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The Las Vegas Raiders traveled to the East Coast looking to bounce back from their Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Instead, a questionable early call set off a downward spiral the Raiders could not work their way out of.
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Penalties
Las Vegas entered Week 5 as one of the least-penalized teams. That changed quickly, as the Raiders’ defense was flagged for multiple penalties that helped the Patriots’ offense get going. It was a sloppy day on both sides, as both teams were heavily penalized.
Still, several penalties called against the Raiders were questionable at best. The number of penalties and yards were relatively equal, but everyone knows that not all penalties are the same, and their timing isn’t either. The penalties were equal; their magnitude was not.
Although the penalties undoubtedly affected the flow, the referees and the penalties they called are not why the Raiders were thoroughly outplayed in every facet of the game. Plenty of blame could be placed on the whole team, as Sunday was a disappointing performance.
Below are some of the biggest takeaways from the Raiders’ blowout loss to the Patriots.
Physical Brand of Football
It took some time, but as the game went on, Las Vegas’ defense began playing the physical brand of football that helped them jump out to a 3-0 start to the season. It was far from pretty, but it was effective. New England entered Week 5 missing several players due to injury.
Before the first half ended, New England lost several more players. However, Las Vegas also lost players. Defensive linemen Tonka Hemingway and Folorunso Fatukasi sustained injuries. The Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers also lost multiple players against the Raiders.
Brock Bowers Is Good at Football
Bowers seems to make big plays every week, and that continued in Week 5. With the Raiders down by seven points early and struggling to move the ball, Las Vegas began getting the ball to Bowers. Las Vegas completed two big passes to their star tight end, including a touchdown.
Both completions were big catches that many others on Las Vegas’ roster likely would not have made. Bowers is special. There really are no words. Yes, Bowers had lost a fumble late in the game. It was the first time he has lost a fumble as a professional, and the Raiders were already down by 25.
No Run Support, Lack of Complementary Football
In their first three games, Las Vegas played an unbelievable amount of complementary football. It could be argued they played more complementary football than is realistically sustainable given where they are in their rebuild and the remaining deficiencies on offense.
For the past two weeks, the Raiders’ offense has been somewhat exposed. They are dealing with injuries to their receiving corps and starting running back, Ashton Jeanty. Still, the Raiders’ defense has done enough to keep them in games, even with the mental lapses they have had.
Las Vegas’ offense still has debilitating issues. Those issues are roster-relatedand have affected their ability to call plays. Running back Ashton Jeanty is clearly hurt. Blocking issues are also making it hard to run the ball. Both factors are hindering the offense. They must figure it out soon.
It doesn’t matter what Las Vegas’ defense does if the offense cannot score points. The Raiders’ offense isn’t only struggling to score points; it has failed to sustain long drives to give its struggling defense a rest. Las Vegas has to change something with two tough games coming up.
The Raiders Need More Help at WR
Entering the season, it was well known that the Raiders needed additional help at the wide receiver position. When healthy, their group of receivers is serviceable. However, their group of receivers has been the most impacted by injuries so far this season, making that need even worse.
Las Vegas entered Week 5 missing two of their starting wide receivers, but the Patriots were missing multiple wide receivers too. New England’s offense did not struggle as much as the Raiders’ receivers did. The Raiders’ lack of receiving options is reaching the point where it can derail the season.
Fernando Mendoza Sees the Field
It happened.
Raiders franchise cornerstone and No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Fernando Mendoza, made his regular-season NFL debut today against the Patriots. Mendoza checked in with about six minutes to go in the fourth quarter, and the Raiders already down 45-17. As many would expect, the NFL world was excited to see the highly-touted rookie take the field for the first time in the regular season.
Mendoza finished 6-of-8 passing for 48 yards and a QBR of 89.6. It isn’t so much about the performance itself, but about Raider Nation seeing their future on the field for the first time in the regular season.
The former Indiana Hoosier has a long road to go, but this is a huge deal for Raider Nation and the future of the franchise.
Today’s best reads
- Key Area of the Field Raiders Must Improve Quickly
- Raiders’ Injury Report Solidifies Plan Ahead of Patriots Matchup
- How Raiders Plan To Bounce Back From First Loss
- Raiders’ Rookie, Sophomore Power Rankings Following Loss to Chiefs
- Predicting Raiders’ Top Offensive Leaders Against Patriots
This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/raiders/onsi as Key Takeaways From Raiders’ Rough Week 5 Loss to Patriots.
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This story was originally published October 11, 2026 at 1:21 PM.