It’s honestly a wonder the Raiders now sit at .500. After losing three straight, they have put two wins together to pull to 3-3 on the season. Even though the offense has yet to score even 20 points in a game.
They have won their three games by a combined nine points with the offense topping out at 19 points on the season. Much of that is a factor of playing a few truly horrible teams with their wins coming against teams with just four wins combined.
But, hey, you beat the team in front of you and a win is a win. So, let’s look at this week’s best and worst performances, shall we.
Ballers
DE Maxx Crosby
Crosby wasn’t perfect in this game. His big mistake was a terrible roughing the passer penalty that set up the Patriots’ second TD which pulled them to within a field goal of the win. But when the Raiders needed him most, he once again stepped up and proved he is the glue holding this team together.
With the Patriots in third and 15 in the shadow of their own end zone, Crosby got into the backfield to sack Mac Jones for a safety and end the game. That makes up for any number of mistakes Crosby had before that.
And let’s not act like he was actually bad before that play. He was still the engine of that defense. He tied for the team lead with seven tackles and got to the quarterback at least twice along with a batted pass. He was the primary factor in at least three Patriots stalled drives, including getting a pressure that helped lead to the Pats only turnover.
DT Bilal Nichols
Crosby was credited for half the sack for a safety because Nichols came up the gut as well.
TE Michael Mayer
It was the coming out party for the Raiders’ second round rookie. Coming into the game he had just three catches on the season. He had that on the team’s first drive. The first three catches of the game went to Mayer for a total of 35 yards. Two of those catches were on third down and they went for an opening drive field goal.
The second scoring drive saw Mayer make a catch and break several tackles to pick up 32 yards on third and six. That drive went for a touchdown.
In the third quarter, Mayer had a seven-yard catch on third and seven that put the Raiders at the 11-yard-line, leading to a short field goal and a 16-10 lead,
WR Jakobi Meyers
Meyers played well against his former team, catching five passes for 61 yards and the Raiders’ only touchdown. Two plays before that, he made a six-yard catch on third and five to keep the drive alive and set his team up at the 13-yard-line.
Just prior to half time, Meyers had catches of 14 and 16 yards to put them in range of a short field goal and a 13-3 lead.
S Tre’von Moehrig
His big play was the interception late in the second quarter. The Patriots were driving and were in scoring range until Mac Jones rolled out right and lobbed a gift wrapped ball for Moehrig. The Raiders would score off the turnover just before the half.
Moehrig had a stellar game overall though. He only gave up one catch for seven yards in the game. He also made a run stuff at the line on first and goal from the three and later had a tackle on a catch for minimal gain.
Honorable Mention
K Daniel Carlson — scored 12 of the Raiders 21 points all on short field goals.
WR Tre Tucker — Had the longest completion in the game on a 48-yard bomb from Brian Hoyer to lead off the second half.
DT John Jenkins — Started a three-and-out in the third quarter with a sack that allowed the Raiders to score six unanswered points after the Patriots had pulled to within three.