Los Raiders de Las Vegas sufrieron su segunda derrota consecutiva al caer 45-17 ante los Patriotas de Nueva Inglaterra. A diferencia de su anterior tropiezo frente a Kansas City, esta vez los Malosos nunca lograron meterse de lleno en el partido y llegaron al último cuarto con una desventaja considerable, sin encontrar respuestas para frenar el ataque rival ni establecer un ritmo constante a la ofensiva.
"Es un partido del que tenemos que pasar la página muy rápido", aseguró el entrenador en jefe Klint Kubiak. "Tenemos todo por delante como equipo. No estamos contentos con lo que pasó hoy y tenemos que hacer algo al respecto. Tenemos que corregirlo y seguir adelante. No podemos permitir que este partido nos derrote dos veces".
Las dificultades comenzaron desde las primeras series ofensivas. Las Vegas se fue de tres y fuera en dos de sus primeras tres series. Mientras tanto, los Patriotas aprovecharon sus oportunidades para tomar el control del encuentro y construir una ventaja que los Raiders nunca pudieron amenazar seriamente.
El marcador favorecía 14-7 a Nueva Inglaterra en los minutos finales del segundo cuarto cuando los Raiders, que ya estaban en territorio rival, intentaron sorprender con una jugada de engaño que terminó en un acarreo de Tre Tucker para una pérdida de 11 yardas. La jugada frenó el avance de Las Vegas y convirtió una posición favorable para intentar un gol de campo en una oportunidad mucho más complicada para Matt Gay.
"Cuando señalas ciertas jugadas que pueden llevar a un resultado complicado, esa es sin duda una de ellas", es como el mariscal de campo Kirk Cousins reconoció que esa jugada fue uno de los momentos clave del encuentro. "Hubo otras, pero sientes esa tensión en cada jugada, porque cualquier acción puede marcar la diferencia, para bien o para mal. Incluso sucede con jugadas que pueden parecer insignificantes para quien observa desde lejos. Esa fue una de esas jugadas que te hacen pensar: '¿Pudo haber sido diferente el partido?'. Pero, sin duda, hubo más factores".
Poco después, Gay intentó un gol de campo de 49 yardas que pegó en el poste izquierdo, lo que representó su primer intento fallido de la temporada. El error dejó a los Patriotas en una posición favorable, cerca del medio campo y con menos de dos minutos en el reloj. Nueva Inglaterra aprovechó la oportunidad para montar una serie ofensiva que terminó en anotación y se fueron al descanso con una ventaja de 21-7, complicando aún más las aspiraciones de los Raiders al dejarlos abajo por múltiples posesiones y la necesidad de encontrar soluciones para la segunda mitad.
Pero el panorama empeoró para Las Vegas al comenzar el tercer cuarto. Drake Maye conectó su tercer pase de anotación del encuentro, uno de los cuatro que lanzó durante el partido, para aumentar la diferencia y poner todavía más presión sobre una ofensiva de los Raiders que no encontraba la manera de responder.
Las tres series ofensivas de Las Vegas en ese parcial no superaron cinco jugadas ni dos minutos de duración. La primera terminó en despeje, la segunda produjo un gol de campo y la tercera concluyó con un balón suelto que le devolvió la posesión a Nueva Inglaterra.
Los Patriotas aprovecharon el dominio del encuentro para seguir aumentando la ventaja hasta colocar el marcador 35-10. Para entonces, los Raiders no solo tenían dificultades para mover el balón, sino que también pagaban caro cada error, ante un rival que encontraba oportunidades para convertir sus posesiones en puntos.
Kirk Cousins terminó con 243 yardas por pase y un envío de anotación, incluyendo 8 de esos pases conectando con Brock Bowers para 110 yardas y una anotación. A pesar de perderse los primeros dos juegos de la temporada, Bowers es el segundo ala cerrada más productivo de la temporada 2026, estando solo 4 yardas por detrás de Sam LaPorta de Detroit.
Desafortunadamente para Las Vegas, permitieron tres capturas de mariscal de campo. Marcando un contraste enorme con las primeras cuatro semanas de la campaña, durante las cuales solo había sido derribado Cousins con el balón apenas cinco veces en total.
Con el partido 45-17 y seis minutos restantes en el reloj, los Raiders enviaron al campo a Fernando Mendoza, quien ingresó para relevar a Cousins y disputar sus primeras jugadas en la NFL.
El mariscal de campo novato completó seis de sus ocho pases para 48 yardas y también consiguió tres yardas por tierra en una jugada de cuarta oportunidad y cuatro por avanzar. La acción terminó con la serie ofensiva de Las Vegas dentro de la zona roja, sin que el equipo pudiera culminar la posesión con puntos.
Aunque su participación llegó cuando el resultado estaba prácticamente definido, Mendoza tuvo la oportunidad de comenzar a familiarizarse con la velocidad y las exigencias del fútbol americano profesional.
"Quería aportar de cualquier manera que pudiera ayudar al equipo", dijo Mendoza. "Me metieron y realmente aprecio a todos mis compañeros, especialmente a algunos de los titulares que seguían jugando, por seguir luchando e intentando ganar hasta el final. Les agradezco a todos por dar su mejor esfuerzo en esa última serie".
La aparición del novato fue uno de los pocos puntos positivos para Las Vegas en un partido en el que la ofensiva tuvo dificultades para sostener series y la defensiva no pudo contener de manera consistente a Maye y compañía.
Después de dos derrotas consecutivas, los Raiders necesitan recuperar el nivel que les permitió comenzar la temporada con tres victorias. El equipo todavía tiene tiempo para corregir el rumbo, pero el resultado en Nueva Inglaterra evidenció la necesidad de mejorar en distintas áreas, especialmente en la consistencia ofensiva y en la capacidad de evitar errores que le permitan al rival tomar el control del encuentro.
"Esto se trata del proceso. Una semana puedes sentir que eres el mejor equipo del mundo y la siguiente puede ser realmente complicada. Pero ese no es este vestidor. Esos no son los jugadores que tenemos", destacó Maxx Crosby sobre la concentración que necesita el equipo. "Se trata de mejorar, y todos vamos a vernos al espejo. Esto requiere de cada uno de nosotros, y tenemos que mejorar".
Los Raiders tendrán la oportunidad de responder ante su afición cuando reciban a los Bills de Buffalo en la Semana 6, en un segundo enfrentamiento consecutivo ante un equipo de la División Este de la Conferencia Americana.
Buffalo todavía tiene pendiente su partido de la Semana 5, en el que enfrentarán a los Rams de Los Ángeles el lunes por la noche. Después de ese encuentro, los Bills permanecerán en la costa oeste en lugar de regresar a casa para luego emprender otro viaje hacia el oeste, por lo que llegarán a su siguiente compromiso tras una estancia prolongada fuera de Buffalo.
Para Las Vegas, el objetivo será aprovechar la semana de preparación para corregir los problemas que quedaron en evidencia ante Nueva Inglaterra y recuperar la identidad que mostró durante su arranque de temporada.
La derrota ante los Patriotas dejó claro que los Raiders necesitan una respuesta más completa, tanto para mover el balón como para mantenerse competitivos durante los cuatro cuartos. Con Buffalo en el horizonte, el mensaje dentro del vestidor es claro: aprender de lo sucedido, corregir los errores y evitar que dos derrotas consecutivas definan el rumbo de su campaña.
View photos from the Raiders' regular season Week 5 matchup against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Deven Thompkins (83) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dareke Young (81) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Hezekiah Masses (35) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Quay Walker (7) 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 wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Cody White (82) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Matt Gay (14) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Matt Gay (14) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) and defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Taron Johnson (3) and cornerback Eric Stokes (5) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. (4) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders fullback Connor Heyward (34), linebacker Cody Lindenberg (55) and cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. (25) 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 Quay Walker (7) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Taron Johnson (3) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Quay Walker (7) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Quay Walker (7) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders fullback Connor Heyward (34) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Kwity Paye (95) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) and cornerback Taron Johnson (3) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Treydan Stukes (31) and cornerback Dairen Porter (26) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) and center Tyler Linderbaum (65) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Klint Kubiak during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Deven Thompkins (83) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Matt Gay (14) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) and guard Caleb Rogers (76) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (5) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Deven Thompkins (83) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. (4) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) and running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Quay Walker (7) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Taron Johnson (3) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Kwity Paye (95) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Kwity Paye (95) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Ian Thomas (80) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) and fullback Connor Heyward (34) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Cody White (82) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Cody White (82) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Cody White (82) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders offense during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Matt Gay (14) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) during the regular season game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
