The New England Patriots will face off against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday for their first game of the 2025 season. There’s no doubt that both teams are far changed and improved, and at least on paper, it looks to be an intriguing matchup. All things considered, there’s plenty to look out for in this one, and several key areas could make or break the game for the Patriots.
It’s been an eventful offseason for the Patriots, as they shelled out the most money in the league in free agency and held the No. 4 pick in the draft. Raider Nation also saw some interesting moves in the offseason, with Geno Smith coming to Nevada via trade and Pete Carroll returning to coaching after a year-long hiatus.
Ashton Jeanty was selected No. 6 overall, and veteran Amari Cooper, who was signed on August 25, suddenly retired on Thursday. It’s been a whirlwind for the black and silver.
Key things to watch for in the Patriots’ season opener against the Raiders
Containing Ashton Jeanty
We know what Brock Bowers can do from the tight end spot, but hyped selection Ashton Jeanty will make his first NFL appearance against the Patriots. In the preseason, he carried the ball 12 times for 37 yards and a touchdown. He’ll likely be better in 2025, but that disappointing stat line could repeat on Sunday given Vrabel’s style of defense.
Even in his final season as the Titans’ head coach, Vrabel’s defense was solid against the run, ranking 14th. During his best seasons in Tennessee, the run defense was stifling and even ranked No. 1 in 2021. DC Terrell Williams was Detroit’s defensive line coach last season, and the Lions’ defense came in at sixth in the NFL against the run.
Jeanty no doubt makes the Raiders’ backfield better, but the black and silver ranked dead last in the league last season in yards per game, and the only squad to rush for less than 80 a game (31st had 91.8 yards per game. Between Vrabel’s defense and the lackluster Raiders’ offensive line, the Boise State alum having a big game seems unlikely.
Who covers Brock Bowers?
How will the Patriots deal with the Raiders’ biggest threat? Standing at six-foot-five with incredible athleticism and feel, he’s no doubt the biggest threat. Christian Gonzalez seems unlikely to play, and Carlton Davis will have his hands full with Jakobi Meyers. Kyle Dugger has been buried in the depth chart and has historically struggled in coverage. Marcus Jones is far too small.
Realistically, some combination of Alex Austin, Jaylinn Hawkins, and Craig Woodson will likely be assigned the job, given their size and athleticism. We could definitely see chips off the line from Harold Landry and the edge defenders, too. I’d expect Davis to shadow him should Chip Kelly flex him out wide.
A big day for Rhamondre Stevenson?
The Raiders’ defensive interior is pretty poor: former Patriot Adam Butler and Thomas Booker IV are their projected starters according to the team’s website. Given McDaniels’s tendency to run the ball, I’d expect the running backs, specifically Rhamondre Stevenson, to have a nice day as powerful runners.
This type of running should slow down Maxx Crosby and open up a play-action game against a weak Raiders defensive backfield.
Exposing the Raiders’ secondary
The Raiders’ cornerbacks are poor. The group no longer features Nate Hobbs or Jakorian Bennett and is instead comprised of Eric Stokes, Darien Porter, and Darnay Holmes. Realistically, none of them can stick with Stefon Diggs.
Stokes has speed, and Porter has upside as a rookie last year, but as a whole, it’s far from an impressive group. Decamerion Richardson and Kyu Blu Kelly back up the trio. I’d expect Drake Maye to have plenty of open receivers, particularly if the run game is hitting against the weak defensive interior.
Rookie lineman on the left side
Will Campbell and Jared Wilson will have a tough task in their first NFL game, as they’ll likely work against Maxx Crosby coming off the edge. The pair had a miscommunication in the first preseason game that led to a Drake Maye fumble via a Jacob Martin sack.
Crosby is far better than Martin, and he won’t need an invitation from a miscommunication to cause havoc in the backfield. Communication will be key to slowing down one of the league’s best rushers.
