During the first three weeks of the 2026 NFL season, the Las Vegas Raiders surprised the entire league by going 3-0, defeating the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers, and New Orleans Saints before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs last week, 30-27. The same cannot be said for the New England Patriots, who quickly fell to a 1-2 record, but rebounded with a huge 29-26 win over the Buffalo Bills. New England looks to bounce back in this 2026 season with a 3-2 record, while Las Vegas looks to continue shocking the league. Who will come out on top in Week Five?
Last week against Buffalo, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye stepped up when all eyes were on him after his horrendous Week Three performance. Maye threw three touchdowns and an interception in addition to recording 54 yards on the ground. New England’s receiving corps looked much better, with Romeo Doubs stepping up, making big plays, and scoring two touchdowns in the big-time win over the Bills. The Patriots’ 29 points last week were the most they’ve scored in a game all season, which has to bring in some sort of confidence and momentum heading into this week, especially when New England was able to defeat one of their division rivals and a potential Super Bowl favorite.
Las Vegas’ offense has scored 25 or more points in each of their first four games of the 2026 season. For a team many thought would be lackluster, the Raiders are proving everyone wrong. At 38 years old, quarterback Kirk Cousins is playing perhaps the best football of his illustrious career, throwing over 1,000 yards with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. This Raiders team was able to win the first two games of the season without tight end Brock Bowers, who, in Las Vegas’ next two matchups, tallied 202 receiving yards. Ashton Jeanty provides stability at running back, while the defense has some solid pieces such as Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker, Jeremy Chinn, and Maxx Crosby. If Las Vegas can continue to sneak in wins against some great teams, they could surely have a shot at clinching a spot in the NFL Playoffs.
Both teams’ defenses allowed over 25 points last week, so it’s a must for both sides not to allow either offense to get hot. The game will most likely come down to which team can make that big play on the defensive side, with the Patriots offense looking to stay hot after Week Four and the Raiders offense not looking to slow down anytime soon. A fumble, interception, or even some big deflected passes could ultimately decide who comes out on top in Week Five. New England may be a three and a half point favorite to win this game, but Las Vegas has snuck by and showcased how good of a team they can be.
While the Raiders could shock the league once again this week, I have the Patriots coming out on top here. After Week Three, the New England showed how desperate they need to be to bounce back. The win against Buffalo in Week Four could potentially just be the start for New England to find their groove and show the league what the Patriots way is. Maye must have another big game and limit the turnovers, while Cousins needs to find a way to outsmart New England’s top-tier defense. I have the Patriots walking away with the win 26-20.
