How Rare Offensive Set Helped Patriots End Touchdown Drought

The New England Patriots scored a touchdown in rare fashion on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.

No, it was not rare because it was the team’s first touchdown since Week 3 against the New York Jets.

In the third quarter approaching the goal line, Malik Cunningham lined up at quarterback and then ran in motion out wide to line up as a receiver. That left running back Ezekiel Elliott in the backfield to take the snap in the Wildcat formation. Elliott followed his blockers into the end zone for a two-yard score. The touchdown ended the drought for the Patriots and also gave Elliott his first score with New England.

The Patriots rarely run out of the Wildcat formation, with rare occurrences…