Sportsnaut
The Las Vegas Raiders picked up a 20-13 victory over the New England Patriots. Geno Smith flexed his big arm and deep-ball accuracy. Brock Bowers’ productive day ended with an injury scare. Head coach Pete Carroll pointed out something that needs improvement in the next outing.
Raiders Daily highlights the biggest takeaways from the team’s season-opening win in New England.
Raiders fans haven’t seen a potent, explosive passing attack in quite some time. So, they were delighted that offensive coordinator Chip Kelly dialed up aggressive plays to attack the New England Patriots over the top.
On Las Vegas’ first drive, Geno Smith threw a 26-yard pass to wide receiver Tre Tucker. Five Raiders pass-catchers finished with at least one 23-plus-yard reception, and those weren’t short catch-and-run plays.
Despite shaky pass protection against the Patriots’ blitz schemes, Smith threw for 362 yards, a touchdown and an interception with a 70.6 percent completion rate.
With Tucker and rookie Dont’e Thornton Jr. in three-receiver sets, Kelly can open up the playbook and force defenders to respect the Raiders’ speed on the perimeter.
Read: This Ain’t Your Grandpappy’s Raiders: Carroll, Smith, Lead Raiders to Big Opening Win
In the fourth quarter, All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers exited with a knee injury and didn’t return, which raised concerns. He racked up a team-leading 103 receiving yards before leaving the contest.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero spoke to Bowers, who said he’s “fine.”
Just talked to #Raiders TE Brock Bowers and he says he’s fine. Took a little hit on the knee, came out to get checked out. No concerns moving forward.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 7, 2025
In his postgame presser, head coach Pete Carroll said the team held Bowers out to watch how the game unfolded in the final minutes. Based on that statement, the star tight end may have been able to check back in if the team needed him for a comeback.
For now, it seems Bowers avoided a significant injury. He’ll have an extra day to rest with the Raiders’ next game coming up on September 15 in a Monday Night Football doubleheader.
Read: Reaction: Raiders 20, Patriots 13
Typically, a Carroll-coached team runs the ball efficiently, but that wasn’t the case last Sunday. Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty absorbed contact and contorted his body to cross the goal line for a touchdown in the third quarter, but he averaged two yards per carry. As a team, Las Vegas logged 2.3 yards per rush attempt.
After the game, Carroll pointed out that the Patriots’ aggressive attack at the line of scrimmage allowed the offense to pick up explosive gains off play-action designs, but he wants the ground game to be “a lot more formidable” going forward.
#Raiders coach Pete Carroll
Said even though they didn’t get the running...
