Aunque en los primeros dos partidos de la temporada fueron muy disciplinados, los Raiders batallaron con castigos y lesiones en la derrota ante los New England Patriots por marcador de 20-36. Es la primera derrota del Plata y Negro en la temporada 2020 en la cual el equipo fue superado en tiempo de posesión con la ofensiva contraria manteniendo control del balón durante 35 minutos, acumulando 250 yardas terrestres sumado a 40 yardas cedidas por los Raiders en seis castigos.
Esas estadísticas resumen el desenlace del partido, por lo que Gruden reconoció que la defensiva en contra de la corrida necesita mejorar en lo consiguiente.
"Obviamente fallamos en algunos derribes y un par de jugadores fuera de posición," dijo Gruden. "Eso no funciona en contra de los New England Patriots, no en contra de quien sea."
Maxx Crosby retomó su habito de afectar el ataque aéreo al capturar en dos ocasiones a Cam Newton. Crosby atribuye la falta de disciplina al porque la joven defensiva tuvo problemas en contra de los Patriots.
"Solo tenemos que estar en posición, hacer nuestro trabajo y lograr derribes," dijo Crosby. "No estamos haciendo buen trabajo en eso en este momento."
Crosby también reconoció que la defensiva esta madurando y está ansioso de que logren su máximo potencial como grupo.
"Es temprano en la temporada. Estamos tratando de acoplarnos y pensamos que era un partido que se podía ganar. Estábamos en una buena situación y no logramos el cometido así que tenemos que mejorar. Sin excusas."
La defensiva También tuvo sus buenos momentos en la primera mitad cuando Johnathan Abram registró su primera intercepción que ayudó a que los Raiders conectaran un gol de campo jugadas después. Abram es otro jugador que esta lidiando con lesiones después de lastimarse el hombro en el partido en contra de los Saints.
A pesar de las lesiones y errores en contra de los Patriots, Gruden confía en que el joven equipo se preparará en forma para enfrentar a los invictos Buffalo Bills en Las Vegas la próxima semana.
"Tenemos que revisar bien el reporte medico y ver quien podrá jugar," dijo Gruden. "Me agrada nuestro equipo. Sobresalieron en ocasiones hoy. No fue perfecto. Cometí muchos errores, pero me agrada nuestro equipo."
"Me gusta como se esfuerzan; la forma en que terminan. Solo tenemo que jugar mejor en ciertas situaciones."
View photos from the Raiders' Week 3 matchup against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Keisean Nixon (22) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton (42) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders guard Gabe Jackson (66), quarterback Derek Carr (4) and center Rodney Hudson (61) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders tackle Brandon Parker (75) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) and linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jason Witten (82) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton (42) and cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton (42), defensive tackle Daniel Ross (93) and safety Johnathan Abram (24) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton (42) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Raekwon McMillan (54) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

The Las Vegas Raiders huddle during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders guard John Simpson (76), tackle Kolton Miller (74), center Rodney Hudson (61), wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) and wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.