Week 1 of the NFL is finally here, and the New England Patriots open up the season at home when they take on the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Coming off a 4-13 season, the Patriots made several changes during the offseason, including the hiring of former player Mike Vrabel to be the head coach and making a splash during free agency, signing defensive lineman Milton Williams and wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
Entering this season, the Patriots' biggest concern is the wide receiver position, which has been lacking in recent years. Diggs is one of the new faces in the WR room, along with Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism III. Of the bunch, though, it's the four-time Pro Bowl playmaker who could completely flip the position group's narrative.
Stefon Diggs Can Change Patriots WR Room's Narrative
The Patriots signed Stefon Diggs to a three-year deal following a one-season stint with the Houston Texans that was cut short due to a torn ACL in Week 8. Before that, Diggs had tallied 47 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns, proving that he still had something left in the tank.
Diggs missed the preseason due to rehabbing his knee injury, but is set to play in Week 1. Even though some people are doubting the 31-year-old playmaker after his major injury, a strong performance against the Raiders would go a long way towards silencing the doubters.
Entering the opening week, with the Raiders employing a new scheme under head coach Pete Carroll, the Pats need to exploit the secondary that could still be ironing out some kinks. Although Diggs is aging and has suffered a major knee injury, he could find his groove again and put up some decent numbers. In his last two games against Las Vegas, Diggs has amassed 182 yards on 13 catches.
Combined with additions from the run game and other receiving threats, all signs point to a strong Patriots debut.
Much like his new wideout, quarterback Drake Maye is under some pressure in Week 1. Having said that, if the duo rises to the occasion and shows immediate chemistry, Patriots fans will have plenty of celebrating to do this week, and the WR room will no longer be a concern.