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The Las Vegas Raiders have now dropped two straight games after beginning the season 3-0.
Read more What Stood Out in Fernando Mendoza’s First Raiders Regular Season Action
The Raiders are still in the beginning stages of a rebuild, but are clearly ahead of schedule. However, the franchise now faces an early roadblock after a 45-17 defeat in New England to the Patriots.
Run Game Woes Continue
Teams have been selling out to stop the Raiders’ run attack, and that continued today. Las Vegas rushed for just 38 yards on 18 carries, an average of 2.1 yards per attempt. Ashton Jeanty was increasingly limited in practice this week leading up to the game, and he ended with 27 yards on 10 carries. Dylan Laube scored the Raiders’ lone rushing touchdown of the afternoon, totaling four carries for nine yards and that score.
Well, so much for the Raiders being a thing. Cute 3-0 start that will soon turn into 3-4. Their next two games are against the Bills and Rams.
Back to reality.
– Mark Gunnels (@MarkAGunnels) October 11, 2026
4 penalties for 70 yards in the 1st Quarter for Raiders. Have to clean that up quickly.
– Kirk Morrison (@kirkmorrison) October 11, 2026
Mike Washington Jr. only had one carry for five yards in the outing.
Out coached and dominated on both sides of the ball…. that’s all…. #raiders
– James Ramey (@ABNRanger87) October 11, 2026
Brock Bowers Leads Charge Again
Raiders star tight end Brock Bowers continues to cement himself as arguably the best tight end in the National Football League, as he is the driving force of this Las Vegas offense. The former Georgia Bulldog went for eight catches for 110 yards and a touchdown to lead the team. The Raiders’ next leading receiver was Jeanty, who finished with three receptions for 50 yards. Las Vegas’ top wide receiver in Boston was Cody White, who notched two catches for 44 yards.
Even when Brock Bowers is covered, he’s still open. Hell of a grab
– Matt Holder (@MHolder95) October 11, 2026
Brock Bowers the best TE in the league
– No Limit Of The West (@AnunnakiiFlow) October 11, 2026
As the final score will show, the Raiders struggled to find any offensive consistency, never scoring more than seven points in any quarter and being completely shut out in the second frame. Kirk Cousins finished 19-of-28 passing for 243 yards and one touchdown.
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Thank God for Brock Bowers… jeeze
– CJ (@Th3DarthRaider) October 4, 2026
Overall, the Raiders had their positives and negatives, but they have come back down to earth over the last two weeks after a scorching hot start to the season. Especially after a tight loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, a game that the Raiders had a legitimate chance to win, this was a tough outing for the franchise as they suffered their second straight loss.
Fernando Mendoza Makes Debut
Fernando Mendoza looked comfortable in his first few snaps…
– Darnell Smith (@Darnell_Smith95) October 11, 2026
omg Fernando Mendoza just did a quick prayer on the sideline we are about to watch his debut on a rainy day in New England
– Brandy Flores (@_brandyflores) October 11, 2026
However, Raider Nation did get to see highly touted rookie Fernando Mendoza take the field for the first time in the regular season in his NFL career. The 2026 No. 1 overall NFL Draft choice entered with about six minutes to go in the fourth quarter, finishing 6-of-8 passing for 48 yards.
FERNANDO MENDOZA FOLKS
– CJ (@Th3DarthRaider) October 11, 2026
Here we go welcome Fernando Mendoza
– Master Marco Polo “El Buki Raider” (@srchilaquilles) October 11, 2026
Mendoza is the hopeful future for Las Vegas, and fans got to see their cornerstone on the field for the first time in the regular season.
Today’s best reads
- What Stood Out in Fernando Mendoza’s First Raiders Regular Season Action
- Predicting Raiders’ Offensive Leaders Against Chiefs
- Raiders vs. Chiefs: Winners & Losers From Las Vegas
- Latest Kubiak Statement Proves Raiders Are Officially Back
- Hondo’s Weekly Raiders Report Card: What ‘Shocked’ NFL Execs
This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/raiders/onsi as Raider Nation Reacts to Lopsided Road Loss to Patriots.
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This story was originally published October 11, 2026 at 2:13 PM.