Raiders flaws laid bare in Patriots beatdown

FOXBOROUGH, Ma – The Raiders’ promising start to Klint Kubiak’s first season in charge took a major detour Sunday in New England, where a 45-17 blowout loss to the Patriots exposed weaknesses across the board.From a stagnant running game to costly penalties and defensive breakdowns, their second straight defeat revealed how much work still remains in their rebuild.Here are three takeaways:Raiders’ discipline disappears at the worst timeThe Raiders arrived in New England having surrendered fewer penalty yards than any team in the NFL.Then they spent the first half looking like a team that had forgotten how to get out of its own way.After accumulating just 120 penalty yards through their first four games, the Raiders piled up 80 before halftime against the Patriots.

That grew to 101 yards on right penalties by the end of the game.For a team with little margin for error offensively, that was an especially damaging departure from one of its early strengths.On defense, the flags created favorable situations for the Patriots.On offense, they pushed the Raiders behind the sticks, asking an already inconsistent unit to overcome distances it too often could not handle.The penalties were only part of the problem.

Negative plays compounded the damage, none more frustrating than an 11-yard loss on a failed end around to Tre Tucker late in the first half.The Raiders had just forced a fumble and taken over at the Patriots’ 38-yard line, with a chance to tie the game or take the lead before halftime.Instead, a promising opportunity became a punishing swing.The possession unraveled, and Matt Gay’s 49-yard field-goal attempt clanged off the left upright.Maye made sure the Raiders paid for the wasted takeaway, driving the Patriots 61 yards and finding tight end Hunter Henry for a 5-yard touchdown that stretched New England’s lead to 21-7.That is particularly costly for an offense still struggling to establish a reliable running game.

Every backward step increases the...