Drake Maye leads Patriots to blowout win over Raiders

Doug Kyed, Boston Herald on Oct 11, 2026

Published in Football

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots are officially back on track and should be considered one of the top threats in the AFC after thoroughly dominating the Las Vegas Raiders 45-17 at home on Sunday.

The Raiders entered Week 5 with a better record than the Patriots but were completely overmatched by last year’s AFC champions.

The 3-2 Patriots are now above .500 for the first time this season after consecutive wins over the Buffalo Bills and Raiders.

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye had his best performance since last December, and the defense, despite being down two starting cornerbacks, put the clamps on Raiders QB Kirk Cousins.

The Patriots started strong with a three-and-out on defense with key plays on incompletions by backup cornerbacks Charles Woods and Kindle Vildor, who were filling in for Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III — both out with injuries.

The offense got the Patriots out to an early 7-0 lead with a 35-yard touchdown pass from Maye to a wide-open DeMario Douglas.

The Raiders quickly tied it up with 6-foot-4 tight end Brock Bowers dominating 5-foot-8 cornerback Marcus Jones with two catches for 37 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown.

The Patriots continued their scoring ways with a 5-yard touchdown run from Rhamondre Stevenson. Maye began the game a near-perfect 6 of 7 for 85 yards while drawing two defensive pass interference penalties.

Woods forced a punt with a pass breakup on third down, defending a target from Cousins to wide receiver Cody White.

The Patriots were forced to punt on their ensuing drive. Both left tackle Will Campbell and running back TreVeyon Henderson departed for the locker room during the series with potential injuries. The Raiders were forced to punt, as well, after outside linebacker Elijah Ponder sacked Cousin on third down.

The Raiders quickly took possession back from the Patriots. Third-string running back Corey Kiner coughed up the ball and lost a fumble on his first touch of the game, giving the Raiders the ball at the Patriots’ 38-yard line. The Patriots’ defense held them to a 49-yard field goal attempt, which hit off the left upright and fell no good.

The Patriots then completed a double score on each side of halftime. Maye led the offense on a five-play, 61-yard drive that culminated with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Henry. Coming out of halftime, Maye completed a four-play, 61-yard drive with a 34-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Williams. That was his third passing TD of the game.

After the two teams traded punts, the Raiders kicked a 46-yard field goal to cut the Patriots’ lead to 28-10.

The Patriots increased their lead once again with Maye rushing for a 3-yard score after being assisted by some Raiders penalties on the nine-play, 71-yard drive.

Patriots safety Craig Woodson recovered a fumble by Bowers that was forced by Kevin Byard to give the offense the ball back. The Patriots increased their lead to 38-10 with a 28-yard field goal from Andy Borregales.

The Raiders cut the Patriots’ lead to 38-17 with a touchdown run from Dylan Laube to start the fourth quarter.

Maye pushed the Patriots to 45 points with his fifth touchdown of the game, this one an 8-yarder to Douglas.

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