The Las Vegas Raiders held on to beat the Patriots Sunday at Allegiant Stadium, in a game each team desperately needed, 21-17. Las Vegas had to play the entire second half of the game with another former Pats QB Brian Hoyer calling signals, after Raider starter Jimmy Garoppolo went out with a back injury after the first half. Garoppolo suffered an apparent back injury late in the 2nd quarter. He never returned to the field. Instead Garoppolo went to a local hospital for observation. He was off to perhaps his finest day in Silver and Black as he completed 14 of 22 passes for 162 yards a touchdown to Jacobi Meyers, and one INT.
With Garoppolo at the helm, the Raiders had a 13-3 halftime lead. Hoyer managed the game well in relief and was 6-10 for 102 yards in the second half. The Raiders kept hurting themselves deep in Patriots territortory. They had to settle for four Daniel Carlson field goals of 24, 25, 30 and 37 yards.
The Patriots Ezekiel Elliott capped off a 75-yard drive in the third quarter take a direct snap into the end zone to make it a 13-10 game. It was the first Patriots touchdown in their last 40 drives. Elliott almost broke the streak earlier, but his 74 yard touchdown run was called back for a hold by tight end Hunter Henry.
Two of Carlson's field goals made the score 19-10 in the fourth quarter. Rhamondre Stevenson scored on a 1 yard run and Chad Ryland's PAT made it a 19-17 game. The Patriots used 9:30 on the clock and ran 17 plays to cover 75 yards. New England had five third down conversions including two by penalty.
The Raiders sealed the victory with a safety on a sack of Mac Jones in the end zone in the final two minutes of the game. The sack was credited to Bilal Nichols and Max Crosby.
The Raiders favorite target was rookie Michael Mayer who had 5 grabs for 75 yards. He came into the game with 3 receptions through the team's first four games. Josh Jacobs ran the ball 25 for 77 yards.
The Raiders travel to Chicago next Sunday in hopes of continuing their winning streak. Las Vegas has won two games in a row to get back to .500 in the logjammed AFC race. The Patriots (1-5) host the Bills next.