Looking at the Patriots' 2025 schedule, it has already been deemed one of the easiest stretches of games for the season, leading many analysts to suggest it could propel them into wild-card territory by the end of the year. They kick things off against the Raiders on Sunday, who are also coming off a 4-13 record and are slowly but surely rebuilding their team to hopefully be competitive in the AFC.
Despite their nearly equal present and future, the Patriots are considered the favorites to win the season opener, the first time they've held that label in over a year. They weren't a frontrunner in any game throughout the 2024 season, so the fact that they already are in Week proves just how much work Mike Vrabel has done to improve their chances this year.
That adds a bit of optimism going into the matchup with Las Vegas, yet at the same time, it shouldn't warrant the home team overlooking their competition. Despite what might look easier on paper, the Raiders are not a joke of a team, and some players are already admitting that in the days leading up to the game.
Robert Spillane says the quiet part out loud about the Patriots' upcoming matchup with the Raiders
As one of the many players who previously played for the Raiders, Robert Spillane couldn't have a better understanding of just how tough and competitive the team is, despite being on the opposite side this season.
He acknowledged that while speaking to reporters earlier this week, he pointed out some of their most talented players, referring to tight end Brock Bowers, rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, and wide receiver Amari Cooper, who will be a tough matchup for the Patriots' defense come Sunday.
“The Raiders are a tough team; they have playmakers all over the field. They have one of the best tight ends, [Brock Bowers], and RB [Ashton Jeanty]. It will be a great challenge for us as a defense.”
— Vegas Sports Today (@VegasSportsTD) September 2, 2025
Former Raiders LB Robert Spillane, now a captain with the Patriots, on facing… pic.twitter.com/pNmTsXzFwR
It will be a tall task for a nearly all-new Patriots defense, giving them a tricky offense to counteract right at the start of the year. And unfortunately, at least as of Wednesday, it's looking like they'll have to do it without superstar cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
He suffered a hamstring injury in late July and hasn't practiced since, including this week. Vrabel has provided mixed yet dry updates on his status for Sunday's game, but based on the fact that he has still not practiced, it's fair to assume we won't see Gonzalez on the field this weekend.
That puts more pressure on the rest of the secondary to step up in his absence, especially when they'll be assigned some impressive talent on the Raiders' offense.h
Fortunately, from what we've heard from players so far, they're clearly not underestimating how good the Raiders can be. The outcome of the game will be a big factor in how the rest of the season goes, and winning would certainly help morale right out of the gate, especially if Josh McDaniels can serve some revenge to the team that fired him nearly two years ago.