— In Foxborough, the New England Patriots opened their 2025 season with a 20-13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Quarterback Drake Maye threw for 287 yards (30-of-46) with one touchdown and one interception, but key takeaways included a second-half Raiders surge, a game-clinching Geno Smith performance (362 passing yards), and impactful plays from both defenses.
Key Takeaways
- Raiders beat the Patriots 20-13 in Week 1 at Gillette Stadium.
- Drake Maye finished 30-of-46 for 287 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT; Geno Smith passed for 362 yards.
- Kayshon Boutte led New England with 103 receiving yards; Hunter Henry had 66 yards.
- Jaylinn Hawkins recorded a sack and an interception; Harold Landry III had 2.5 sacks.
- Ashton Jeanty scored his first career touchdown after a third-quarter interception set up the Raiders.
- Special teams made late field goals by Andy Borregales (35, 44 yards) but New England could not close the deficit.
Verified Facts
The game opened with a long Raiders drive capped by a touchdown following a 23-yard pass to Brock Bowers on the first play and several chunk plays. New England answered late in the first when a tipped pass from Geno Smith was intercepted by Jaylinn Hawkins, leading to a 14-play drive and a DeMario Douglas rushing score to tie the game at 7-7.
Maye spread the ball effectively: Kayshon Boutte finished with 103 yards on six receptions, Stefon Diggs had 57 yards on six catches, and Hunter Henry added 66 yards on four receptions. Rookie TreVeyon Henderson led rushing for the Patriots with 27 yards on five carries and also caught six passes for 24 yards.
Las Vegas shifted momentum in the third quarter when Isaiah Pola-Mao intercepted Maye and set up Ashton Jeanty’s first career rushing touchdown. The Raiders added a 51-yard and a 28-yard field goal drive between the third and fourth quarters to build a multi-score lead.
Defensively New England pressured Geno Smith throughout; Harold Landry III had 2.5 sacks and the team totaled four sacks. Jaylinn Hawkins’ early sack and interception were notable plays, but the Patriots’ pass rush and takeaways were not enough to overcome Las Vegas’ late conversions.
| Player | Stat |
|---|---|
| Drake Maye | 30-46, 287 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Geno Smith | 362 passing yards |
| Kayshon Boutte | 6 receptions, 103 yards |
| Brock Bowers | 5 receptions, 103 yards |
Context & Impact
Opening-week losses tend to matter less in the standings but can reveal early-season strengths and weaknesses. New England showed playmaking potential in the passing game but also showed vulnerability to turnovers and third-quarter momentum swings.
For Drake Maye, the stat line demonstrates the ability to move the offense and distribute the ball, yet the interception returned possession to Las Vegas at a critical juncture. The offensive line will want to limit sacks and strip plays that led to short-term swings.
On defense, the Patriots generated consistent pressure with Landry and Hawkins making splash plays, suggesting a defensive front that can disrupt opponents. However, Las Vegas still found big-yardage completions to key targets, underscoring a need for improved coverage on intermediate routes.
Potential season effects
- Early evaluation point for Maye as the team balances passing volume with ball security.
- Defensive pressure is a positive sign but coverage consistency will drive future outcomes.
- Special teams produced points but did not change the final margin enough—field-goal range performance will remain important.
Official Statements
“We have a long way to go,” said head coach Mike Vrabel after the game.
Mike Vrabel, Head Coach
“Just got to be better on my part,” said Drake Maye on his turnover and the team’s execution.
Drake Maye, Patriots QB
Unconfirmed
- Full extent of Kayshon Boutte’s in-game injury and whether it will require further testing or missed time (status unconfirmed).
- Any internal roster changes or practice-designated injury outcomes from this Week 1 game that have not yet been announced.
Bottom Line
The Patriots displayed promising offensive yardage and defensive pressure but fell short when turnovers and timely Raiders conversions decided the outcome. Week 1 highlighted areas to tighten—ball security, pass protection and limiting big third-down plays—while confirming several individual playmakers who can grow through the season.