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

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.