Familiar Faces and High Hopes: Patriots vs Raiders Week 1 Preview
It's finally here.
The first game of the Vrabel era is upon us, and it comes against a team we have plenty of history with. Our New England Patriots face the Las Vegas Raiders in Foxborough on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Eastern.
The Raiders and Patriots have been very intertwined the last few seasons, as Josh McDaniels just returned to our staff from a stint coaching for Vegas. We also signed their leading run-stuffer, Robert Spillane, this offseason (PatsPulpit). Still fresh in my mind is the game that ended our 2022 season, where Jakobi Meyers, now the leading WR for Vegas, threw a lateral to Chandler Jones, who stiff-armed Mac Jones en route to a game-winning touchdown. Maybe the stupidest ending to a football game ever. Hopefully, this year’s game is more straightforward.
Geno Smith makes his Raiders Debut, alongside first-round selection Jeanty. New look offense, got Renfrow back, looks pretty underrated. In addition, the Raiders have a strong front seven, led by perennial pro-bowler Maxx Crosby, and will be a big test for the green Patriots’ offensive line.
Keys to the Game
Expose the Raiders’ O-Line
Speaking of o-line, the Raiders’ right side may be their most glaring weakness. Right guard Jackson Powers-Johnson had a 63.9 PFF grade in 2024, and right tackle DJ Glaze had a 66.1. Meanwhile, the Patriots’ two biggest defensive free agent signings will line up against them: Milton Williams and Harold Landry (PFF). Their combined pass rush will be essential to getting pressure on Geno Smith and ending drives with sacks.
Release Diggs
On the other side of the ball, the Raiders have stout run defense, but are weak on the outside. If Diggs is as healthy as reports say, he could give rookie starting corner Darien Porter a very tough time. Exploiting that matchup alone could win the Patriots the game.
Limit Bowers
With that said, the Patriots must take Bowers out of the picture to run away with the game, but I don't think they can do it. We invested heavily in pass rush and run-stopping this offseason, but still lack a great coverage linebacker. If Kyle Dugger could return to his old self, he could take Bowers, but instead, we’ll likely have to double-team him every play with a safety and linebacker/corner.
Prediction
I think this matchup is going to be a close one. Bowers will likely get 80+ yards and a score, benefitting from the upgrade at quarterback and often getting mismatches in coverage. However, I think the Patriots' defense will prevail late, and Diggs will have a big debut, going for at least 90 yards. My final score prediction is a Patriots victory, maybe the closest game of the week, as the Patriots win in week one for the second year in a row.
Patriots 24, Raiders 23