Patriots vs. Raiders score: Rex Burkhead leads way with three TDs, hands Las Vegas first loss of 2020

The Patriots had no problems taking care of business against the visiting Raiders in Foxborough

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Raiders are unbeaten no more. Rex Burkhead led the way as the Patriots were able to move to 2-1 on the season by defeating Las Vegas at Gillette Stadium, 36-20. It was a career day for the veteran running back as he found the end zone three times in the winning effort, once through the air and twice on the ground. He also totaled for 98 yards from scrimmage. 

Really, it was a strong running day for the entire Patriots backfield. As Cam Newton went through an up-and-down afternoon from wire-to-wire, the running game consisting of Burkhead, Sony Michel and J.J. Taylor picked up the slack. As a team, the Patriots were able to rush for 252 yards on 6.6 yards per carry. With talk about reducing his role bubbling, Michel did his best to silence his detractors, rushing for 117 yards on just nine carries. This running game was particularly important for the Patriots as the passing attack wasn't as lethal as it appeared to be a week ago. Newton completed 17 of his 28 passes for 162 yards, one touchdown and one interception. 

For the Raiders, this was a game filled with missed opportunities. While New England's defense did a strong job at negating Darren Waller's presence outside of two catches late, Las Vegas was still able to capitalize when reaching the red zone. Jon Gruden's club was only able to score touchdowns on two of their five red zone trips. One of those successful drives was in garbage time. They also committed six penalties to New England's two. 

Turnovers were an issue for both teams to start, but it only last throughout the game for the Raiders. The dagger came with Derek Carr was strip-sacked in the end zone and picked up by Deatrich Wise to put New England up by 23 with just under five minutes remaining in the eventual win for the Patriots. 

From here, the Patriots will head to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs, while the Raiders will head back to Las Vegas and await the Buffalo Bills. To see how the game unfolded in real time, check out our live blog below. 

[Sep 27, 2020 at 4:12 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Derek Carr finds Hunter Renfrow for the touchdown. Likely won't mean anything for this game but probably has some fantasy implications somewhere out there.

[Sep 27, 2020 at 4:00 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Instead of the safety, the replay shows that Carr fumbled prior to his knee going down, the Patriots recovered and it's, in fact, a touchdown.

[Sep 27, 2020 at 3:55 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Derek Carr goes down in the end zone for a safety and the wheels have officially fallen off on the Raiders.

[Sep 27, 2020 at 3:47 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

That's a hat trick for Rex Burkhead.

[Sep 27, 2020 at 3:43 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Sony Michel is not only doing it with his legs, but he also had an outstanding blitz pickup just a moment ago that saved Newton from a sack.

[Sep 27, 2020 at 3:38 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Not sure why the Raiders decided to go for the field goal there. Really no difference between a 13 point lead and a 10 point lead. Should have lined it up and went for it on fourth down.

[Sep 27, 2020 at 3:36 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Patriots continue to do a great job on Darren Waller. Devin McCourty had a PBU on him in the end zone on the tight end's only target of the game to this point.

[Sep 27, 2020 at 3:22 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Sony Michel has another chunk play to his name -- rushes for 48 yards to put New England in the red zone. He's now over 100 yards rushing for the day, which is something he was not able to do at all in 2019.

[Sep 27, 2020 at 3:17 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Isaiah Wynn is back at left tackle for New England.

[Sep 27, 2020 at 3:09 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Rex Burkhead is having himself a game and really showing his physically in the red zone. Newton clearly likes to go to him often here. Second touchdown of the game for him and first on the ground.