BSJ Game Report: Raiders 21, Patriots 17 - New England comes up short again as it falls to 1-5

Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ loss to the Raiders in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

Too many mistakes: The Patriots, basically, just weren't ready to go again and the attention to detail continues to be lacking. The Patriots trailed 10-0 and 13-3 before they made it interesting late. The Raiders went right down the field and would have scored a touchdown if not for a huge drop on third down. Not a great gameplan, again, on defense. The first two offensive drives, thanks to debilitating penalties, totaled -2 yards on their first two drives. Not ready to start on offense. They had 10 penalties for 79 yards. Attention to detail not there. There were drops and a ton of missed blocks. Mac Jones threw another interception that erased at least three points. They gave up a safety to, basically, end the game. Net punting average wasn't great. Did I mention they lost to Brian Hoyer? They can't even beat backup QBs anymore!

"We just couldn't quite make enough plays here tonight," Bill Belichick said. "Had opportunities and just need to do a better job here and really just thought every area just any one of a number of things could have made a difference so we just need to be able to coach it better, play better, execute a little bit better. And that was really the story again."

Injuries are starting to be a huge issue: Let's see. They started two rookies at guard. Tyquan Thornton started with Juju Smith-Schuster out. Keion White started for the injured Matthew Judon and were already without Christian Gonzalez. Then the game started and it got worse.

White was ruled out with a head injury. And TE Hunter Henry (ankle), LB Josh Uche (foot), DB Jonathan Jones (knee) and RB Rhamondre Stevenson (head, ankle) all dealt with injuries of differing severities.

Malik Cunningham active as 'backup QB', gets two touches: The rookie QB/WR was active while Bailey Zappe was designated the emergency third quarterback and Will Grier was inactive. Don't think that represents the depth chart, more roster management. "We had a lot of people injured," Belichick said. Cunningham, who did not throw passes in warmps and got ready with the WRs, had two touches in a Wildcat situation (one blown dead by penalty) and was taken down for a 5-yard loss. He did go in motion on Ezekiel Elliott's Wildcat touchdown. 

If anything, I think Cunningham's spot was more of an indictment on Zappe's play late in the previous two games. He was so poor, they'd rather just have Cunningham run around making plays if Jones was injured.

SECOND GUESS

They started over, really? What was the big difference this week? Looked like more of the same on offense. They started horribly.

FIVE UP

Jabrill Peppers: Had a monster hit on Devante Adams to cause a red zone interception.

Christian Barmore: Was a beast inside with several impactful plays, including two deflections and a drawn hold.

Kendrick Bourne: Caught 10 of 11 targets for 89 yards, including a run-and-catch of 36 yards. 

Ja'Whaun Bentley: Was really good against the run and had two QB hits.

Red zone defense: Raiders were only 1 of 6 in the red zone or else this would have been a lot worse.

FIVE DOWN

Bill Belichick: He's responsible.

DeVante Parker: Dropped the team's best chance to pull a upset on the final drive and then didn't take responsibility for it after the game. Had 1 catch for 7 yards on three targets against a bad secondary.

Offensive line: They were awful again and had penalties.

Myles Bryant: Had a rough one in coverage.

Jalen Mills: Rookie TE Michael Mayer looked like Gronk on him.

TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

No, they won't start to tank ... yet: The Patriots of Bill Belichick know nothing but preparing to win the next game, and that's exactly what they will do this week. I know it looks crappy, but all these guys believe that a turnaround could just be a game away. Tanking becomes more of a reality once they are officially eliminated from the postseason. Even then, remember, Belichick wouldn't even let Jarrett Stidham play over Cam Newton.

Mac Jones should start at QB next week: It was far from perfect, especially the inexcusable INT, but it appeared to be a better offense in the second half. They were very small steps, but there was enough there to keep it going.

And unless they think Will Grier is ready — he got some snaps this week — I don't see the point. There's not a real answer. Zappe ain't it. Cunningham is still not a QB for them.