Drake Maye led the New England Patriots to a 45-17 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, a game that featured the NFL debut of top draft pick Fernando Mendoza. The Sunday matchup featured early-season vulnerabilities for the Raiders while putting the Patriots at a 3-2 record.
Drake Maye Dominates Through the Air and on the Ground
New England quarterback Drake Maye delivered a commanding performance, completing 26 of 34 pass attempts for 374 yards without throwing an interception. Maye also contributed 25 rushing yards, accounting for five total touchdowns in the blowout. He connected on four scoring passes, finding DeMario Douglas for two touchdowns while Kyle Williams and Hunter Henry each hauled in one. A fifth score came on the ground as Maye scrambled past the Las Vegas defense.
Fernando Mendoza Steps Onto the Field for the Raiders
With the Raiders trailing by nearly 30 points entering the final quarter, head coach Klint Kubiak inserted Fernando Mendoza into the contest. The 2026 NFL Draft’s number one overall pick saw his first regular-season action, manufacturing several important plays during his debut appearance. Despite the late-game insertion, the Raiders could not recover from the offensive onslaught mounted by Maye and the Patriots.
Standings Implications After Week 5
The defeat drops Las Vegas to their second loss of the young season, ending the early momentum they built over the opening weeks. Even with the setback, the Raiders retain a winning record and hold an above-500 mark as they look ahead to Week 6.
Next Steps for Las Vegas
The Raiders return to the practice field to correct mistakes from both the Patriots game and previous weeks. The team prepares for its Week 6 matchup, where they will attempt to secure their fourth win of the campaign and put the challenges against New England and Kansas City behind them.
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