Patriots Pregame Thread 2025 Raiders @ Patriots - Early thoughts

[PatsFan2]

It would be huge to see Maye get time to throw and post a nice game. Second choice, it will also be huge for him to settle for 150 yards and no TDs (if necessary) rather than try to do too much if the play's not there - just channeling recent Vrabes counseling,

The above stat line wouldn't be a good sign, mind you, but would come with a "taking the point" asterisk

No thanks Brissett Jr. 220yds for Maye should be the bare minimum: he's too talented for a 150yds game.

 

[Real fan 02]

That article is BAD and inaccurate. The whole premise is "The second-year passer had a rough supporting cast in 2024, and it doesn’t appear to be a whole lot better this season." That is ABSURD.

Game breaking rookie RB with a history of never fumbling. Better
Veteran RT with a history of solid play. Better: Jacobs was worst OL in the entire league.
LT drafted top 5 : Better, replacing Lowe who was average Pass Blocker and very bad run blocker.
LG and C are question marks but likely Better
Diggs: Better than anyone in 2025 they had
Coaching: Better
They are better at RB, WR, OL, OC and equal at TE.

I think the debate is how much better due to some unknowns.

How quickly will the players pick up what Josh wants them to with his complex offense?
Diggs is a true NFL #1 receiver, he was last year, he was the year before. He's not in the elite #1, like Chase or Jefferson but in the next tier. The only question is how he looks after the injury and a year older.
How much better will the line be?

When they went to Buffalo and almost won in 2024 here are the guys that played the most Offensive snaps outside Maye.

Line: Robinson, Brown, Lowe, Jacobs, Onwenu.
TE: Henry and Hooper
RB: Gibson and Stevensen
WR: Boutte and Bourne played more than Douglas

1/2 those players will not start/play significant minutes and 3 of those 6 were cut and won't even be a backup.

100% agreed. Speaking of Buffalo we have a better roster outside of QB and thier left tackle Dawson who's an all-pro. I don't think anyone's brought this up?..

 

[Real fan 02]

No thanks Brissett Jr. 220yds for Maye should be the bare minimum: he's too talented for a 150yds game.

Brissett couldn't even pass for 100 yards.. maye have the capacity to put up 220 in a half..

 

[PatsFan2]

100% agreed. Speaking of Buffalo we have a better roster outside of QB and thier left tackle Dawson who's an all-pro. I don't think anyone's brought this up?..

I hope we split with them this year.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

I’m not concerned about this. Maye’s strength is the deep ball, and they will take their shots with Boutte, Williams and Hollins. They won’t throw deep all day, but they will definitely throw deep enough to keep the Raiders honest.

Just as a note on this, his last 2 seasons at UNC Maye led the nation in big time throws.

Oh I agree, we will. Some other posters were suggesting we will have a training wheels offense with nothing but get open quick short throws. We won't do that, cause when that's all you do, it doesn't work. So I agree, our O will definitely have some middle to deep shots. When you have that threat, that's when the get open quick stuff really becomes effective.

 

[Real fan 02]

I hope we split with them this year.

Twin. Being honest it was even hard for BB to solve Josh Allen. I think we have better guys up front to deal with Allen. We should split with them. Buffalo defense has taken a step back and Allen will have to score 35 each game for them to win.

 

[mgteich]

100% agreed. Speaking of Buffalo we have a better roster outside of QB and thier left tackle Dawson who's an all-pro. I don't think anyone's brought this up?..

Yes, we have a solid roster. I like our 52-man roster plus Tavai. I think that our key need is veteran backup OG. Of course, we will improve again next year.
==================================
It is all up to Maye and the OL.

If they perform as near average players in the league, we are solid 2025 playoff contenders and even contenders for the division (certainly contenders next year).

 

[Real fan 02]

Yes, we have a solid roster. I like our 52-man roster plus Tavai. I think that our key need is veteran backup OG. Of course, we will improve again next year.
==================================
It is all up to Maye and the OL.

If they perform as near average players in the league, we are solid 2025 playoff contenders and even contenders for the division (certainly contenders next year).

Agreed. The OL has been abysmal last few seasons and now it at least seems respectable. Correct it is all up to Drake and the OL, I really like the tenacity Campbell presents. We have basically 4 new starters when the OL is ranked 32nd changea definitely had to be made.

 

[Triumph]

WTF does Polk have to do with it. He is possibly the worst wr in nfl history.
Maye hasn’t struggled at all.

You wanted to cut Hollins and keep Polk. Or, was it Baker who cleared waivers.

Oh no, Maye has looked awesome.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Oh I agree, we will. Some other posters were suggesting we will have a training wheels offense with nothing but get open quick short throws. We won't do that, cause when that's all you do, it doesn't work. So I agree, our O will definitely have some middle to deep shots. When you have that threat, that's when the get open quick stuff really becomes effective.

I agree, and unlike last year this coaching staff has the ability to make in game adjustments off of the looks they get from their opponents.

 

[mgteich]

Oh no, Maye has looked awesome.

Did I miss the online sale of rose-colored glasses?

 

[PatsFan2]

Did I miss the online sale of rose-colored glasses?

 

[Ring 6]

You wanted to cut Hollins and keep Polk. Or, was it Baker who cleared waivers.

Oh no, Maye has looked awesome.

Just making things up, as usual I see.
You have no credibility.

Yes Maye has looked fine.

 

[KCSVEN]

100% agreed. Speaking of Buffalo we have a better roster outside of QB and thier left tackle Dawson who's an all-pro. I don't think anyone's brought this up?..

I haven't gone down the starters, but QB and LT are 2 of the most important positions.
Also, I'm sure Buffalo depth is significantly better.

You do have a point in that, outside of Allen, who really scares you on offense or defense? Cook is a good player and Rousseau is a good on defense. Dawkins at LT is good and is better than anyone on the Pats. Overall, they do lack players you really need to game plan for outside the QB.

 

[Triumph]

Did I miss the online sale of rose-colored glasses?

They are free.

Just mention Patsfans .Com.

 

[Triumph]

Just making things up, as usual I see.
You have no credibility.

Yes Maye has looked fine.

You did want Polkie.

Back peddling is your specialty.

 

[Ring 6]

You did want Polkie.

Back peddling is your specialty.

You are lying. I was the first and biggest anti Polk fan.
You need to take reading comprehension classes. Or perhaps better yet, honesty and integrity classes.

 

[jmt57]

Some Tuesday headlines from Raiderville

Building up big: Spytek’s 1st Raiders roster full of defensive linemen

Raiders general manager John Spytek wants to build through the trenches. His first 53-man roster showed he’s following up his words with action.

www.reviewjournal.com

Raiders just made stance on Cam Miller clear after puzzling new quarterback signing

The Las Vegas Raiders signed quarterback Jeff Driskel to the practice squad, which shows a lack of confidence in rookie Cam Miller ahead of the 2025 NFL season.

justblogbaby.com

Raiders Insider Believes One Rookie WR in Las Vegas is in Line for a Bigger Role in 2025 - Raiders Beat

The Raiders spent two draft picks on wide receivers in the 2025 draft and...

www.raidersbeat.com

The Raiders spent two draft picks on wide receivers in the 2025 draft and throughout most of OTAs and training camp, it has been fourth-round wideout Dont’e Thornton that’s been getting the most attention from a media standpoint.

“Thornton is a developing wideout who displayed big-play ability last season at Tennessee,” league insider Tony Pauline wrote in June. “He’s tall, sure-handed and fast, timing 4.30 during combine workouts and playing to that speed on the field. His upside is incredible, and two years from now, people will wonder why he slid into Day 3.”

Former TCU wide receiver Jack Bech was drafted in the second round, but it has been Thornton that’s been getting the first-team reps and Bech has primarily been with the second team.

Bech has been asked to be the more versatile receiver in Chip Kelly’s offense and according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vinny Bonsignore, it looks like Bech is buried a little behind veteran wide receiver Jakobi Meyers.

“It feels like as we sit here today, Dont’e Thornton is going to get a little bit more playing time than Jack Bech,” Bonsignore said on the Vegas Nation First and 10 podcast.

Raiders Could Face Patriots Without Star Player After Injury Update

The New England Patriots could face the Las Vegas Raiders without a star player after a worrying injury update ahead of their matchup.

heavy.com

Pete Carroll will have a revamped wide receiver group with the newly signed Amari Cooper being the latest addition. Moreover, Jakobi Meyers will return to New England to face the Patriots after spending the first four years of his career there.

Ahead of this contest, Caroll gave an update on Cooper and the rest of the group as they prepare for Week 1.

“Well, he’s been a great player,” Caroll said on August 28. “He’s been a great performer. He’s made a ton of big plays in big situations. It’s not beyond his scope to come up and make the clutch play at the right time. He’s big and strong, runs fantastic routes, and has always been a playmaker. So, we thought a chance to add a guy like that with experience, really to help our young guys, might really suit us well.

“And so, for Dont’e (Thornton) on the outside, they’ll be doing a lot of the same stuff. I think Amari’s (Cooper) way can affect him and help him come along. There’s a lot of pressure for him to be the only X over there that we’re kind of going with, and so I think this really balances us out well. And I hope it really suits Jack (Bech) and Dont’e.”

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Some Tuesday headlines from Raiderville

Building up big: Spytek’s 1st Raiders roster full of defensive linemen

Raiders general manager John Spytek wants to build through the trenches. His first 53-man roster showed he’s following up his words with action.

www.reviewjournal.com

Raiders just made stance on Cam Miller clear after puzzling new quarterback signing

The Las Vegas Raiders signed quarterback Jeff Driskel to the practice squad, which shows a lack of confidence in rookie Cam Miller ahead of the 2025 NFL season.

justblogbaby.com

Raiders Insider Believes One Rookie WR in Las Vegas is in Line for a Bigger Role in 2025 - Raiders Beat

The Raiders spent two draft picks on wide receivers in the 2025 draft and...

www.raidersbeat.com

The Raiders spent two draft picks on wide receivers in the 2025 draft and throughout most of OTAs and training camp, it has been fourth-round wideout Dont’e Thornton that’s been getting the most attention from a media standpoint.

“Thornton is a developing wideout who displayed big-play ability last season at Tennessee,” league insider Tony Pauline wrote in June. “He’s tall, sure-handed and fast, timing 4.30 during combine workouts and playing to that speed on the field. His upside is incredible, and two years from now, people will wonder why he slid into Day 3.”

Former TCU wide receiver Jack Bech was drafted in the second round, but it has been Thornton that’s been getting the first-team reps and Bech has primarily been with the second team.

Bech has been asked to be the more versatile receiver in Chip Kelly’s offense and according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vinny Bonsignore, it looks like Bech is buried a little behind veteran wide receiver Jakobi Meyers.

“It feels like as we sit here today, Dont’e Thornton is going to get a little bit more playing time than Jack Bech,” Bonsignore said on the Vegas Nation First and 10 podcast.

Raiders Could Face Patriots Without Star Player After Injury Update

The New England Patriots could face the Las Vegas Raiders without a star player after a worrying injury update ahead of their matchup.

heavy.com

Pete Carroll will have a revamped wide receiver group with the newly signed Amari Cooper being the latest addition. Moreover, Jakobi Meyers will return to New England to face the Patriots after spending the first four years of his career there.

Ahead of this contest, Caroll gave an update on Cooper and the rest of the group as they prepare for Week 1.

“Well, he’s been a great player,” Caroll said on August 28. “He’s been a great performer. He’s made a ton of big plays in big situations. It’s not beyond his scope to come up and make the clutch play at the right time. He’s big and strong, runs fantastic routes, and has always been a playmaker. So, we thought a chance to add a guy like that with experience, really to help our young guys, might really suit us well.

“And so, for Dont’e (Thornton) on the outside, they’ll be doing a lot of the same stuff. I think Amari’s (Cooper) way can affect him and help him come along. There’s a lot of pressure for him to be the only X over there that we’re kind of going with, and so I think this really balances us out well. And I hope it really suits Jack (Bech) and Dont’e.”

Obvously Pete Carroll does not think much of J Myers at the X.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Advantage Las Vegas

The Pats may actually be a better team, but this will be the first time they've played along side each other

With the lack of prep in todays NFL most September games resemble the pre-season, which certainly means teams can get a surprise win - but in this case the Pats are a fresher re-build and it will take some time for them to mesh

Let's just hope that Maye stays healthy