With much anticipation to get the 2025 season underway, the New England Patriots played host to the Las Vegas Raiders to open the new season. With Robert Kraft sitting high on his throne in his owner's box, he watched his team lose 20-13 in the first game of the season.
This was a great first game for the new and improved Patriots, led by Mike Vrabel, to test themselves against a talented and well-coached team led by Pete Carroll, despite it ending in a losing effort.
It was a slow start for the Patriots in all three phases of the game, but they did turn it around as the game progressed.
Here are four things we learned from the Patriots after Week 1 of the 2025 season.
1- Drake Maye & the Receivers Struggled
It was an up-and-down day for quarterback Drake Maye, who was off-target more often than not with his receivers throughout the game. It started on the first drive, then it improved on the second. After that, it was happening on every drive, whether there was pressure or not.
The Patriots finished the game with only two wide receivers with production: Kayshon Boutte (6 rec., 103 yards) and Stefon Diggs (6 rec., 57 yards). Kyle Williams, Mack Hollins, and DeMario Douglas all had one reception.
Maye was off-target early in the game with Douglas, and then with Henry; each ended the drive without any points. Boutte led the game in receiving; he caught a few passes that were behind him.
It was tight end Hunter Henry (4 rec., 66 yards), and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson (6 rec., 24 yards) who were also the top receivers in the game.
Although Maye is learning a new offense, accuracy isn’t a part of that. He needs to be more accurate as the season progresses. He finished the game with 287 passing yards on 30-of-46 with one touchdown and an interception.
2- Defensive Backs Held Their Own in Christian Gonzalez's Absence
The Patriots didn’t have their top cornerback in this game with Christian Gonzalez ruled out due to a hamstring injury that he suffered in practice on Jul. 28.
Starting in place of Gonzalez was Alex Austin, who held his own and gave a valiant effort after having a great camp with the Patriots. He finished the game with five tackles and one pass deflection while also covering versatile tight end Brock Bowers from time to time.
It wasn’t the loss of Gonzalez that ultimately made the defense struggle; it was the safeties over the top that struggled early and often in this game. The corners, between Austin and Carlton Davis, weren’t perfect, but the one touchdown pass New England allowed was from a failed coverage by Jaylinn Hawkins.
It’s worth mentioning that Hawkins really turned his game around after that opening drive. He went on to finish the game with five tackles, one sack, one interception, and a pass deflection.
The Patriots will be a better team with their All-Pro cornerback, Gonzalez, back on the field. But New England might be able to get by with their depth at the position until he’s ready to return. If there is one thing we’ve learned about Gonzalez over the years is that he won’t return if he’s not ready.
3- Running Back Room Still a Work in Progress
How the Patriots utilized their three running backs was a big focus this offseason after they drafted a top running back in the second round of the NFL Draft with TreVeyon Henderson, while Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson are also on the roster.
It was only Stevenson and Henderson who carried the ball while Gibson was used as the kick returner for the majority of the game. Gibson had one rush for three yards as the game was nearing the end.
The Patriots produced 60 yards of rushing offense, and if you take out the yards from both Maye and Douglas, the running backs only totaled 46 yards on the ground.
4- Offensive Line Has to Be Better
With two rookie starters on the left side of the line in Will Campbell and Jared Wilson, and with four new starters in all along the offensive line, how the Patriots' offense operated was the biggest concern in the game.
As a result, Maye was sacked four times, and they only produced 60 rushing yards on 18 attempts for 3.3 yards per attempt. They need to do a better job of creating more time and space to get the running game more involved.
The sacks came from all over the place, but there were two each off the edge from Campbell on the left side and one from Morgan Moses and Mike Onwenu off a twist on the right side.