Kickoff: The Patriots open the 2025 regular season at home today against the Las Vegas Raiders. Expectations are high for this season but this will be a challenging game for the Patriots . We will have a pretty good idea of just what the Patriots could be this season after today. At least from an identity standpoint and how they play.

Here are four keys to today’s game.

1st Down: Heavy emphasis on the running game: The weather will be a factor today. It is expected to rain at least through the first half. Expect both teams to emphasize the running game, especially early on. The Patriots will feature a heavy dose of Rhamondre Stevenson, Tre’Veyon Henderson and Antonio Gibson today. Conversely, the Raiders will feature Ashton Jeanty a fair amount today.

2nd Down: Maye needs to have a day: Maye had a good training camp but definitely had his fair share of ups and downs. A good performance today would go a long way in instilling some confidence in both the coaching staff and the fan base. Maye needs to take the next step in terms of becoming a franchise quarterback. It starts today.

3rd Down: Win the line of scrimmage: All football games are won up front ultimately but this is especially true on days like today. The Patriots have to find a way to control the line of scrimmage. At the to e on offense by running the football effectively and force the Raiders into long down situations by stopping the run and keeping Jeanty in check.

4. Coaching matters: Mike Vrabel is making his Patriots debut and he is regarded as one of the best situational coaches in the NFL. He will face off against Pete Carroll who at 74, has seen a lot of football in his day. Carroll manages games well expect for not giving Marshawn Lynch the ball in Super Bowl XLIX. Vrabel will have to be bold today if the Patriots want to win this game. He will have to take chances and out coach Carroll.

Extra Point: The Patriots hold an 18-16-1 lead in the regular season against the Raiders. The teams have met three times in the playoffs, producing a memorable, classic encounter on each occasion. In 1976, the Patriots beat the Raiders, 48-17, in the regular season before losing a playoff game in Oakland, 24-21. The Patriots advanced to their first AFC Championship Game in 1985 after beating the Raiders, 27-20, in Los Angeles. In 2001, the Patriots beat Oakland, 16-13, in overtime in the last game ever played in Foxboro Stadium, en route to winning Super Bowl XXXVI. (Courtesy of the New England Patriots)

Final Drive: The Patriots are favored for a reason. They are the better team. They should take care of business and win this game today but they need to execute, take care of the football and manage the weather. If they can do those three things, they should start the season on the right foot with a win.