Raiders Opponent: Top Patriots Storylines
The Las Vegas Raiders aim for a second straight victory as they host the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon.
This is a massive opportunity for the Raiders to string two wins together and build momentum against a Patriots team that has struggled mightily this season.
While Coach Josh McDaniels does not care for the ‘reunion game’ narrative, he and several other current Raiders will face their former team, including quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers.
It is rare to see the Patriots in their current position, as they are just 1-4 and have the lowest-scoring offense in the NFL. They will enter a challenging Allegiant Stadium environment and face a Raiders team with lots of confidence.
Let’s look at some top storylines surrounding the game between the Raiders and the Patriots.
Quarterback Controversy? - The biggest storyline surrounding the Patriots has been the play of quarterback Mac Jones.
Engineering an offense scoring just 11 points per game and leading the NFL with eight turnovers, there have been calls for Jones to be benched in favor of backup quarterback Bailey Zappe. Offensive Coordinator Bill O’Brien said he still envisions Jones as the starter.
However, if Jones continues to struggle, the calls for Zappe will only grow louder and more frequently. Jones will have to improve his play to keep his starting job.
Patriots have not replaced Meyers - Meyers is having an excellent season with the Raiders.
After signing a three-year, $33 million contract from New England in the offseason, Meyers has emerged as a top receiving option with 25 receptions for 274 yards and three touchdowns.
The Patriots have not recouped the production from losing Meyers, which has been an issue for their offense. They hope to activate Tyquan Thornton, whose 21-day window recently opened, off of injured reserve.
The return of Thornton could be a shot in the arm for an offense that has not found a consistent receiving threat.
Missing Key Defenders - The Patriots suffered major blows when they lost star rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez for the season and linebacker Matt Judon for significant time.
Gonzalez named Defensive Rookie of the Month for September, was excellent through the first four games of his career. Judon, a four-time Pro Bowler, had already recorded six sacks on the season.
The Patriots’ defense has held up well, but they must sustain that play without two-star defenders.
The Silver and Black will stay home at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to play the New England Patriots on Sunday, Oct. 15, at 4:05 p.m. EDT/1:05 p.m. PDT.
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