David Butler II-Imagn Images
Oct 12, 2026 11:45 PM
The New England Patriots were clicking on all cylinders in a 45-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. We review our biggest takeaways from the blowout victory on today’s episode of the Patriots Roundtable Podcast.
The autumn wind wasn’t so favorable for the Las Vegas Raiders (3-2) when they stormed the country to take on the New England Patriots (3-2) at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.
New England was red-hot — and it wasn’t just their uniforms. An offensive explosion and stifling defense lifted the Patriots early and continued late in a wire-to-wire dominant effort over Las Vegas, resulting in a lopsided 45-17 win and a career-day for quarterback Drake Maye.
On today’s episode of the Patriots Roundtable Podcast, hosts Eddie Marotta and Tyler Geis review their biggest takeaways from New England’s most complete performance of the 2026 regular season to date — detailing Maye’s brilliance, highlighting key performances from unlikely stars, and projecting the lasting ramifications of a win of this caliber.
Maye’s pocket presence, patience, and decision-making were all strengths on Sunday, and were only bested by his execution.
By the game’s end, he completed 26-of-34 passes (76.4% completion percentage) with 374 passing yards (11.0 yards per attempt), four touchdowns, a passer rating of 150.9, and an EPA/play of +0.80 — the highest of any NFL quarterback in a single game this season.
It was Maye’s second-career game with 300-plus yards passing, and the first time in his career that he had consecutive games with three passing touchdowns. Maye’s 150.9 passer rating was the third-highest mark of his career, trailing his 157.0 rating against the New York Jets in Week 17 of 2025 and a 155.6 rating against the Carolina Panthers in Week 4 of 2025.
With just four active wide receivers on the roster, DeMario Douglas (four receptions, 65 yards, two touchdowns), Efton Chism III (five receptions, 57 yards), and Kyle Williams (three receptions, 91 yards, one touchdown) each had their moments to shine — and made the most of them.
Spreading the wealth to a variety of pass-catching targets, tight ends Hunter Henry (three receptions, 44 yards, one touchdown) and rookie Eli Raridon (five receptions, 57 yards) also made a lasting impression on the game.
Defensively, the Patriots were set to be severely shorthanded with four cornerbacks ruled out for Sunday. Without Christian Gonzalez (shoulder), Carlton Davis III (neck), Channing Canada (hamstring), or Karon Prunty (hamstring) in the lineup, Charles Woods and Kindle Vildor each played excellent.
Woods was targeted three times in coverage and gave up just one reception for a loss of three yards, registered two pass breakups, and accounted for a passer rating against of 42.4.
Vildor was targeted five times and gave up two receptions for 27 yards, registered one pass breakup, forced one fumble, and accounted for a passer rating against of 57.9.
New England’s trench warriors dominated on both sides of the ball, but Elijah Ponder’s career-high two sacks and the defense’s 38 rushing yards allowed were the highlights at the point of attack.
The Patriots put together their most complete performance of the 2026 regular season on Sunday, and will stay home to host the New York Jets (2-3) at Gillette Stadium in their second AFC East matchup of the fall next weekend.
Who impressed you the most in New England’s blowout win over Las Vegas? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on Patriots Roundtable.
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