Here are 3 reasons why the Patriots lost the Las Vegas Raiders

LAS VEGAS – On Sunday, we witnessed one of the worst first halves by the Patriots this season. Then we witnessed one of the most shocking and disappointing losses — 30-24 — in the Bill Belichick era.

It started with the offense falling apart on the goal line in the first half. It ended with the offense literally giving the ball away for a game winning touchdown with zeros on the clock.

It was ugly for the offense from the start.

That’s why the Las Vegas Raiders’ 17-3 halftime lead looked insurmountable. With the way Mac Jones and the Patriots were playing, it probably would’ve been. Instead, the Patriots defense and special teams unit kept the game within reach.

It took the Patriots offense a little over 56 minutes to get it together, but right when it looked like Jones orchestrated a fourth-quarter comeback against his former offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, the Raiders came back. The Patriots were up 24-17 before Derek Carr hit Keelan Cole for a game-tying touchdown with 32 seconds left.

The game should’ve gone into overtime. Instead, it turned into one of the most shocking losses the Patriots have seen in sometime.

With three seconds left on the clock and three seconds away from overtime, Rhamondre Stevenson ran up the middle for 23 yards. Instead of going down, he lateraled the ball to Jakobi Meyers. The receiver tried to lateral the ball, but it went nowhere. Instead, the Raiders’ Chandler Jones picked it up and ran in for a game-winning 48-yard touchdown.

Jones desperately tried to tackle the defensive end but couldn’t get him down. The former Patriots draft pick ran into the end zone and Allegiant Stadium went wild while the Patriots lost 30-24 in stunning fashion. The Patriots drop to 7-7.

The fourth quarter turned wild

The Patriots weren’t going to win this game without some help from their defense and special teams.

Right away, that’s what happened in the second half.

At 12:07 of the third quarter, Kyle Dugger intercepted Derek Carr and waltzed 17 yards into the end zone. The Raiders quarterback attempted to throw a screen pass to Davante Adams. Dugger made a perfect read en route to a perfect play to cut the Raiders lead to 17-10.

In the middle of the third quarter, the Patriots offense started at the 2-yard line. It didn’t look promising, but Stevenson broke loose for a 26-yard run on the first snap. The Patriots leaned on the run game getting first downs from Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong en route to a 47-yard field goal. That cut the Raiders lead to 17-13 at 1:21 of the third quarter.

The Patriots defense then held the Raiders to a three-and-out inside the 10-yard line. The ensuing punt gave the offense field position at midfield. They didn’t travel far, but Folk hit a 54-yard field goal at 12:52 of the fourth quarter and the Raiders led was down to 17-16.

Defensive stop after defensive stop, the Patriots needed their offense. Finally, the group stepped up. With 4:32 left, Jones hit Jakobi Meyers for a 39-yard pass play. On the next snap, Stevenson ran through the Raiders defense for a 34-yard touchdown run. Jones then hit Meyers for the 2-point conversion.

With 3:43 remaining, the Patriots led, 24-17. That marked their first lead of the game.

The Patriots were a near half minute from a win. Standing 30 yards away from the end zone, Carr hit Keelan Cole for a touchdown with 32 seconds left on the clock. Cole barely got both feed in bounds, but after a long review, officials confirmed the score as the Raiders tied this game, 24-24.

The Patriots got the ball back with 32 seconds, but stalled near midfield. Just when you thought this game would go into overtime, it was all over.

Patriots offense was embarrassing in the first half

You can sum up the Patriots offensive woes in their second drive. For a series that resulted in a field goal, this was an absolute embarrassment.

A defensive pass interference penalty on Amik Robertson gave the Patriots a first-and-goal at the 2-yard line. The offensive couldn’t punch it in. The first play saw Rhamondre Stevenson run for 1 yard. On second-and-1, Jones overthrew Jonnu Smith in the back right corner of the end zone. On third-and-1, Jones hit Jakobi Meyers for a touchdown, but the Patriots called a timeout right before the snap. When play resumed, Jones’ pass attempt for Nelson Agholor was deflected by Robertson.

Jones waved off the field goal unit to go for it on fourth-and-1 before the Patriots called another timeout. When the offense lined up again, Jones ran in for a touchdown, but Smith was called for a false start. The Patriots offense settled for a 24-yard Nick Folk field goal, at 11:51 of the second quarter, after failing to score from the 1-yard line.

The Patriots first drive wasn’t much better. After a first-down on the first play, the unit gained two yards before punting.

When the Patriots offense returned to the field, following the missed opportunity, it was more of the same – offensive frustration. After gaining a yard on first down, the Patriots were called for a delay of game. On second-and-14, Jones missed a wide open Meyers downfield. On third-and-14, Kendrick Bourne dropped a pass that was well short of the first down.

The Patriots received the ball back with 2:07 left in the first half. The series started with a 17-yard run by Stevenson. It ended with more trouble. Cole Strange was flagged for a false start turning a third-and-6 into a third-and-11. After failing to get the first down, Patriots punter Michael Palardy had his punt blocked by Malcolm Koonce with 35 seconds left in the half.

That led to a Raiders touchdown and the Patriots went into halftime down, 17-3.

Patriots defense was sloppy at the end of first half

With Jalen Mills (groin) and Jack Jones (knee) out, the Patriots started rookie Marcus Jones at outside cornerback along with Jonathan Jones. The third-round pick drew a tough matchup in the opening drive with All-Pro receiver Davante Adams. On the fourth play of the game, Raiders quarterback tested that matchup throwing deep to Adams. Jones looked beat at first, but quickly made up ground to break up a would-be touchdown at 13:01 of the first quarter.

Las Vegas ended up taking an early 3-0 lead after a 49-yard field goal from Daniel Carlson at 8:26 of the first quarter.

After the Patriots offense imploded on the goal line, the Raiders took momentum and ran with it. On the ensuing series, Las Vegas ran over the Patriots defense with Josh Jacobs to get downfield. A holding penalty pushed them back, but on a second-and-25, Carr hit tight end Darren Waller for a 25-yard touchdown at 5:18 of the second quarter. That put the Raiders up 10-3.

Following the Raiders blocked punt, the Patriots defense had a tough assignment as Las Vegas took over at the 20-yard line. However, players made it harder on themselves. Two plays in a row saw Jonathan Jones flagged for illegal contact and Jabrill Peppers flagged for holding. That put the Raiders at the 5-yard and it’s where Carr hit Mack Hollins for a touchdown to put Las Vegas up 17-3 with four seconds left in the first half.

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