Patriots vs Raiders Game Preview

The Patriots and Raiders will face off Sunday afternoon. The storylines write themselves as Josh McDaniels will go against his teacher Bill Belichick for the second time in the NFL. How will the Raiders respond from a tough loss against the Rams? The Patriots are coming off a much-needed Monday Night win against the Cardinals. The Patriots own the seventh playoff spot, but much could change on Sunday.

I go into everything you need to know, including fast facts, former players, who should win each matchup, quotes from the opponent, where to watch, and more. Follow along for coverage on Twitter @Thepatriotsbeat. Let’s dive in.

Quick hits

* The Patriots will play their first game in Las Vegas on Sunday. New England has won the last six regular season games against the Raiders.

* The Patriots hold an 18-14-1 lead in the regular season against the Raiders and a 2-1 postseason record against the Raiders.

*There are 21 former Patriots on the Raiders roster, which is the most in the NFL. Furthermore, the Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler and Head coach Josh McDaniels used to be involved in the Patriots organization.

*Bill Belichick has won at least one game in 50 stadiums, including the postseason. The only two current stadiums where he hasn’t recorded a win are Allegiant Stadium and U.S. Bank Stadium. Belichick will have a chance to add to that list with a win this week when the Patriots face Las Vegas. Chiefs coach Andy Reid is second, winning games in 43 different stadiums.

*Devin McCourty needs one more takeaway to tie Ty Law for third place with the most takeaways in Patriots history (40).

*Matthew Judon needs four sacks to tie Andre Tippett’s 18.5 sacks in one season, which leads franchise history.

*If Tyquan Thornton has a rushing touchdown this week, he will become the first rookie wide receiver with two rushing touchdowns.

*Josh Uche had a three-sack performance in Glendale last week. The last Patriots player with back-to-back three-sack games was (also) Tippett in 1987.

*Rhamondre Stevenson has a career-high 58 receptions, third in the NFL among all running backs.

Raiders running back Josh Jacobs leads all running backs with missed tackles (79).

*Quarterbacks facing the Raiders have a 105.8 passer rating. That is the third worst among all teams.

Connections

Former Patriots

General Manager: Dave Ziegler

HC: Josh McDaniels

OL Coach: Carmen Bricillo

Ast OL Coach: Cameron Clemmons

Def. coordinator: Patrick Graham

QB Coach: Bo Hardegree

Ofc. coordinator: Mick Lombardi

Snr Def Ast.: Rob Ryan

Snr Ofc Ast.: Jerry Schuplinski

RB: Brandon Bolden

RB: Tashawn Bower

OL: Jermain Eluemunor

S: Jalen Elliott

S: Duron Harmon

TE: Jacob Hollister

OL: Justin Herron

FB: Jakob Johnson

DL: Chandler Jones

WR: Chris Lacy

QB: Jarrett Stidham

WR: Isaiah Zuber

Former Raiders

WR: Nelson Agholor

OL: Trent Brown

LB: Raekwon McMillan

Who has the advantage?

When the Patriots run: Raiders

The Patriots found success in the running game early in the season but have struggled the last four weeks. That could be partially due to the injuries on the offensive line. Last week it wasn’t much better as Rhamondre Stevenson exited the game due to an ankle injury. Stevenson leads all Patriots running backs with 742 rushing yards, 4.5 yards per rush. Stevenson also helps in the passing game, as he’s caught 58 receptions for 385 yards. Starting running back Damien Harris hasn’t been healthy this season, only playing nine games, and will be inactive Sunday due to his hamstring injury. The 24-year-old has 383 yards on the season. Stevenson is questionable, but if he can’t suit up, it will be the rookie running backs leading the group, just like last week. Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong Jr. combined for 96 yards last week in Glendale. As a unit, the Patriots are running for 104.5 yards a game which is 23rd in the league. The Raiders have done well stopping the run, as they ranked ninth in the league, allowing 110.5 rushing yards per game, and seventh, allowing 4.2 yards per carry.

When the Raiders run: Raiders

The Patriots had trouble stopping the run in Arizona last week as they let running back James Conner, average 6 yards a carry. They have another tall task this week as they will go up against the NFL yardage leader Josh Jacobs. Jacobs has 1,402 yards on 269 carries, averaging 5.2 yards a carry, and has five scores. The Patriots have stopped elite running backs before this season, such as Nick Chubb, Dalvin Cook, and Najee Harris. Jacobs is dealing with a finger injury and is questionable to play, as he’s been limited in practice this week. The 24-year-old has been dominant, as he’s had at least 100 yards in three of the last four games. Belichick has to devise a game plan that helps stop Jacobs while also showing attention to the passing attack. The Patriots have done a good job at controlling the line of scrimmage, with Lawrence Guy, Davon Godchaux, and Deatrich Wise defending the gaps and not letting the opposing offensive line set the edge. They have to continue their success as the Raiders are averaging 5.1 yards per carry while the Patriots are allowing 4.2 yards per rush, eighth in the league.

When the Patriots pass: Patriots

After finding their groove against Minnesota, the Patriots’ passing attack hasn’t been nearly as efficient. However, they have a good chance to get back on track as the Raiders’ secondary hasn’t been strong this season, allowing 254.5 passing yards a game, 29th in the league, and 7.2 yards per attempt, 28th in the league. Patriots former defensive back Duron Harmon starts at safety for Las Vegas and joins a secondary of Nate Hobbs, Sam Webb, Tre’Von Moehring and Amik Robertson. The Raiders have seen their defense collapse at times during the season due to its inexperienced players. Meanwhile, the Patriots have already ruled out DeVante Parker, who suffered a concussion last week, and list Jakobi Meyers and Rhamondre Stevenson as questionable. Meyers didn’t play against the Cardinals due to his head injury against the Bills. This game could provide an opportunity for rookie Tyquan Thornton and veterans Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor to have a breakout game. Agholor used to play for the Raiders, which could provide extra motivation for the wideout. The Patriots offensive line has constantly struggled but still ranks in the top ten in most projections. The Raiders’ pass rush has been in the middle of the league, led by Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby. Crosby has 11.5 sacks on the year, while Jones has 4.5. The Patriots should be able to attack the secondary, especially if Meyers is active.

When the Raiders pass: Raiders

The Raiders will be getting back key offensive starters, as they activated Darren Waller and Hunter Renfroe off the injured reserve. However, the team hasn’t announced whether they will be active. In place of Darren Waller, Foster Moreau and Mack Hollins have performed well. When the Raiders pass and run well, they are one of the best teams in the league, but Derek Carr has been inconsistent at times this season. Carr has thrown for 3,117 yards, completing 62% of his passes, and thrown 20 touchdowns against interceptions. Devante Adams is Carr’s favorite target, as he’s caught 82 passes for 1,247 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Patriots had trouble stopping Adams in the preseason and joint practices, and without Jalen Mills, Adams could have had a big performance. On paper, this should be the best matchup for the Raiders. However, the Patriots’ pass rush has been elite this season and is now second in sacks. Led by Matthew Judon and Josh Uche, the pass rush has been a force all season long, and the Raiders’ offensive line hasn’t been great. The Patriots need to get to the quarterback fast on Sunday, as the receivers will overpower the Patriots’ secondary.

Special teams: Raiders

Nick Folk had a bounce-back game in Arizona, as he is now 27/32 on FGs this season. Last week he had a 51-yarder to end the first half, which was a testament to show he can still hit big field goals. The Raiders have one of the best kickers in the game, Daniel Carlson. Carlson has connected on 28 of 31 field goal attempts and has only missed one field goal under 50 yards. Marcus Jones returns for New England and has been impeccable, while the Raiders have struggled in the return game. D.J. Turner returns punts while Ameer Abdullah handles kicking duties. For the Raiders, A.J. Cole has been strong in the punt game averaging 50 yards a punt, while the Patriots have not been as effective. Michael Palardy averaged 43.2 yards a punt. The Raiders have a slight edge with special teams but not by much.

Senior coaching staff

New England:

Head Coach – Bill Belichick

Senior football advisor/offensive line – Matt Patricia

Offensive assistant/quarterbacks – Joe Judge

Running backs – Vinnie Sunseri

Wide receivers – Troy Brown

Offensive line – Billy Yates

Linebackers – Steve Belichick

Linebackers – Jerod Mayo

Cornerbacks – Mike Pellegrino

Special teams coordinator – Cam Achord

Las Vegas:

Head Coach – Josh McDaniels

Offesnive coordinator – Mick Lombardi

Quarterbacks – Bo Hardegree

Running backs – Kennedy Polamalu

Offesnive line – Carmen Bricillo

Defensive coordinator – Patrick Graham

Defesnive line – Frank Okam

Linebackers -Antonio Pierce

Defensive backs -Chris Ash

Special teams coordinator – Tom McMahon

Injury Report

Key:

DNP: Did not participate in practice

LP: Limited participation in practice

FP: Full participation in practice

NL: Not listed

Raiders:

OUT

G Alex Bars, Knee (DNP)

CB Rock Ya-Sin, Knee (DNP)

DOUBTFUL

N/A

QUESTIONABLE

T Jackson Barton, Back (LP)

DT Andrew Billings, Fibula (LP)

G/T Jermaine Eluemunor, Oblique/Wrist (LP)

RB Josh Jacobs, Quad/Hand (LP)

LB Denzel Perryman, Hip (LP)

Patriots:

OUT

CB Jalen Mills, Groin (DNP)

WR DeVante Parker, Concussion (DNP)

OL Isaiah Wynn, Foot (DNP)

RB Damien Harris, Thigh (LP)

DOUBTFUL

N/A

QUESTIONABLE

T Yodny Cajuste, Calf/Back (LP)

LS Joe Cardona, Ankle (FP)

CB Jack Jones, Knee (LP)

WR Jakobi Meyers, Concussion (LP)

RB Rhamondre Stevenson, Ankle (LP)

Latest Patriots transactions

12/16 Patriots signed free agent LS Tucker Addington

12/16 Patriots released OL Hunter Thedford.

Game Officials

Head Referee – Ronald Torbert (8th) season in the NFL and 14th as head official

Weather Forcast

Partly cloudy skies. High near 50F. Winds light and variable.

Broadcast information

per patriots.com

TELEVISION: This week’s game will be broadcast by FOX and can be seen locally on WFXT-TV Channel 25. Kenny Albert will handle play-by-play duties with Jonathan Vilma as the color analyst. Shannon Spake will provide analysis from the sidelines. The game will be produced by Fran Morison and directed by Bryan Lilley.

NATIONAL RADIO: This week’s game will be broadcast by ESPN Radio. Marc Kestecher will handle play-by-play duties with Kirk Morrison as the color analyst.

LOCAL RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub is the flagship station for the Patriots Radio Network. A complete listing of the network’s 33 stations can be found here. The television broadcast will simulcast the game on the radio during the preseason.

Follow me on Twitter @Thepatriotsbeat to follow the latest updates around the league and how they impact the Patriots’ playoff chances.

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