Week 1 will challenge Pete Carroll and the Las Vegas Raiders right from the start in what promises to be a fierce matchup in New England.
The Raiders open up a pivotal 2025 season in Foxborough against a New England Patriots team that looks nothing like the dynasty of old—but don’t mistake them for pushovers. Mike Vrabel’s squad is leaning into a smashmouth identity: a bruising, run-heavy approach; creative blocking from all positions; and a rookie running back in TreVeyon Henderson, who could be the X-factor both out of the backfield and on special teams.
For a Raiders defense that is still adapting to Pete Carroll’s system, this matchup will serve as a significant test.
Pete Carroll vs. Mike Vrabel, the Josh McDaniels effect, and more…
History won’t provide much comfort for Vegas fans. The last time Carroll faced Vrabel was in 2021, when the Titans edged out Carroll’s Seahawks in an overtime thriller. Vrabel’s 1-0 record in their head-to-head matchup may seem like a minor detail, but it highlights his ability to out-scheme even the most experienced coaches.
Adding to the intrigue is Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who will have his first opportunity for revenge against the organization that let him go on Halloween. Anticipate McDaniels employing a full range of strategies to subtly remind the Raiders of their previous decision.
For the Raiders, stability at quarterback remains uncertain. With Aidan O’Connell on injured reserve, the team hastily traded for Kenny Pickett—an emergency move that highlights a quarterback room where the worst case is still in flux, while the best-case scenario features a Super Bowl winner within its ranks. National analysts, particularly those from The Athletic, express their disapproval, with one ranking the quarterback unit as the seventh-worst in the league.
However, Vegas has reasons to be optimistic. The offensive weapons have improved, the defense should be tougher under Carroll, and starting the season on the road provides an early chance to test their resilience. While Raiders-Patriots may not appear to be a marquee matchup on paper, the storylines and tension surrounding the game suggest it has the potential to be a fierce contest in Week 1.
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*Top Photo: Wade Vandervort /Las Vegas Sun