Toronto Star
· collected 2026-10-12 · by Kyle Hightower The Associated Press
In a significant victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye showcased improved confidence and performance. He threw four touchdowns without turning the ball over in a 45-17 win, marking his best game of the season with 26 completions out of 34 for 374 yards. Despite concerns about injuries to key players like TreVeyon Henderson and Will Campbell, Maye's ability to involve nine different receivers highlighted the team’s potential. However, the Patriots also faced issues with penalties, incurring a season-high 12 for 116 yards, which coach Mike Vrabel termed “ridiculous.”
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-12,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On Sunday, Drake Maye led the New England Patriots to a dominant 45-17 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Maye threw four touchdown passes and ran for another score, completing 26 of 34 passes for 374 yards in his second career game with over 300 passing yards. This performance marked the first time since Tom Brady that a Patriots quarterback had thrown at least three touchdowns in consecutive games. Despite missing key players like wide receiver Mack Hollins and cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III, the Patriots managed to rack up a season-high 536 total yards while forcing a Raiders fumble. Meanwhile, the Vikings maintained their unbeaten streak with a 23-13 win over the New Orleans Saints, highlighting a strong performance by Justin Jefferson upon his return to Minnesota’s lineup and Aaron Jones' crucial fourth-quarter touchdown run.
Written for “NFL Week Updates” on 2026-10-13,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
Drake Maye rediscovered his confidence and production in the Patriots’ dominant 45-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
asserted
Maye → rediscover → Sunday
It wasn’t just the third-year quarterbacks passing numbers – 26 of 34 for a season-high 374 yards and four touchdowns – that jumped off the page.
asserted
that → jump → page
It was the calm and deliberate way he commanded the offense that rang the loudest on a day in which he finished without a turnover for the first time this season.
asserted
he → command → time
Equally encouraging was that Maye left the field thinking there was even better football to be played.
asserted
left → leave → field
“I think that’s what it’s like when we put some things together, and we still have some,” he said.
asserted
he → think → some
“I mean, it’s crazy to say we’ve still got some left to squeeze.”
asserted
we → mean → some
It was also a good sign that Maye was able to get multiple players involved.
asserted
players → get → ?
Playing without wide receivers A.J. Brown (injured reserve/sprained ankle) and Mack Hollins (injured reserve/calf), Maye spread the ball around to nine players.
asserted
Maye → play → players
But it wasn’t all smiles on the Patriots’ sideline after running back TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) and left tackle Will Campbell (right knee) both left the field two plays apart.
asserted
Henderson → leave → field
It’s a particularly concerning injury for Campbell, who had to go on IR for four games late last season with a right knee injury before returning for the regular-season finale and playoff run.
asserted
who → ’ → finale
This is also a recurring issue for Henderson after he dealt with an ankle injury in the preseason that caused him to miss the season opener against Seattle.
asserted
him → recur → Seattle
Campbell was replaced Sunday by rookie Caleb Lomu, who’s expected to fill the role as Maye’s blindside protector for however long Campbell is out.
asserted
Campbell → replace → protector
“I don’t think it was too big for him,” Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said of Lomu.
asserted
Vrabel → think → Lomu
“I think he was able to settle down.
asserted
he → think → ?
You didn’t really notice him a lot, so I think that’s probably a good thing.”
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that → notice → him
What’s working
As well as the Patriots’ offense performed, the defense was just as solid.
asserted
defense → work → ?
It limited a Raiders team that came in averaging 28.8 points per game to 5 of 13 on third down.
asserted
that → limit → down
The Patriots also forced a fumble and sacked Kirk Cousins twice.
asserted
Patriots → force → Cousins
What’s more, New England never allowed the Raiders to get into a groove.
asserted
Raiders → ’ → groove
After scoring a touchdown early in the first quarter, Las Vegas’ next four drives went: punt, punt, missed field goal and punt.
asserted
drives → score → punt
What needs help
Discipline.
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needs → need → help
The Patriots were called for a season-high 12 penalties for 116 yards, a total that Vrabel called “ridiculous” postgame.
asserted
Vrabel → call → that
Even with several new combinations of players on the field because of injuries, those are numbers that must be addressed in a hurry.
asserted
that → address → hurry
The second-year receiver has been waiting to get more opportunities, and Maye linked up with him three times for 91 yards, including a 34-yard TD grab in the third quarter.
asserted
Maye → wait → quarter
Yes, the group was playing without starting cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez (shoulder) and Carlton Davis III (neck).
asserted
group → play → cornerbacks
But it had no answers for Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, who finished with eight catches for 110 yards and a touchdown.
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who → have → yards
The already injury-ravished secondary lost another player when cornerback Charles Woods exited in the third quarter with a shoulder injury.
asserted
Woods → ravish → injury
Next steps
The Patriots return to playing their AFC East rivals and host the New York Jets (2-3) on Sunday.
asserted
Patriots → return → Sunday
The Aporia
