Once the NFL released the 2025 schedules, the Patriots looked to have gotten a fairly easy start by welcoming the Raiders to Gillette Stadium in Week 1. It allowed Josh McDaniels to (hopefully) accomplish revenge against the team that fired him midseason in 2023, and also be a potentially easy win for the home to start the season off on the right foot.
That has been the consensus all offseason, despite both teams undergoing massive changes over the last few months from their head coaches to their rosters. The Patriots appear to have the advantage at several positions, pass rusher not being one of them, but their defense is expected to have a good day against the competition.
There was a shift in that mentality when it was announced last week that the Raiders had signed veteran receiver Amari Cooper, only for him to abruptly retire earlier this week. That meant only Jakobi Meyers was truly worthy of worrying about going into Sunday's game, but another ex-Patriot just signed with Las Vegas just days ahead of kickoff.
The Patriots shouldn't have to worry about another former receiver taking the field with the Raiders this week
Now that it's clear Meyers will be QB Geno Smith's WR1 on Sunday, there is some belief that McDaniels' knowledge of his strengths and weaknesses will benefit the Patriots' defense throughout the game. The same can hopefully be said about newly signed Phillip Dorsett, who signed to the team's practice squad on Friday.
The 32-year-old played with the Patriots from 2017 to 2019, winning a Super Bowl with Tom Brady under center, and recorded 73 receptions for 881 yards and eight touchdowns during those three seasons.
Although he was never a superstar player, no matter what team he played for, he has been reliable throughout his career and certainly gives Smith another option to work with if the team chooses to elevate him ahead of the game. However, his production has been inconsistent over the last five years, having spent time with four teams since 2021 and sat out for the 2024 season.
All of that suggests it's unlikely he will be on the field for Sunday's matchup, especially since the Raiders have an impressive tight end duo in Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer for the Patriots to worry about.
There's no need for Dorsett if those two can be the ones to keep the Raiders in the game, making it a tall task for the Patriots' defense to deal with for the entire game.