{"numbering":"no_numbering","slides":[{"title":"Patriots vs. Raiders, Sunday, 1 p.m.","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/Belichick_Bill_GettyImages-1197574436.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1600461000,"caption":"

The Patriots are coming off a game that was a revelation to the rest of the league. Everyone knows their coaching staff is talented. And everyone knows Cam Newton is good when healthy.

But for Newton to complete nearly 400 yards worth of passes and get career-highs from Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry and Damiere Byrd, recalculating is now in progress. Is this really them? Or have the Patriots just broken fast in early September when no one really knew what to expect?

The 2-0 Raiders provide a good test of that.

"},{"title":"When the Patriots have the ball","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/Newton_Cam_USATODAY_14959594.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports photo","published":1600461000,"caption":"

In the opener, they ran it against a team that’s not good against the run. In the second week, they threw it against a team that’s not good against the pass. This week, they get a Raiders team that’s been poor on third down (58 percent conversions) and against the run (4.9 YPC average).

The Patriots take a blow personnel-wise without David Andrews (hand) and James White (personal reasons) being out for this one. Second-year interior lineman Hjalte Froholdt, who hasn’t seen extended playing time yet, will likely replace Andrews.

If you’re the Raiders, you look at what New England did last week in the passing game and say, “Do it again, Cam,” It’s either that or play coverage and give the big man room to roam up front.

Two games in, Newton’s already surpassed all expectations in each game. Can he make it three?

"},{"title":"When the Raiders have the ball","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/Waller_D_USATSI_14963062.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports photo","published":1600461000,"caption":"

The Raiders have been almost as good converting third downs as they’ve been bad at defending them. They’re at 57.1 in conversions and a lot of that has to do with the tight end Darren Waller, who’s turned into a force.

Slowing down Waller and running back Josh Jacobs are the primary jobs of the Patriots defense. With Waller, look for the Patriots to try a little bit of everything, but I’ll be interested to see if second-year player JoeJuan Williams draws some time with Waller. Williams did check Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki on a few plays in the opener.

Adrian Phillips and Stephon Gilmore also figure to be sent at Waller in hopes of slowing his production (17 catches, 150 yards so far). Hunter Renfrow is Las Vegas’ second-leading wide receiver with five catches for 58 yards. Rookie Henry Ruggs is held out which gives the Pats secondary a break.

Derek Carr is accurate (73.8 completion percentage) and takes care of the ball (zero picks). He’s just ultra-careful and doesn’t figure to go full bore trying to challenge the Patriots secondary. Look for the Raiders to try and pound the New England front with Jacobs. The team’s inexperience at linebacker still hasn’t been exploited.

"},{"title":"The kicking game","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Folk-N_GettyImages_1228636906.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1600461000,"caption":"

Nails have been bitten and hands have been wrung about Nick Folk since he’s missed a field goal in each of his first two games. I say don’t sweat it. He hasn’t missed an extra point during his time in New England, he’s 10 for 10 on field goals inside 40 and 5-for-10 outside 40 (including 1-for-2 outside 50). Relax.

Jake Bailey and the Patriots coverage punting unit remains outstanding. I’m not enthused about Damiere Byrd as the lead punt returner (5 punts fielded, 3 fair catches, 0 yards on his 2 returns). The Raiders have already given up a couple of robust returns on punts and kickoffs. Hunter Renfrow is their punt returner and he’s averaging 14 yards per return.

"},{"title":"Game within the game","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Burkhead_R_GettyImages_1228637079.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1600461000,"caption":"

Can the Patriots get something going with their running backs against the Raiders defense? Vegas has allowed 241 rushing yards and a 4.9 YPC average in the first two games. They’ve also allowed four rushing touchdowns.

Both Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey had solid games running and receiving. While James White, the Patriots best receiving threat from the backfield, is not available, this could be a game where Rex Burkhead makes a little headway.

"},{"title":"Raiders gotta stop... ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Edelman_J_GettyImages_1273812862.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1600461000,"caption":"

Julian Edelman

The indestructible Edelman’s been targeted 18 times and caught 13 balls for, 236 yards in the first two games. He and Cam Newton already have a nice kismet, as Edelman’s 49-yard catch and two late receptions on perfectly-placed Newton passes showed the faith Newton has to allow Edelman to go get it when Newton needs him.

"},{"title":"Patriots gotta stop...","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/Waller_Darren_USATODAY_14963397.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports photo","published":1600461000,"caption":"

Darren Waller

In his first three seasons with the Ravens and Raiders, Waller was targeted 29 times and had 18 catches. In the first two games this year, the 28-year-old has been targeted 24 times and has 18 catches. Coming off a 90-catch season last year, the 6-foot-6, 255-pounder has proven to be a matchup nightmare. The Patriots figure to send a number of different players his way including Stephon Gilmore, Adrian Phillips, JoeJuan Williams and J.C. Jackson. Holding him down on third down is a huge key.

"},{"title":"Medical reports","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/Andrews_David_USATODAY_12839122.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports photo","published":1600461000,"caption":"

Las Vegas Raiders

OUT: T Trent Brown (calf), LB Nick Kwiatkoski (pectoral), WR Henry Ruggs (knee).

QUESTIONABLE: G Denzelle Good (illness/thumb), RB Josh Jacobs (hip), TE Darren Waller (knee), T Sam Young (groin)

New England Patriots

OUT: C David Andrews (hand); LB Josh Uche (foot), RB James White.

QUESTIONABLE: DL Adam Butler (shoulder), DB Kyle Dugger (ankle), WR Julian Edelman (knee), WR N’Keal Harry (ankle), T Isaiah Wynn (calf), LB Brandon Copeland (knee).

"},{"title":"That sums it up: Patriots style","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/Waller_Carr_GETTY_1274380124.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1600461000,"caption":"

“I’m really impressed with everything he does. He’s very competitive, got great size, got great quickness for his size, catches the ball very well. He can run all the routes. Really is a versatile player, talented. He’ll definitely be a problem for us. There’s not one thing you can take away from him. He does a lot of things well.”

– Bill Belichick on Raiders tight end Darren Waller.

"},{"title":"That sums it up: Raiders style","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/Newton_Cam_Getty_1273820550.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1600461000,"caption":"

"Cam looks like he’s the usual Cam. He’s a threat to do a lot of different things. It’s a credit to the Patriots. I think it’s a real credit to their coaching staff to be able to change gears that fast, that well. I guess you expect that from the Patriots’ coaching staff, but he’s impressive, and the way they’ve changed gears is very impressive.”

– Jon Gruden, Raiders coach, on the problems posed by Newton.

"},{"title":"The winner is...","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/article/hero/Newton_Cam_USATODAY_14959558.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports photo","published":1600459200,"caption":"

Patriots 31, Raiders 28

"}]}

Patriots-Raiders Preview: Keys to a New England victory in Week 3