The Patriots are facing the Raiders in Mike Vrabel's first game as the coach of his former team.
The Patriots are facing the Raiders in Mike Vrabel's first game as the coach of his former team.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
After an offseason of change in Foxborough, football is finally back at Gillette Stadium.
The Mike Vrabel era officially kicks off on Sunday as the Patriots host the Raiders for the season opener at 1 p.m., with plenty of expectations for New England’s overhauled coaching staff and roster around second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
Las Vegas has a new look, too, with ex-Patriots coach Pete Carroll taking the reins this year and bringing QB Geno Smith over from Seattle in the process. The Raiders’ game plan will likely revolve a couple young pieces with star tight end Brock Bowers entering his second year and rookie running back Ashton Jeanty likely to get plenty of carries.
Cornerback Christian Gonzalez (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday’s opener, but rookie tackle Will Campbell (ankle) appears likely to play after being listed as questionable on Friday.
It might be a bit of a slog at Gillette Stadium with the morning’s steady rain expected to continue through kickoff.
We’ll have live updates, analysis, and commentary from Foxborough throughout the afternoon. Follow along.
pinned
Catch up on what you may have missed from the Globe’s Patriots writers this week.
Link copied
Should we hope that Mike Vrabel’s debut as Patriots coach goes as well as Jerod Mayo’s did? Actually, yes.
Patriots look for receivers to play their part in keeping pass rush away from Drake Maye
Playoffs might be a reach for Patriots, but here are six ways to measure success in 2025
It might not be the same dysfunctional Raiders coming to Foxborough on Sunday
Two rookies starting side-by-side on the offensive line? Ready or not, here it comes for the Patriots.
Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez ruled out for Sunday’s season opener against the Raiders
Patriots game day forecast: Pack that rain jacket — 11:00 a.m.
Link copied
By Ken Mahan
Football is back, and the Patriots have their home opener Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough against the Raiders. With the buzz of a new coaching staff and the year two jump for Drake Maye, it looks like the weather won’t be cooperating.
You may want to wear a sweater and pack a poncho. All signs point to cooler conditions Sunday afternoon with showers lingering from an exiting front. Otherwise, skies will be mostly cloudy with highs in the mid-60s during the game.
If you’re headed to the game, you will face a rainy late morning. Whether you’re the first car in the parking lot or staying after at Patriot Place to celebrate the first win of the season, showers will be steady, with dry spells slipping in between.
READ MORE
Emma Healy can be reached at emma.healy@globe.com or on X @ByEmmaHealy. Amin Touri can be reached at amin.touri@globe.com. Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow her @nicolecyang. Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at christopherprice.bsky.social. Ben Volin can be reached at ben.volin@globe.com.