3 things the Patriots have to do to beat the Raiders
The Patriots stayed alive in the playoff race after an upset victory over the Bills and now sit 3-2, but they must win again on Sunday to keep the momentum. A win against the Raiders would extend their streak and improve their record while avoiding the turnover trouble that has plagued them – New England has already surrendered the ball ten times, the league’s worst tie, and the Raiders rank first with nine takeaways (four interceptions and five fumble recoveries).
quarterback Drake Maye’s recent two giveaways were less costly than his earlier mistakes, and limiting further errors will be crucial against a team that thrives on short fields.
Defensively, New England will need to contain the Raiders’ aggressive edge rush, led by Maxx Crosby, who was the subject of a high‑profile trade talk involving two first‑round picks. Alongside Crosby, defensive ends Malcolm Koonce and Kwity Paye pose a threat to the Patriots’ offensive line, so coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels must find ways to protect tackles Will Campbell and Morgan Moses, perhaps by shifting pressure inside or using chip and double‑team schemes.
