New England Patriots defensive back Adrian Phillips, top, tackles Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
The Raiders had the look Sunday of a team coming off a hugely emotional win faced with a high-caliber opponent and a cross country road trip.
Not that they’ll concede any of that following a 36-20 loss to the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
“There’s no excuse. We’ve done it before and won games on short weeks,” defensive end Maxx Crosby said. “We were in that game and let it slip away.”
The Patriots rushed for 250 yards, had three touchdowns from Rex Burkhead and three field goals from Nick Folk in improving to 2-1. The Raiders were limited to a 1-yard TD pass from Derek Carr to Foster Moreau, a too-little-too-late 13-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Renfrow and field goals of 29 and 25 yards from Daniel Carlson.
Burkhead caught an 11-yard pass from Cam Newton and had rushing touchdowns of 5 and 2 yards. Sony Michel led New England with 117 yards on just nine carries, including breakaway runs of 35 and 48 yards in the third quarter.
New England put the game away with a defensive touchdown, with Deatrich Wise Jr. contributing on a goal line sack/fumble against Carr that he recovered in the end zone with 5:09 to play for a 36-13 lead.
Carr was 24 of 32 for 261 yards and two scores, including the final touchdown to Renfrow. A late first-half drive got the Raiders within 13-10 before the wheels came off in the third quarter.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 27: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs with the ball during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 27: Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots runs with the ball during the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) gets a poke in the eye as he closes in to sack New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 27: Bryan Edwards #89 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs with the ball during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes against the New England Patriots in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 27: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots is tackled by Maurice Hurst #73 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) tucks the ball under pressure from New England Patriots defenders Deatrich Wise Jr. (91) and Derek Rivers (95) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 27: Carl Nassib #94 celebrates with Johnathan Abram #24 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 27: Josh Jacobs #28 of the Las Vegas Raiders carries the ball during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 27: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders scrambles during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 27: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs, center, runs with the ball against the New England Patriots in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner, left, tackles New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 27: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks to pass during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 27: Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots throws a pass during the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) passes against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 27: Foster Moreau #87 of the Las Vegas Raiders scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – SEPTEMBER 27: Rex Burkhead #34 of the New England Patriots celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) passes under pressure in the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – SEPTEMBER 27: Rex Burkhead #34 of the New England Patriots goes airborne while scoring a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 27: Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots avoids a tackle by Clelin Ferrell #96 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 27: Jason McCourty #30 of the New England Patriots tackles Bryan Edwards #89 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 27: Rex Burkhead #34 of the New England Patriots runs on his way to scoring a second quarter touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner, left, tackles New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – SEPTEMBER 27: Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots is unable to avoid the tackle of Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 27: Johnathan Abram #24 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates with Carl Nassib #94 after an interception during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
New England Patriots defensive back Adrian Phillips, top, tackles Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 27: Foster Moreau #87 of the Las Vegas Raiders scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 27: Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots throws a pass during the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) hands off to running back Josh Jacobs (28) in the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 27: Jonathan Jones #31 of the New England Patriots tackles Hunter Renfrow #13 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 27: Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots throws a pass during the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
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“What did you expect, for New England to roll over after what happened last week?,” Carr said of the Patriots’ loss to Seattle. “They’re going to come in here guns blazing. Coach said it all week, they’re going to bring their best game, and we’d better bring ours. And we didn’t play our best game.”
Highs, lows and all you need to know on the Raiders’ Week 3 game against New England:
Red zone woes and third down misery: After being sharp in the red zone through two weeks, the Raiders had one touchdowns in four possessions inside the 20-yard line. They were 3 for 9 on third downs.
Coach Jon Gruden said the Raiders weren’t putting themselves in advantageous down-and-distance, which is the lifeblood of their offense.
“Credit New England,” Gruden said. “You get behind in the sticks, you have a lot of third downs against the Patriots, they’ve proven over the years they’re pretty good. They’ve got a lot of talented secondary people.”
Taking the points: Carlson’s 25-yard field goal got the Raiders within 23-13 on their fourth red zone trip. On third-and-7 from the New England 9-yard line, Carr found no receivers open and threw to Jalen Richard for 2 yards to the 7-yard line. Gruden took the points trailing by 13 points rather than going for a touchdown.
On second-and-8 with New England at its own 16, cornerback Nevin Lawson was called for defensive holding for a Patriots first down. New England continued on for an 86-yard scoring drive.
“We made it 23-13. We pinned ’em back. We had ’em second and long,” Gruden said. “We had a penalty on our secondary. It was a two-possession game, and I don’t regret it.”
Instead, New England scored to make it 29-13, missed the extra point, then made it 36-20 a short time later on the sack-fumble-touchdown by Wise.
Running it up: New England’s ability to get yards consistently on the ground after the Raiders missed on a scoring attempt to open the third quarter. Michel broke loose on a 38-yard run and the Patriots drove 69 yards in seven plays for a 20-10 lead with 6:41 left in the third quarter.
Burkhead did the honors with a 5-yard scoring run for his second touchdown.
“We’ve got to be in our gaps, do our jobs, make tackles and we’re not doing a good enough job of that right now,” Crosby said.
The Patriots made it 23-10 with 1:28 in the fourth quarter on Folk’s 32-yard field goal Michel’s 48-run got that drive rolling.
Coming up empty: The Raiders got themselves in position to lead or tie to open the second half, only to have Carlson miss a 41-yard field goal attempt wide left. It was his first miss after five in a row through two games.
“We fumbled the ball in the red zone. We missed a field goal that we should make. We can’t stop the run in the second half,” Gruden said. “There’s some issues that add up to a loss.”
The big play was a 34-yard hookup from Carr to Bryan Edwards, but a forced second-down pass to Waller from the New England 22 and a pressured dumpoff to Jalen Richard for no gain brought about the field goal attempt.
Edwards injured an ankle on the play and did not return. The Raiders were already without Henry Ruggs III, their other starting rookie wide receiver.
Big-time answer: The Raiders have been anything but a quick-strike offense through two weeks. Then trailing 13-3 with 34 seconds left in the half, they went 75 yards in four plays to score on a 1-yard pass from Carr to Moreau in 28 seconds.
With no choice but to go downfield, Carr threw deep to Nelson Agholor, who drew a 28-yard pass interference call on reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore. Gilmore clearly hooked Agholor’s arm on the play.
Two plays later, Carr found Renfrow against double coverage, and the second-year receiver tumbled in to the end zone with an apparent touchdown. Not quite. A replay review correctly placed the ball at the 1.
Carr then play-faked and tossed to a wide open Moreau for the score.
The drive negated an 86-yard, 12-play Patriots drive that took 5:04 off the clock and concluded with Newton’s 11-yard scoring pass to Burkhead.
Where’s Waller?: After 16 targets and 12 receptions Monday night, tight end Darren Waller didn’t have a single pass come his way in the first half. The Patriots were mixing their coverages, with Gilmore, Joejuan Williams and others contributing.
Waller didn’t make his first catch until 4:07 remained and the Raiders trailed by 23 points.
Waller’s absence had a lot to do with New England making it their defensive mission to keep him under control, and also with the Raiders missing opportunities when he was open.
Abram with a pick on a tough day: Johnathan Abram set up the Raiders’ first score with an interception of Newton which was brought about by a pressure from defensive lineman Clelin Ferrell.
However, an illegal man downfield penalty by Denzelle Good erased a first down inside the 5 and the Raiders were forced to settle for a 29-yard field goal from Carlson within the final minute of the first quarter.
It gave the Raiders the lead, but wasn’t a great return on a possession which began at the New England 14 after Abram’s 24-yard return.
Overall, Abram had a rough game, missing a number of open field tackles.
FUUUMBLE!: Josh Jacobs lost a fumble on a second-and-5 carry and the Raiders at the Patriots 12-yard line it was recovered by JC Jackson. The Raiders in the first two games of the season had no such issues in the red zone. Carr had completed 3 of 3 passes for 54 yards on the drive.
“We’ve got to work on red zone execution and not beat ourselves in certain situations,” Jacobs said. “This week I’m going to come in at practice and over-emphasize trying to protect the ball. It’s a learning expeirence, something that bugs me though.”
Jacobs had appeared to recover his own fumble on the play. Even CBS analyst Gene (index card) Stereatore seemed to think so on the broadcast.
Jacobs finished with 71 yards on 16 carries.
Masked man: Gruden, after being fined $100,000 for failing to adhere to NFL mask protocol, found a black mask to his liking and any time spent without it appeared minimal.
Penalties return: The Raiders went their first two games with six penalties and no pre-snap violations. That ended on their first possession when rookie left guard John Simpson was called for a false start. Maxx Crosby followed with a fourth-and-3 neutral zone infraction on a would-be punt that allowed the Patriots to retain possession. Crosby sacked Newton later in the drive to force a punt.
The Raiders finished with six penalties for 45 yards to two for 33 for the Patriots.
