Containing Newton key against the Patriots
Raiders’ Jacobs, Waller rarely seen at practice due to injury
Playing the New England Patriots is daunting enough without having to piecemeal a game day roster on a cross country flight.
That’s what the Las Vegas Raiders are faced with Sunday in Foxboro, Mass., as they attempt to start an NFL season 3-0 for the first time since 2002.
The Raiders opened that season 4-0 and lost four straight before righting themselves, winning the AFC championship and then losing in the Super Bowl to Jon Gruden’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In other words, ancient history.
In the here and now, Gruden is a game or two away from the Raiders being taken seriously as a playoff contender. Cam Newton is the Patriots’ quarterback instead of Tom Brady, which amazingly enough might be an upgrade. The coach is still Bill Belichick and the Patriots are 121-23 since Gillette Stadium opened in 2002, not including 19-4 in the playoffs. The Raiders are 0-2 there, losing in 2005 and 2014.
New England is 1-1, falling 3530 to Seattle but playing well enough that rampant speculation that this would be the year for someone else to win the AFC East after 11 straight titles was put on indefinite hold.
The Raiders are coming off a short week following an emotion-charged 34-24 win over New Orleans Monday night in their first game at Allegiant Stadium, and the physical toll was considerable.
Running back Josh Jacobs (hip) and tight end Darren Waller (knee) barely practiced all week, the two primary weapons in the attack led by quarterback Derek Carr. Henry Ruggs III, the speedy rookie first-round draft pick, won’t play with a hamstring strain. Right tackle Trent Brown and linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski will miss their third straight game.