FINAL: Safety Denies New England Patriots Comeback; Las Vegas Raiders Pullout 21-17 Win
The New England Patriots are on the ropes as they are on the road to face the Las Vegas Raiders inside Allegiant Stadium.
In the midst of a two-game slump, the worst defeats of Coach Bill Belichick's career, the Patriots have been outscored 72-3 in losses to the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints.
This has led to a couple brutal streaks that the Patriots hope to break Sunday afternoon. New England's offense has gone 34 straight drives without a touchdown and 24 consecutive drives without a point scored. Ouch.
Quarterback Mac Jones was pulled from both games in the second half. Belichick confirmed that Jones will continue to start for the Patriots against the Raiders.
Dec 18, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) carriies the ball against Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Tyler Hall (37) in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 30-24.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
In the first three games this season, it looked like New England's offense under new coordinator Bill O'Brien was clicking. Jones was 81 of 125 for 748 yards, with five touchdowns and two interceptions.
Reaching the end zone against Las Vegas will be a challenge, as the Raiders have held their opponent to less than 16 points in back-to-back games.
Another major concern for New England: The Patriots are searching for ways to replace two of their best defensive starters in Matthew Judon (torn biceps) and Christian Gonzalez (dislocated shoulder), who were both injured in Dallas and could be out for the season.
New England's defense looks to get after Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. In Las Vegas' 17-13 win vs. the Green Bay Packers, Garappolo targeted nine pass-catchers, completing passes to seven of them for a total of 208 yards.
This matchup is also highlighted by the second reunion between Belichick and his former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in his second season as Raiders head coach.
"I mean, we've kind of -- the horse is dead," McDaniels said. "We've beat it enough. You know what I mean? I mean, it is what it is. So, every week you got and somebody used to play there or they know somebody on that staff or whatever it is. So, yeah, it's Game 6 for us."
McDaniels added that he's confident in his former mentor Belichick and knows not to take his team lightly.
First Quarter
After a penalty on a field goal gave the Raiders a free first down, the Patriots defense was able to make another stand in the redzone to hold them to three points.
FIELD GOAL RAIDERS
Las Vegas Raiders 3, New England Patriots 0
Change of Possession
The first two Patriots' plays were penalties before Rhamondre Stevenson dropped Mac Jones' first pass on second-and-15, then on third, a run by Stevenson went for just six yards before a punt.
Change of Possession
The Patriots' defense made a stand after the punt as Garoppolo's second-down pass to Davante Adams was broken up by Jabrill Peppers, who knocked the ball into the air for Jahlani Tavai to intercept the pass.
Change of Possession
Following two straight runs that netted a combined three yards, Jones was sacked by former Patriots defensive tackle Adam Butler to force a punt.
Change of Possession
Second Quarter
Garoppolo capped off an eight-play drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jakobi Meyers to extend the Raiders. The inability to play press coverage really hurt the Patriots as the Raiders picked up multiple easy first downs thanks to the off-coverage.
TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS
Las Vegas Raiders 10, New England Patriots 0
Change of Possession
The Patriots had a touchdown thanks to a 74-yard pass to Ezekiel Elliott, except it was called back due to a holding penalty. Instead, the Patriots settled for a field goal after Jones found Kendrick Bourne for a 36-yard gain that helped them get into field goal range.
FIELD GOAL PATRIOTS
Las Vegas Raiders 10, New England Patriots 3
Change of Possession
The Patriots' defense doesn't keep their offense on the sideline for long, forcing a three-and-out from the Raiders.
Change of Possession
A promising drive is derailed by a costly interception thrown by an under-pressure Jones.
Change of Possession
The Raiders extended their lead to two scores with a 37-yard field goal from Daniel Carlson. Garoppolo had a pair of big passes to Jakobi Meyers to help set up the field goal. One was a 14-yard gain, and the other was for 16.
FIELD GOAL RAIDERS
Las Vegas Raiders 13, New England Patriots 3
Third Quarter
The Patriots come out of the locker room hot, driving 75 yards in 10 plays as Ezekiel Elliott punches the ball into the endzone on a two-yard run off a direct snap. Jones completed all four of his passes, which included a 15-yard completion to Pharaoh Brown.
TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS
Las Vegas Raiders 13, New England Patriots 10
Change of Possession
With Garoppolo out due to a back injury, former Patriots backup signal-caller Brian Hoyer comes off the bench and leads the Raiders on a scoring drive. Hoyer's second pass was a 48-yard completion to Tre Tucker. Although the Patriots defense was able to hold the Raiders to just a field goal.
FIELD GOAL RAIDERS
Las Vegas Raiders 16, New England Patriots 10
Change of Possession
The Patriots didn't get much going as they went three-and-out after Jones's pass fell incomplete on third down.
Change of Possession
Fourth Quarter
An 18-yard run for Josh Jacobs and a 12-yard completion helped the Raiders get deep into Patriots territory. However, a fourth-and-goal pass to Adams fell incomplete, forcing the Raiders to settle for a field goal.
FIELD GOAL RAIDERS
Las Vegas Raiders 19, New England Patriots 10
Change of Possession
The Patriots have cut the deficit to just one score with a long 17-play drive that ate over nine minutes off the clock as Rhamondre Stevenson found the endzone with a one-yard run.
TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS
Las Vegas Raiders 19, New England Patriots 17
Change of Possession
After a controversial pass interference penalty gave the Raiders their first third-down conversion, the Patriots' defense stood tall on the next set of downs to force a punt.
Change of Possession
An offensive holding and delay of game penalty helped the Raiders sack Mac Jones for a game-clinching safety.
SAFETY RAIDERS
Las Vegas Raiders 21, New England Patriots 17
Change of Possession
Brian Hoyer took the game-ending knee.
FINAL: Las Vegas Raiders 21, New England Patriots 17
