The 2025 NFL season kicks off with an intriguing Week 1 game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the New England Patriots. Hosted at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, this game is set for a 1:00 PM kickoff on Sunday, September 7, 2025. Fans can catch the action live on CBS, with weather conditions predicted to include light rain and a cool breeze.
Both teams enter the regular season with a mix of optimism and questions following their preseason performances. The Las Vegas Raiders, under the guidance of head coach Pete Carroll, struggled in the preseason, losing all three games, including a 20-10 defeat to the Arizona Cardinals. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots, led by head coach Mike Vrabel, experienced a more varied preseason, highlighted by a convincing 48-18 win against the Washington Commanders.
As the game approaches, the Patriots have the edge in betting odds with a -147 moneyline. The Raiders, at +124, face a challenging task on the road. The spread sits at -2.5 in favor of the home team, with an over/under total of 43.5 points, reflecting the competitive nature expected in this early-season encounter.
Patriots vs Raiders At a Glance
- Game Location: Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, USA
- Weather Conditions: Cool day with light rain and a light breeze
- TV Broadcast: CBS
- Kickoff Time: Sunday, September 7, 2025, at 1:00 PM (Afternoon Game)
- Betting Odds: Patriots favored with a moneyline of -147
- Point Spread: Patriots -2.5
New England Patriots Gear Up for Season Opener Against the Raiders
Offensive Struggles
The New England Patriots’ offense had a challenging 2024 regular season, finishing 28th in scoring with a total of 289 points. Their passing game was particularly weak, ranking last with just 2,994 yards. However, their rushing game showed some promise, ranking 13th with 1,969 yards.
The Patriots will need to rely on running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who ranked 26th in rushing yards last season with 801 yards. Stevenson’s ability to find gaps and break tackles will be crucial to improving their overall offensive output.
Defensive Insights
Defensively, the Patriots allowed 417 points last season, placing them 21st in the league. They recorded 28 sacks, which ranked them 18th, showing that their pass rush can still disrupt opposing quarterbacks. The secondary, led by Kyle Dugger, contributed with seven interceptions, ranking 12th overall.
The Patriots’ defense also managed to recover five fumbles, ranking 10th. Their ability to force turnovers will be key in keeping the Raiders’ offense in check.
Preseason Performance
During the 2025 preseason, the Patriots showed mixed results. They started strong with a 48-18 win over the Washington Commanders, showcasing a balanced attack. In their next game, they managed a 20-12 win against the Minnesota Vikings, displaying a solid defensive performance.
However, the Patriots stumbled in their final preseason outing, losing 42-10 to the New York Giants. The team struggled to move the ball, with only 81 passing yards against the Giants’ 320.
Key Players to Watch
Quarterback Drake Maye will be one to watch as he looks to improve upon last season’s 2,276 passing yards. With Jacoby Brissett now with the Cardinals, Maye’s role becomes even more crucial.
On the receiving end, DeMario Douglas led the team with 66 receptions and 621 yards in the previous season. He will need to step up to help the Patriots’ passing game get back on track.
Betting Trends
- The Patriots were 1st in rushing touchdowns with Rhamondre Stevenson leading the charge.
- Drake Maye ranked 24th in the league for passing yards in the 2024 season.
- Hunter Henry contributed as a key tight end with 66 receptions, leading the team in his position.
Las Vegas Raiders: A Detailed Look into the Upcoming Game
Offensive Insights
The Las Vegas Raiders’ offense ranked 27th in scoring during the last regular season, accumulating 309 points. Their passing game showed more promise, ranking 13th with 3,797 passing yards. However, the rushing attack struggled significantly, ranking 31st with only 1,357 yards.
Third-down efficiency was also an area of concern, with the team converting only 34.8% of their attempts, placing them 26th in the league. These numbers indicate a need for improvement in both the running game and key conversion scenarios. Expect the Raiders to focus on establishing a more balanced offensive attack in the upcoming game.
Defensive Dynamics
On defense, the Raiders allowed 434 points, ranking 24th in the league. Despite the high point total allowed, the defense performed well in creating turnovers, with 10 interceptions and 3 fumbles recovered, both ranking 10th and 11th respectively.
The team also ranked 11th in sacks with 38, showcasing a solid pass rush. However, they allowed 5,663 opponent offensive yards, indicating room for improvement in overall yardage defense. The Raiders’ defensive strategy will likely focus on maintaining pressure on the quarterback while tightening up yardage defense.
Preseason Performance
The Raiders faced challenges during the preseason, losing all three games. Against the Arizona Cardinals, they fell 20-10 despite outgaining the Cardinals in first downs and passing yards. The rushing defense allowed 210 yards, highlighting an area for improvement.
In a close game against the San Francisco 49ers, the Raiders lost 22-19. Despite the loss, the team managed to outperform the 49ers in rushing yards. Their final preseason game ended in a 23-23 tie against the Seattle Seahawks, demonstrating the team’s potential for competitive play.
Key Players to Watch
Aidan O’Connell was a standout quarterback for the Raiders last season, throwing for 1,612 yards and 8 touchdowns in 9 games. Brock Bowers was a key target, with 112 receptions and 1,194 receiving yards, ranking 3rd and 8th in the league respectively.
On the defensive side, Cody Lindenberg and Andre Carter II showed potential with solid performances in the preseason. Lindenberg recorded 6 solo tackles and a sack against the Cardinals, while Carter II added another sack to his name.
Injury Report
The Raiders will be without key players Lonnie Johnson Jr. and Aidan O’Connell due to injuries. Johnson Jr. is out with a broken fibula, while O’Connell is sidelined with a wrist injury. Both players are on the injured reserve list and will miss at least four games.
On a positive note, Kenny Pickett and Kyu Blu Kelly are expected to return to action, as both were full participants in practice heading into Week 1. Their availability will bolster the team’s depth in key positions.
Team Betting Trends
- The Raiders have struggled to cover the spread in recent preseason games.
- The team’s offensive struggles have led to several low-scoring games.
- Defensive takeaways have been a bright spot, often impacting the total score.
Patriots vs Raiders Prediction: Patriots -2.5
The New England Patriots are set as the home favorites with a spread of -2.5 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Last season, the Patriots struggled offensively, ranking 32nd in passing yards, but their rushing game ranked 13th. With the advantage of playing at Gillette Stadium and the Raiders’ weak rushing defense, the Patriots have a solid opportunity to cover the spread.
The Raiders have a potent passing attack, ranking 13th in passing yards last season. However, their rushing offense was one of the weakest, ranking 31st, which could be a disadvantage in the expected wet conditions. The Patriots’ defense ranked 10th in fumbles recovered, which could be crucial given the forecast of light rain.
Historically, the Raiders have been successful against the Patriots, winning their last three encounters. However, this game offers the Patriots a chance to reverse the trend. Under Mike Vrabel’s leadership, expect New England to take advantage of the Raiders’ defensive vulnerabilities.
Given the Patriots’ defensive strengths and home-field advantage, they are likely to edge out the Raiders in a close game. With a projected final score favoring New England, the Patriots should cover the -2.5 spread.
- Patriots vs Raiders Prediction: Patriots -2.5
- Patriots vs Raiders Score: Patriots 24 – Raiders 20
