Raiders vs Patriots   Results, Match Player Stats & Records

Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer give the Raiders (3-1) a strong tandem at tight end. Bowers missed the first two games of the season due to a knee injury, but he caught 10 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown in a Week 3 victory over New Orleans and had six receptions for 86 yards and a TD in a loss to Kansas City last week.

Las Vegas' tight ends -- Bowers, Mayer and Ian Thomas -- have been targeted a league-high 53 times this season, recording 39 receptions for 414 yards and four touchdowns. Bowers caught five passes for 103 yards during a Week 1 victory over the Patriots (2-2) last year.

"Yeah, I can't say enough about them," New England coach Mike Vrabel said. "What (Bowers) does at his size, the speed, the route craft, and being able to catch at the catch point. He's like a big slot receiver. He has downfield speed, he runs outward breaking routes, he runs routes like a receiver, but then also he's got the ability to double guys up inside.

"I think that (Mayer) has really turned into a complete tight end, and everything that I think people that looked at him coming out of the draft envisioned. The ability to play at the line of scrimmage, the ability to block, but also be able to excel in the pass game."

It will be a tall test for a banged-up secondary. Las Vegas and Detroit are the only NFL teams that have scored at least 26 points in every game this season. Yet Las Vegas understands what kind of football New England is capable of playing.

"Big challenge this week -- on the road against a team that was in the Super Bowl last year," Las Vegas quarterback Kirk Cousins said. "They have the respect of the whole league, tough place to play, so it's gonna take our best effort.

"We as a team and we as individuals have a good process we're gonna stick to and trust that will get us ready for what we have to do on Sunday."

New England quarterback Drake Maye struggled in his first three games this season -- six interceptions and one touchdown pass -- but was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week after completing 22 of 37 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns in last Sunday's 29-26 victory at Buffalo. He also gained 54 yards on eight rushing attempts.

"In this league you have to play good football to end up on the right side of things," Maye said.

New England was without cornerback Christian Gonzalez (shoulder) and defensive tackle Christian Barmore (shoulder) last week against Buffalo. Barmore's status (questionable) could be the best possible news on the injury front, as he was a full practice participant on Friday after being limited previously. Gonzalez has been ruled out, along with cornerback Carlton Davis (neck), wide receiver Mack Hollins (calf) cornerback Karon Prunty (hamstring), cornerback Channing Canada (hamstring) and fullback Reggie Gilliam (ankle/knee).

Six more Patriots are questionable, including five starters: running back Rhamondre Stevenson (knee), right tackle Morgan Moses (foot), linebackers Christian Elliss (chest) and Dre'Mont Jones (shoulder), safety Craig Woodson (shoulder) and backup corner Charles Woods (shoulder).

Las Vegas starting right guard Jackson Powers-Johnson practiced in full the past two days and is expected back Sunday after missing the Kansas City game with a groin injury. The status of starting running back Ashton Jeanty (ankle/foot) is less clear. He's listed as questionable after missing Friday's practice.

Receiver Jalen Nailor entered concussion protocol following Sunday's loss to the Chiefs and will be out, along with wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (hamstring) and guard Trey Zuhn III (knee).

--Field Level Media