The New England Patriots stayed in the win column on Sunday. Going up against a Las Vegas Raiders team that had previously lost just one of its first four games of the season and was ranked highly in various offensive and defensive categories, the team of head coach Mike Vrabel celebrated a convincing 45-17 victory to improve to 3-2 on the season..
Here is who caught our eye for better or worse upon live-viewing the Week 5 contest.
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Winners
QB Drake Maye: MVP Drake Maye was back in Gillette Stadium on Sunday. The Patriots quarterback finished the game 26-of-34 for 374 yards and four touchdowns while adding a fifth score on the ground. His +0.76 EPA per drop-back ranked in the 100th percentile. The Raiders gave Maye and the Patriots’ pass catchers opportunities downfield, which is a puzzling game plan against the group. He capitalized, completing 8-of-11 passes over 10 air yards for 206 yards and three touchdowns.
“Coach McDaniels was — it was beautiful,” Maye said. “It was beautiful to be a part of today. He was clicking on all cylinders, making us look good, and we were executing.”
Kyle Williams and the WRs: The Patriots entered Sunday with just four wide receivers on the active roster with Mack Hollins and A.J. Brown on injured reserve. The group stepped up, led by Kyle Williams who hauled in a pair of deep passes from Maye en route to posting a career-high 91 yards and a touchdown.
Behind Williams, fellow second-year receiver Efton Chism III filled the Hollins’ role nicely leading the team in targets (6) and catches (5) to post a career-high 57 yards. DeMario Douglas then found the end zone twice while Romeo Doubs made his mark by drawing a pair of defensive pass interference penalties.
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OT Caleb Lomu and the offensive line: With Will Campbell leaving the game with a knee injury, rookie first-round pick Caleb Lomu took his place at left tackle. Las Vegas immediately flipped Maxx Crosby to the rookie’s side but Lomu held up in his lone rep vs. the All-Pro. The rest of the game was much of the same as Lomu allowed just one hurry in live viewing and finished his defender to the ground on Maye’s rushing touchdown.
As for the rest of the line, the unit was called for five penalties but Maye was under pressure on just 26% of his drop-backs. Las Vegas had six quarterback hits, but there were plenty of clean pockets throughout the day for Maye to operate in.
“The first touchdown to Pop, I’m back there – credit the offensive line eating a ham sandwich, so I’ve got all day back there,” Maye said.
ED Elijah Ponder and DT Milton Williams: The Patriots’ young edge rusher continued a strong start to the season, as Ponder recorded two sacks (one strip sack) and an additional quarterback hit and hurry. On one of Ponder’s sacks, the Raiders had all eyes on Milton Williams along the interior as the defensive lineman continues to get plenty of extra attention this season. Still, Williams produced his best game of the season with a team-high five pressures.
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Getting to Kirk Cousins was an emphasis on Sunday, and duo helped lead to a 48% pressure rate on the Raiders’ quarterback — which included a similar percent with a standard four-man rush.
Losers
Penalties: Speaking post game, Mike Vrabel noted his team still had plenty to improve and clean up. Among the issues to correct: penalties. The Patriots were flagged 12 times on Sunday for 116 yards, a “ridiculous” amount, according to Vrabel.
Honorable mentions
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Rhamondre Stevenson ran well after dealing with a knee injury this week, finishing with 64 yards and a touchdown while adding 21 yards through the air.
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Career-highs for Eli Raridon with five catches for 57 yards. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Raridon become more-and-more involved as the season goes on.
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Game ball for cornerback Kindle Vildor. With the Patriots down four cornerbacks, Vildor stepped up (43 snaps) and had a pass breakup and a forced fumble.
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Credit to the Patriots coaching staff on all sides of the football. They were down a handful of starters and lost more during the game, and didn’t miss a single beat. Everyone was prepared.
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Bonus shoutout to Brock Bowers. The Patriots tried all sorts of things to take him out of the game and he still finished with an 8/110/1 line. Beast.
