Patriots 45, Raiders 17

 

Oh, we're so fucking back, baby! Yesterday, the resurgent New England Patriots (3-2) crushed the Oakland Las Vegas Raiders, 45-17, in a demonstration of raw power    

The Patriots scored 17 points on their first three possessions. Running back Corey Kiner fumbled on the fourth possession, but then the Pats scored on five off their next six possessions until they ran the clock out on their final possession.

Drake Maye had 374 yards passing yards, most in the NFL yesterday, and 25 yards on the ground. He had 26 completions on 34 attempts for four TDs and no INTs.  He finished the game with a 150.9 QB rating, best on the day in the NFL. Yesterday, no one in the league was better than Maye.

As for his receivers, DeMario Douglas (65 yards) had two TDs, Kyle Williams (91 yards) had one, and Hunter Henry (44 yards) caught a TD pass, too. Rhamondre Stevenson led the Patriots with 64 yards on the ground and one TD, and Kiner finished with 52 yards despite the fumble. Drake Maye actually edged out TreVeyon Henderson in total rushing yards, 25 to 22, and ran in one TD himself.

Despite concerns about his recovery from an injury, former Georgia Bulldog Brock Bowers had 110 yards receiving for the Raiders yesterday, including a first-quarter TD. That's about all these is to say about "highlights" for Las Vegas. 

Buffalo has a Monday-night game tonight against the Rams, so the standings in the AFC East aren't meaningful until after they play. Which is to say, right at this moment, the Bills are 3-1 (.750) and the Pats are 3-2 (.600), so Buffalo's in first place. Should they win tonight, they'll still lead the division, but should they lose, they move into a 3-2 tie with New England and the Patriots will be in first place because they beat Buffalo last weekend and currently have the tie-breaker. So I guess we're all Matthew Stafford fans tonight, unless, of course, the Rams decide to finally put in the Mailman, former Bulldog QB Stetson Bennett IV, who's only seen very limited play so far this season.

Next weekend, the Patriots will host the New York Jets (2-3). The Patriots will win. The only former Bulldog playing for the Jets is wide receiver Arian Smith, who's out on injured reserve with a torn ACL. The Patriots are currently seven-point favorites.