Week 5 was supposed to be a gimme for the Patriots.
But the 3-1 Raiders have been one of the biggest surprise stories in the NFL.
Here’s what we’re watching in Sunday’s matchup between the Patriots and Raiders.
• Let’s start off big picture. Which Patriots team shows up? Because the Patriots who beat the Bills, 29-26, in Week 4 looked like a completely different team than the one that began the season 1-2 with losses to the Seahawks and Jaguars. If it’s the same team we saw in Buffalo, then they should win this game handily. But first they must prove that performance wasn’t a one week aberration.
• Are the Raiders for real? It’s worth noting that, yes, the Raiders are 3-1. Yes, they have a 31-point differential through four weeks, and yes, they almost beat the undefeated Chiefs in Week 4. But their strength of victory is just .083 (yes, you read that right) with wins over the 0-4 Dolphins, 0-4 Chargers and 1-3 Saints.
• Can Drake Maye avoid turnovers? The Patriots QB has thrown seven interceptions and lost two fumbles through the first four weeks of the season. Meanwhile, the Raiders lead the NFL with nine takeaways, and they’ve forced 10 fumbles this season. That seems like bad news for a quarterback with a tendency to fumble. Six of Maye’s interceptions were squarely his fault. His pick on Sunday against the Bills was flukey. He threw low to wide receiver Romeo Doubs, but it was unlucky for Doubs to hit the ground, roll, lose the ball and have it pop into a defender’s arms.
• Can the Patriots replicate their success vs. tight ends? One of the most surprising aspects of Week 4 was the Patriots’ ability to limit top Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid to one catch on two targets for seven yards. Dawson Knox had just two catches for 13 yards. It feels unlikely that the Patriots can do the same against Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, but if they can, then it will be difficult for Las Vegas to find a way to win.
• Can the Patriots’ tackles slow down Maxx Crosby? They held Greg Rousseau to no sacks in Week 4, which was a major accomplishment, even though left tackle Will Campbell had a down week, giving up six pressures, per Pro Football Focus. Right tackle Morgan Moses was much better in Week 4 than he was in Week 3, when he suffered a foot injury. Crosby usually rushes from the defensive left, which would pit him against Moses.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby rushes against the New England Patriots during an NFL game at Gillette Stadium last season in Foxboro. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
• Can the run game gain some consistency? Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson are both averaging just 3.7 yards per carry on the season. Stevenson, who’s dealing with a knee injury, has been the more consistent back, while Henderson has the biggest play — a 39-yard carry. Neither player has been good enough, and the offensive line needs to work on opening bigger holes. The Raiders’ defense is sixth in rushing EPA and 13th in rushing success rate so far this season. Third-stringer Corey Kiner also could be counted on for a bigger role this week. It doesn’t help that Reggie Giliam is out with ankle and knee injuries.
• How big of a role does Efton Chism III play? Chism was [the star of last week’s win](https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/10/09/patriots-wr-efton-chism-embraces-role-that-bills-safety-mocked/), catching the game-winning pass one-handed late in the fourth quarter. With Mack Hollins dealing with a calf injury, Chism could wind up starting alongside Romeo Doubs and DeMario Douglas. And if Chism can impress this week, then it could open up a bigger role for him throughout the season.
• Can the Patriots get anything out of Kyle Williams? Williams is a big-play threat, but he’s caught just two passes on seven targets for 44 yards through four games. Depleted at wide receiver, the Patriots could use one of those big plays this week.
• Can the backup cornerbacks get the job done? Starting cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez (shoulder) and Carlton Davis III (neck) and rookie backups Channing Canada (hamstring) and Karon Prunty (hamstring) are all out. That leaves Marcus Jones, Charles Woods and practice squadders Kindle Vildor and Al’Zillion Hamilton as the only healthy cornerbacks. Ultimately, it’s a good week to be down a couple cornerbacks. The Raiders’ wide receiver corps might be the weakest in the NFL, and the Raiders rely heavily on two tight end sets with Bowers and Michael Mayer. Get ready to see a lot of three-safety sets with Craig Woodson, Kevin Byard and Jaylen Reed on the field together.
• Will Gabe Jacas and Elijah Ponder continue to improve? The Patriots don’t need to worry about keeping Kirk Cousins in the pocket like they had to last week against Josh Allen. So, that should allow Jacas and Ponder to play in an attacking, aggressive style. They’ll face off against Kolton Miller and DJ Glaze.