Raiders defeat Patriots despite losing Jimmy Garoppolo

Jimmy Garoppolo's back injury doesn't stop Las Vegas Raiders from defeating New England Patriots 21-17. Patriots continue to struggle offensively.

In a thrilling matchup on Sunday afternoon, the Las Vegas Raiders emerged victorious over the New England Patriots with a final score of 21-17. The game was not without its share of drama and injuries, as Jimmy Garoppolo, the quarterback for the Patriots, suffered a back injury early on.

Garoppolo had a solid performance before his departure, completing 14 of 22 passes for 162 yards. However, he was intercepted once before being replaced by Brian Hoyer in the second half. Reports indicate that Garoppolo was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.

Hoyer stepped in and managed to complete 6 of 10 passes for 102 yards, contributing to the Raiders' success. The team, now with a record of 3-3, secured their second consecutive win after a three-game losing streak. Running back Josh Jacobs also played a significant role, rushing 25 times for 77 yards.

The Patriots, on the other hand, continued to struggle offensively. They did manage to end a 12-quarter touchdown drought, with rookie quarterback Mac Jones completing 24 of 33 passes for 200 yards. However, he also threw an interception that hindered their progress.

The game marked another missed opportunity for New England coach Bill Belichick, who failed to join the elite ranks of Don Shula and George Halas as the only NFL head coaches to win 300 regular-season games. Belichick's team now holds a disappointing record of 1-5.

In the third quarter, the Patriots finally found the end zone when Ezekiel Elliott, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys, ran for a 2-yard touchdown. This marked their first touchdown since their victory over the New York Jets on September 24. The score narrowed the Raiders' lead to 13-10.

However, the Raiders responded with a 30-yard field goal from Daniel Carlson, extending their lead to 16-10 at the end of the third quarter. Carlson continued to shine, adding another field goal, this time from 24 yards, early in the fourth quarter to give the Raiders a 19-10 advantage.

The Patriots fought back, with Rhamondre Stevenson scoring a 1-yard touchdown to bring them within two points, making the score 19-17 with just 3:33 remaining. However, their hopes were dashed when Jones was sacked for a safety with only 1:47 left on the clock.

The Raiders started the game strong, driving 69 yards on their opening possession and settling for a 25-yard field goal from Carlson to take an early 3-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. They then extended their lead to 10-0 in the second quarter when Garoppolo connected with Jakobi Meyers for a 12-yard touchdown pass.

The Patriots managed to close the gap with a 43-yard field goal from Chad Ryland, making it 10-3 midway through the second quarter. However, Carlson responded with a 37-yard field goal just before halftime, giving the Raiders a 13-3 lead.

Overall, it was a hard-fought game between two teams with different fortunes this season. The Raiders showcased their resilience and ability to bounce back from a losing streak, while the Patriots struggled to find their rhythm on offense. The injuries to Garoppolo and the subsequent quarterback change certainly added to the excitement and uncertainty of the game.