Last week’s SB Nation _Reacts_ survey showed that New England Patriots fans were an optimistic bunch heading into the 2025 NFL season. A [whooping 91 percent](/new-england-patriots-fan-survey/108790/patriots-fan-survey-results-nfl-week-1-raiders) claimed that they would feel good about the direction of the team ahead of Week 1, and it is not hard to see why — from Mike Vrabel headlining a new-look coaching staff, to a restocked roster, to the development of second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
Then came the season opener. The Patriots did jump to a 10-7 halftime lead, but things started to unravel over the third and fourth quarters resulting in a rather uninspiring 20-13 loss to the visiting Las Vegas Raiders.
Was that game merely a blip on the radar? Or a worrying display of a team not as good as initially thought? And does any of this change how you feel about the direction of the Patriots? Welcome to this week’s _Reacts_ survey.
_Please [sign up here](https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/EFIUQ7/) to participate in the weekly emailed surveys._