Las Vegas Raiders officially on fraud watch after embarrassing loss to New England Patriots
· Yahoo Sports
The stage was set for the Las Vegas Raiders heading into their Week 5 matchup against the New England Patriots.
The Raiders were one of the biggest surprises in the NFL during the first month of the 2026 season, starting 3-1 with a hard-fought loss to the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs the week prior as the only blemish on the record, leading to some early playoff hopes. Meanwhile, the Patriots were searching for answers at 2-2 and had several key players out with injuries, including four cornerbacks and star defender Christian Gonzalez.
Visit casino-promo.biz for more information.
However, to say Las Vegas had a missed opportunity would be an understatement. The team was flat-out embarrassed.
Not only did New England win by four scores, but the Pats also outgained the Silver and Black by 230 yards, won the time-of-possession battle by almost nine minutes, and dominated pretty much from the jump. The Patriots’ defense managed to force a three-and-out on the opening possession of the game, and the offense followed that up with a five-play, 79-yard touchdown drive to go up 7-0.
Las Vegas did manage to respond with a touchdown, but New England just went right back down the field to retake the lead and never looked back. As a result, the Raiders went from being a postseason hopeful to officially being placed on fraud watch, while the internet isn’t exactly taking it easy on the Silver and Black.
Looking like the Raiders might be frauds when you can’t beat a beat up injured team like the Patriots that’s a big problem
— McRaider (@McT228) October 11, 2026
Raiders wins to start the season were against 3 teams with a combined 1-11 record so far…
— Abhi Desai (@KryptonCEO) October 11, 2026
Were always frauds.
This is disgusting and disappointing, and yes, I’m talking about the Raiders.
— Moe Moton (@MoeMoton) October 11, 2026
#Raiders 3-1 (about to be 3-2) is it safe to talk about fraud talk? Are the Raiders good, just a bad/off game or just a product of the poor teams we’ve played?
— RaiderInfiltrator (@Raiderinfiltra1) October 11, 2026
Klint Kubiak says he abandoned the run too early. He’s made similar statements earlier this season.
Klint Kubiak said playing from behind was a factor in Mike Washington Jr. not getting opportunities today.
— Sam Warren (@samwarren83) October 11, 2026
"Early in the game especially, I needed to stay with the run. Didn't need to have abandoned it so fast. So it's on me." https://t.co/zt6Ap4FTpx
Kirk Cousins was sacked a season-high three times and pressured on 38.7% of his dropbacks against the Patriots.
— Sam Warren (@samwarren83) October 11, 2026
Klint Kubiak: "They did a great job in their blitz package. When you pass it that many times, there's gonna be those. Overall, I think they did a great job in…
Raiders oline not up for the task today
— Charles Woodson (@CharlesWoodson) October 11, 2026
Klint Kubiak on whether Ashton Jeanty was hampered by injury today:
— Sam Warren (@samwarren83) October 11, 2026
"Yes. Ashton is beat up. And it's a testament to how tough he is that he's out there playing today for his teammates."
Jeanty on why it was important for him to play:
"Unless I can't run, jump, I'm playing.…
The wide receivers had a great opportunity to stand out today and, safe to say, they fell flat.
Patriots missing 4 cornerbacks and Raider wide receivers have combined for 3 receptions so far today.
— Raiders Beat (@RaidersBeat) October 11, 2026
The defense went back to 2025 in New England.
Raiders playing awful on defense. Guys out of gaps, busted coverages, tackling bad.
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) October 11, 2026
Hey, at least we got to see Fernando Mendoza play!
Klint Kubiak said he wanted to get Fernando Mendoza "some exposure" at the end of the Raiders blowout loss.
— Sam Warren (@samwarren83) October 11, 2026
"He did a good job. All reps are valuable. Very important for him."
#Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza on his debut: "It's a good experience. Every rookie has it at some point, so it was just that time. I was really proud of how the offense rallied even late in the game, and with undeniable effort there at the end."
— Ryan McFadden (@ryanmcfadden_) October 11, 2026
Fernando Mendoza Found Tre Tucker For The Raiders First Down Gain, He’s Playing Simple.
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) October 11, 2026
Nice And Easy. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OswlQDz2Ks
Fernando Mendoza's first NFL drive: 6-of-8, 48 passing yards.
— Levi Edwards (@theleviedwards) October 11, 2026
A few thoughts from our community chat (click the links/quotes below to join the conversation):
- Mendoza – one word. I have seen this act before. A limited, old QB who has so little outside the pocket and cannot extend plays. The teams are on to this. Future is now. — SpringsRaiders
- Mendoza escaped pressure a few times with his legs, Maye did it all game, a 25 yr old Cousins couldn’t do that, time for a change. — LBRaider1
- The running game, or it’s non-existence, goes back to the Pierce era or further. Looks like the problem is the OL talent is crap. Kubiak’s offense simply can’t operate against upper tiered opponents without an effective running game. It will be a long season unless they miraculously get the running game to perform. Also, they risk getting Mendoza hurt the way this OL is performing. — OakTownRayda
- Also, there was no urgency on the offense. Where were the screen passes to Jeanty earlier? Nope, just run up the middle into the pile to be gang tackled. Cousins clearly can throw further than he did all day. Not enough intermediate passes. The OL wasn’t great. I’m chalking it up to another “East Coast Blues” no-show, unprepared game for the Raiders. Last year’s win against NE means nothing as most first games of the season. When they were 3-0 after the Saints I was hoping for 4-1. Now 4-2 seems iffy. — Cagey
- Raiders need to win the games we should. Coming away with 7 or 8 wins this year would be considered progress. — Legacy Raider
The SB Nation app keeps you connected to fellow Raiders fans before, during and after every game.
- Join the live game-day chat
- Enjoy fewer ads
- Move seamlessly between communities and conversations
- Comment and post faster