Leading up to this game, Mike Vrabel placed a heavy emphasis on 2nd half execution against the Raiders.
That message didn’t quite get through to the team, as Vrabel’s Patriots were outscored 13-3 during the 2nd half en route to a 20-13 loss.
“It’s frustrating,” Vrabel said postgame. “We have to understand how sometimes these games are going to go… We had too many missed opportunities, too many penalties, the turnover, and things that didn’t take advantage of bad football, and then were able to have bad football ourselves.”
New England got off to an anemic start, allowing a six-play, 66-yard touchdown drive before going three-and-out. The defense seized momentum with an interception on the next drive, and the offense paid off their effort with a 12-play scoring drive. The Raiders’ offense would punt on each of its next three drives, but the Patriots’ offense went on to miss a 40-yard field goal, make a 35-yarder, then go three-and-out on a botched end-of-half situation.
The second half got off to a promising start, with Drake Maye and company marching towards Las Vegas territory. But a protection lapse contributed to a Maye pick, and like the Patriots earlier in the game, the Raiders turned the takeaway into six points. Las Vegas then sandwiched a pair of field goal drives between punts, while New England kicked a desperate field goal before failing to secure an onside kick.
“They mixed in some pressure and a little bit of mixed coverage,” Vrabel said of his offense’s 2nd-half struggles. “But again, give them credit. We’ll have to come back and we’ll have to be better and more balanced and be able to run the football without making it 1st-and-20. We overcame some of those, but it was just too difficult. Again, it’s a start. Not the one that we wanted. We’ve got a long way to go, and we’re going to be resolved to get it fixed, and the people that are here are going to be committed to getting it fixed together.”
The Patriots finished the game with nine penalties for 70 yards, including multiple holds and special teams infractions. The offense went 1-3 in the Red Zone while going 4-14 on third downs, and the run game averaged just 3.3 yards on 18 carries. The defense sacked Geno Smith four times, held Ashton Jeanty to a 2.0-yard average on 19 runs, and gave up five conversions on 13 on third downs, but they also allowed 362 passing yards (including 103 receiving yards to Brock Bowers) missed too many tackles, and failed to make some key stops.
“We’ll see what kind of football team we have, what kind of leaders we have, to be able to come back in here and get to work. I think that’ll be the true test. We always talk about culture and everything else. We’ll see where we’re at as a culture and as a team and if we have guys that want to work and stick together. It’ll be a big challenge to do that.”
With the Patriots showing they still have a long way to go before returning to legitimacy, here are a few players who helped and hurt their stock against the Raiders.
Stock Up: Harold Landry
Many were skeptical of Harold Landry’s ability to rush the passer after a down 2024. The first-time captain responded by posting 2.5 sacks in his first game with New England.
Landry’s first sack may have been more of a clean-up effort, and his last came on a loop inside where Milton Williams drew extra attention, but the edge rusher also had some decisive wins. Jaylinn Hawkins’ sack was due in part to a quick win from Landry against D.J. Glaze, and Landry beat the right tackle again on a bull rush for his second sack.
K'Laivon Chaisson and Harold Landry sack Geno once again pic.twitter.com/PqJcJiu2Q5
— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) September 7, 2025
Landry also made an impact in the run game, combined with Craig Woodson for a tackle for loss to end the first quarter.
Stock Down: Drake Maye
Maye had his moments, including highlighted by a 3rd & 10 dig to Kayshon Boutte, a back-shoulder seam to Hunter Henry, and a drop in the bucket on DeMario Douglas‘ touchdown. Unfortunately, Maye’s sporadic accuracy remains a significant concern, contributing to an 80.6 passer rating.
The sophomore was amped up on the Patriots’ first drive, passing up an open Stefon Diggs for a one-yard scramble before sailing a third down throw to Douglas. Maye would go on to miss Douglas badly just before the receiver’s score, deliver a high ball to Henry that was nearly picked, throw behind Rhamondre Stevenson while trying to flick a checkdown, and miss over the middle to Mack Hollins. Maye also came close to losing two fumbles on Maxx Crosby hits and may have walked into a sack.
Maye was hit on his interception, which clearly affected his throw, so I give him some grace there. He was also hitting his stride before the turnover, and a more balanced plan and play-calling would go a long way in making the quarterback’s life easier. That said, his failure to consistently take what was there at times is concerning and must improve moving forward.
Stock Up: Kayshon Boutte
Kayshon Boutte was one of the Patriots’ most pleasant surprises this summer, becoming a reliable security blanket in critical moments. That offseason work translated in the season opener, as Boutte finished with six catches on eight targets for 103 yards.
Whoa what a catch by Boutte pic.twitter.com/gBWMIEox5w
— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) September 7, 2025
Each of Boutte’s 1st half catches came in long yardage situations, including 24 yards on a 3rd & 10 and a pair of 2nd & 15 conversions. Boutte also hauled in two well-executed back-shoulder fades along the sidelines, and he came back into the game after suffering an injury early.
Stock Down: Tackling
The Patriots were expected to at the very least be consistent tacklers under Vrabel. That wasn’t the case against the Raiders, particularly down the spine of the defense. Veterans Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, and Jaylinn Hawkins appeared to miss multiple tackles.
These gaffs contributed to Jakobi Meyers‘ 97 yards on eight catches, and while Jeanty was kept in check, his touchdown was a prime example of insufficient tackling on what should’ve been a run stuff.
Stock Down: Special Teams
Coordinator Jeremy Springer’s group came up short in multiple phases this afternoon.
Both of Dylan Laube’s kick returns went for over 30 yards, including the first return of the game.
Andy Borregales made his second field goal attempt, but missed his first in a continuation of what was an up-and-down end to the summer.
Bryce Baringer was called out by Vrabel for punting just 21 yards and out of bounds on 4th & 10 with 4.53 left (though the call was still fairly questionable). Baringer ended the game averaging just over 40 yards per punt.
Stock Up: Carlton Davis
Carlton Davis lived up to his contract in place of Christian Gonzalez, most notably causing Jaylinn Hawkins‘ interception by tipping a throw to Brock Bowers.
TIP DRILL HAWK 🙌
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/UY2qa7K1iq
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 7, 2025
Davis almost got a pick of his own after diagnosing a dig on 3rd & 20, and he helped set up Marcus Jones on a third down stop by aggressively triggering against a screen. The veteran’s only glaring lapse was allowing Donte Thornton to get behind him on 3rd & 20 during the Raiders’ final possession, and he still forced the receiver to make a tough catch.