series.

Quotes of Note

“I just worry about us. Not thinking as much about them, other than the game, the team we’re playing this week schematically and player-wise. But as far as what we’re trying to build is, we’re just trying to win, trying to win every game, just like every team the NFL is. That is our mindset, just to win. Not to build or rebuild or anything. Just looking at the next game and competing and winning that game.”

—Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak when asked if he sees parallels from his team to what the New England Patriots accomplished in 2025

“Well, I think it’s been a resilient group. I think our defense has played very well. I think guys are making plays. I think it’s probably less learning and more confirming what I learned about them back in the spring or even in training camp. These guys, they want to do it the right way. Football means something to them. They’re hardworking, listen well, and it makes it a joy to be the quarterback for a group of guys like that. But you got to go prove it again every week.”

—Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins on what he’s learned about the team after the first four games