FOXBORO – Mike Vrabel’s Patriots ran out of gasoline as rain poured down on Gillette Stadium in an unseasonably cool season opener.
Quarterback Drake Maye and the remainder of the Patriots’ offense have been practically blanked within the second half of a 20-13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, and Vrabel’s tenure as Patriots head coach begins with a loss.
Vrabel preached successful the second half heading into Sunday’s recreation. That didn’t occur.
“No, it certain didn’t,” Vrabel stated Sunday. “Once more, it’s irritating. We’ve got to know how typically these video games are going to go. We simply didn’t do sufficient within the second half. Give them credit score. We actually didn’t do sufficient.”
Main 10-7 after the second quarter, the Patriots’ second-half drives ended with an interception, two three-and-outs, 4 punts and a last-minute discipline objective.
Maye went a disappointing 30-of-46 for 287 yards with a landing and an interception. He was strip-sacked within the second half and struggled underneath stress with an interception. He additionally added 4 speeding makes an attempt for 11 yards.
The Raiders got here out of the gates firing on all cylinders, marching 66 yards down the sphere on six performs and scoring on a 26-yard landing go from Geno Smith to Tre Tucker. The Patriots obtained somewhat too cute on the scoring play, dropping defensive tackles Christian Barmore and Milton Williams and speeding cornerback Marcus Jones and linebacker Robert Spillane. That left Tucker extensive open for the rating.
The Patriots couldn’t capitalize on a 41-yard kick return from working again Antonio Gibson, going three-and-out and punting on their opening drive.
They obtained the ball again shortly, nonetheless, when security Jaylinn Hawkins picked off Smith on a goal to tight finish Brock Bowers that cornerback Carlton Davis III tipped within the air.
The Patriots tied it up on their ensuing drive with quarterback Drake Maye hitting extensive receiver DeMario Douglas in the long run zone for a 3-yard landing go. Maye hit Hunter Henry (27 yards) and extensive receiver Kayshon Boutte (24 yards) for giant performs on the drive.
The Raiders punted on consecutive drives. Patriots rookie kicker Andres Borregales missed a 40-yard discipline objective on the Patriots’ third offensive collection however nailed a 35-yarder on the two-minute warning within the first half.
The Raiders missed a 58-yard discipline objective try to finish the half. The Patriots obtained to begin the second half, and Maye was picked off on a passing try to extensive receiver Stefon Diggs when he was hit whereas throwing. The errant go was picked off by Raiders S Isaiah Pola-Mao. The Raiders have been capable of drive down the sphere and scored on a 3-yard landing run by rookie working again Ashton Jeanty to make the rating 14-10.
The Raiders prolonged their result in 17-10 on Daniel Carson’s 51-yard FG after the Patriots went three-and-out for his or her third drive in 4 offensive collection. The fourth drive led to an interception.
The Patriots punted once more, gaining simply 19 yards on six performs. The Raiders prolonged their result in 20-10 after one other discipline objective from Carlson.
The Patriots have been capable of drive down the sphere for a discipline objective within the closing minute of the sport, however they didn’t convert an onside kick and that was that.
“We had too many missed alternatives, too many penalties, the turnover, and issues that simply – didn’t benefit from dangerous soccer after which have been capable of have dangerous soccer ourselves,” Vrabel stated. “We’re by no means going to simply accept not successful. We’ve got to embrace transferring on, and now we have to do this shortly and get this stuff mounted and go on the highway and a division opponent.”
BEST
OLB Harold Landry III: The Week 1 returns on signing Landry to a three-year contract in free company this offseason are optimistic. Landry was within the backfield all afternoon and completed the sport with 2.5 sacks. Fellow beginning edge defender Ok’Lavon Chaisson obtained the opposite half-sack.
Landry has in depth expertise with Vrabel and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, permitting him to look snug instantly in Week 1.
WR Kayshon Boutte: Coaches, teammates and govt vice chairman Eliot Wolf puffed up Boutte all offseason. We all know why. After a robust coaching camp, Boutte led extensive receivers in snaps and caught six passes on eight targets for 103 yards.
Extensive receivers coach Todd Downing noticed Boutte enhance his professionalism this offseason. He was constant and reliable in Sunday’s win. Diggs continues to be anticipated to be the Patriots’ high extensive receiver this season, but when Boutte retains churning out performances like this one, then that would change.
CB Carlton Davis III: One other high free-agent addition, Davis obtained his arms on two passes. One, he tipped up for an interception by security Jaylinn Hawkins. On one other, he broke up a go supposed for extensive receiver Donte Thornton Jr. on third all the way down to drive a punt. Davis did let up an extended catch Thornton close to the top of the fourth quarter.
WORST
Ok Andres Borregales: It wasn’t all dangerous, however Borregales missed a 40-yard discipline objective. He did hit an additional level and 35- and 44-yard discipline targets.
S Jaylinn Hawkins: Hawkins intercepted Smith off of Davis’ deflection, registered a sack and had a run-stuff. However he additionally let up the Raiders’ opening landing to Tre Tucker and was penalized 15 yards on pointless roughness, main to a different Raiders landing rating. He additionally let up a 38-yard catch and run to Bowers when he obtained tied up in protection.
LT Will Campbell: The rookie left sort out seemed fantastic by way of the primary three quarters, however he was flagged twice for false begins and allowed a strip sack. Luckily, he jumped on the ball for the restoration.
P Bryce Baringer: Baringer, normally regular, had three dangerous punts: a 39-yarder to the Raiders’ 26-yard line, a 41-yarder to the Raiders’ 20 and a 21-yarder to the Raiders’ 35.
What else we realized:
- These anticipating an immedate second-year leap from Maye have been disillusioned. He appeared to wrestle within the moist circumstances, particularly within the second half.
- Security Kyle Dugger began however performed sparingly behind Hawkins and rookie security Craig Woodson. Security Dell Pettus helped shadow Bowers in dime.
- Rhamondre Stevenson noticed significantly extra snaps than rookie working again TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson was nonetheless the more practical runner.
- Diggs solely performed a part-time function in his Patriots debut, getting back from a torn ACL suffered in late October 2024. He caught six passes on seven targets for 57 yards.
- Milton Williams was additionally disruptive in the midst of the Patriots’ protection, offering common stress towards Smith and serving to to drive sacks.
- Keion White performed in a rotational function behind Landry and Chaisson.
- Apply squad callup Corey Ballentine performed gunner reverse Brenden Schooler. That function was nonetheless up for grabs as of Thursday.
- Douglas caught two passes on six targets for -2 yards with the landing. He additionally had a drop.
- The Patriots got here away from the sport with no main accidents. Boutte and Landry each went into the blue medical tent however emerged and returned to the sport.
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