LAS VEGAS — Combine the Patriots and Raiders, and also you’d have one positive soccer workforce.
The Raiders’ 21-17 win Sunday over the Patriots was a little bit of a slog that noticed each groups mix for 3 touchdowns, 5 profitable subject objectives, two turnovers and simply 5.2 yards per play.
And it ended when Patriots quarterback Mac Jones ate a sack for a security after proper deal with Vederian Lowe was crushed by Raiders defensive finish Maxx Crosby for a sack.
The once-successful Patriots basically break up in half after Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler left their posts in New England to change into Las Vegas’ head coach and common supervisor, respectively, in 2022. With them, they introduced eight coaches, 5 scouts and 9 gamers from the Patriots, as Bill Belichick talked about earlier this week.
Sunday’s assembly served as a half-game, half-reunion. There’s by no means been extra intermingling between two groups throughout pregame warmups.
The quarterback play on each groups has left quite a bit to be desired. For the primary time in three weeks, Jones really completed this sport, although he was spelled at occasions for undrafted rookie Malik Cunningham as offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien confirmed some much-needed creativity whereas manning an offense that lacks elite expertise. Cunningham supplanted Bailey Zappe (lowered to the emergency third QB position) because the Patriots’ backup quarterback whereas Will Grier was inactive.
Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t end the sport, as he was transferred to a neighborhood hospital after halftime for a again harm suffered late within the second quarter. Another former Patriots QB, Brian Hoyer, changed him and confirmed a greater skill to maneuver the ball downfield.
The Patriots, now 1-5 on the season, confirmed life late within the sport, however their 17-play, 78-yard inexorably lengthy nine-minute and 30-second drive that ended with a 1-yard landing run from Rhamondre Stevenson and minimize the Raiders’ result in two factors was too little, too late.
The Patriots acquired off to a different sluggish begin, going three-and-out on their first two offensive drives, on considered one of which they couldn’t capitalize after security Jabrill Peppers dislodged the ball from Raiders vast receiver Davante Adams on a large hit in the midst of the sector. The ball popped into linebacker Jahlani Tavai’s arms for an interception. It was simply the Patriots’ third takeaway of the season.
Rookie kicker Chad Ryland hit a 43-yard subject purpose halfway by means of the second quarter after Jones orchestrated a six-play, 67-yard drive wherein a 74-yard landing run by Ezekiel Elliott was nullified by a holding penalty on tight finish Hunter Henry.
Jones had his requisite turnover on the Patriots’ subsequent drive, throwing behind Henry whereas rolling to his proper and unintentionally hitting Raiders security Trevon Moehrig within the chest for an interception.
The Patriots got here out of the gate firing after the half as Jones led the workforce on a 10-play, 70-yard landing drive. He was off of the sector on Elliott’s 2-yard landing plunge. Cunningham lined up at quarterback earlier than splitting out to vast receiver. Elliott took a direct snap previous the purpose line.
Old pal Jakobi Meyers was on the receiving finish of Garoppolo’s solely landing cross of the sport. The former Patriots wideout was left vast open in the midst of the top zone on a 12-yard strike by Garoppolo. Meyers caught 5 passes for 61 yards with the landing.
The Raiders, dedicated to operating the ball beneath McDaniels’ play-calling, additionally scored on 4 subject objectives from kicker Daniel Carlson. Starting operating again Josh Jacobs picked up simply 68 yards on 21 carries.
BEST
S Jabrill Peppers: The veteran defender made the perfect play of the season for the Patriots, demolishing Adams over the center to trigger an interception.
RB Ezekiel Elliott: Elliott had his greatest sport as a Patriot, exhibiting spectacular energy and burst on what ought to have been a protracted landing. Still, he completed averaging 4.9 yards per carry with the landing run.
WR Kendrick Bourne: With Demario Douglas and JuJu Smith-Schuster out, Bourne led the workforce in targets with 10 catches on 11 targets for 89 yards with an elevated position from the slot. He additionally picked up a 4-yard carry.
WORST
QB Mac Jones: Just as a result of it wasn’t as unhealthy doesn’t imply it wasn’t unhealthy. Jones went simply 24-of-30 for 200 yards with an interception.
Offensive line: The Patriots’ blockers let up three sacks, together with the ultimate security, and have been charged with back-to-back penalties on the workforce’s opening drive. It was an inauspicious begin to the sport. Rookie Sidy Sow was later charged with a false begin.
WR DeVante Parker: The vast receiver dropped a deep cross from Jones earlier than the QB’s last-minute security. A catch may have prolonged the drive.
Source: www.bostonherald.com