9 Patriots takeaways: Chandler Jones delivers Mike Tyson-caliber gut punch in walk-off win

LAS VEGAS This loss was a Mike Tyson-caliber punch to the gut.

With the Patriots and Raiders tied and time expiring, the Patriots tried a razzle-dazzle play to keep things alive. Jakobi Meyers tried to wing a pass across the field, but instead found old friend Chandler Jones, who scampered into the New England end zone for a walk-off 30-24 Raiders win.

It was stunning. Here are nine takeaways from an unforgettable loss at Allegiant Stadium: Enter your email address here to receive MassLive’s Patriots newsletter every Monday and Friday.
      

Absolute gut punch

Losses dont come any harder than this. The clip will live in Patriots infamy forever.

Controversial play ties it

Move over Tuck Rule. Theres a new controversial Raiders-Patriots call in town.

With the Raiders trailing 24-17 with 0:35 to play, Derek Carr found Keelan Cole in the back of the end zone, he snared the pass, and Marcus Jones pushed him to the boundary. Whether you believe he got his second foot down in bounds or not likely depends on what color jersey you wear, but the officials in stripes deemed it a 35-yard touchdown catch.

Stevenson carries the weight

While the passing game was limited (to put it kindly) for much of the afternoon, Stevenson shouldered a heavy load, bad ankle and all. He finished with 172 rushing yards on 19 carries and added a pair of receptions, too. Theres no doubt he was the offenses best player.

Dugger sparks a comeback

Kyle Dugger took a gamble in Vegas that paid off in spades.

Down 17-3 in the third quarter, the safety read Derek Carrs eyes early and had a bubble screen sniffed out. At the snap he barreled downhill, jumped in front of Davante Adams, tipped the pass to himself, and strolled into the end zone with a pick-six. It was a great read and a spark the team desperately needed at the time.

Defense does yeomans work

In the second half, the Raiders couldnt do anything on offense.

The Josh Uche breakout continued he had another timely sack and Derek Carr couldnt tack on to the 17-3 lead he took into halftime. Even missing Jack Jones and Jalen Mills, this group held their own against some explosive weapons. Without the defense really delivering, theres no way this is even close.

Red zone woes continue

Part of the reason the Patriots found themselves in a hole was their inability to punch the ball in the end zone in the red zone. With the ball on the 2-yard line after a pass interference penalty in the second quarter, the Patriots had first-and-goal. Heres what transpired over the next 52 seconds:

– 1-yard run to Stevenson

– Incomplete pass

– Timeout at the snap (on a play that was run and Jakobi Meyers scored a touchdown)

– Incomplete pass

– Timeout

– Quarterback sneak touchdown (negated by a false start because Jonnu Smith wasnt set)

– Field goal

Brutal blocked punt

Pre-snap issues werent just limited to the offense.

Late in the second quarter, the Patriots were set up to punt when the snap came before players were ready. Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce were screaming past Jabrill Peppers into the backfield untouched, blocked the punt, and Las Vegas recovered in New England territory. They turned it into seven points and went into halftime with a 17-3 lead.

Good showing from the rookies

It was another strong afternoon for Belichicks 2022 NFL Draft class.

With Damien Harris out, Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong both ran well, Marcus Jones was good on returns and ran stride-for-stride with Davante Adams on an early pass breakup, Tyquan Thornton had a first-down catch, and Cole Strange (and the rest of the offensive line) played quite well. Even with Jack Jones sidelined, this group looked good.

Patriots fans travel well

Allegiant Stadium had plenty of Patriots fans and they were loud. When the Raiders had the ball there were defense chants coming from the visiting crowd and they drew a Las Vegas false start in the third quarter. It was clearly a destination trip and one they wont soon forget.