{"id":97194,"date":"2025-09-05T13:29:19","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T13:29:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=97194"},"modified":"2025-09-05T13:29:19","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T13:29:19","slug":"ready-7-wild-patriots-storylines-that-could-rewrite-the-raiders-game-and-shock-the-nfl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=97194","title":{"rendered":"Ready!!! 7 wild Patriots storylines that could rewrite the Raiders game and shock the NFL"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"article-hero\">\n<div class=\"article-hero__copy\">\n<div class=\"article-hero__copy-upper\">\n<div class=\"article-hero__default-inner\">\n<h1 class=\"article-hero__heading fluid\">Seven Storylines To Follow In Patriots\u2019 Season Opener Vs. Raiders<\/h1>\n<h3 class=\"article-hero__subheading h6\">It&#8217;s time for some football!<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div id=\"primary\" class=\"article__default-inner\">\n<div class=\"article__content-wrap\">\n<aside class=\"article__sidebar-left\">\n<div class=\"article__sidebar-links\">\n<ul class=\"author-links\" data-analytics-datalayer-category=\"MoreFromAuthor\">\n<li>\n<h5 class=\"team-underline boston-red-sox\">Boston Red Sox<\/h5>\n<p>Red Sox Reportedly Make Roster Decision On Struggling Reliever<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5 class=\"team-underline boston-red-sox\">Boston Red Sox<\/h5>\n<p>Red Sox&#8217;s Alex Cora Provides Injury Update On Roman Anthony<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5 class=\"team-underline new-england-patriots\">New England Patriots<\/h5>\n<p>Jabrill Peppers Sends Pointed Message Following Release From Patriots<\/li>\n<li>\n<h5 class=\"team-underline new-england-patriots\">New England Patriots<\/h5>\n<p>Patriots Prospect Preview: Eight College Players To Watch In Week 1<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p><main id=\"mainContent\" class=\"site-main article__content site-content\" role=\"main\"><\/p>\n<article id=\"post-2044156\" class=\"post-2044156 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-nesn-editorial tag-christian-gonzalez tag-drake-maye tag-efton-chism-iii tag-kayshon-boutte tag-mike-vrabel tag-treveyon-henderson teams-new-england-patriots\">\n<div class=\"entry-content\" data-analytics-datalayer-category=\"ArticleContentDetails\">\n<p>The New England Patriots will experience something familiar when they host the Las Vegas Raiders for a season-opening matchup at Gillette Stadium.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s the start of yet\u00a0<em>another<\/em>\u00a0new era\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Mike Vrabel will become the third consecutive head coach (Bill Belichick, Jerod Mayo) that tries to send the once-proud franchise back into the right direction \u2014 and it all starts at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re looking for some specific things to watch during the game, perhaps consider these seven storylines:<\/p>\n<h5 id=\"h-1-who-s-on-third-level\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. WHO\u2019S ON THIRD (LEVEL)?<\/h5>\n<p>Jabrill Peppers decidedly won\u2019t be.<\/p>\n<div class=\"nesn-in-content-ad\">\n<p class=\"nesn-in-content-ad__copy\">Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Patriots\u2019\u00a0shocking decision to release their former captain\u00a0\u2014 and someone who has been a primary defensive communicator for several seasons\u2014 brings about a few major questions in the secondary.<\/p>\n<p>Who will start games? Who is barking out coverage orders? How does the move affect the roles of Kyle Dugger, Dell Pettus and Brenden Schooler?<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ll be interested to find out the answers. Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson have been pointed toward as the primary duo heading into the season, which likely means we\u2019ll be seeing a heavy rotation including that trio we mentioned earlier \u2014 all of whom could still play significant roles depending on the game plan.<\/p>\n<h5 id=\"h-2-gonz-oh-no\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. GONZ-OH-NO!<\/h5>\n<p>Christian Gonzalez\u00a0almost certainly won\u2019t be ready\u00a0for Week 1.<\/p>\n<p>Gonzalez suffered a hamstring injury during training camp, and has since missed more than five weeks of practices trying to recover. The Patriots need to prepare for what looks to be a multiple-week absense from their best defensive player \u2014 which tosses a spotlight on the likes of Alex Austin and DJ James.<\/p>\n<p>James is perhaps the most interesting player who will be impacted by the absence, as he\u2019ll be forced into infrequent and uncomfortable opportunities as the top reserve cornerback.<\/p>\n<div class=\"nesn-in-content-ad\"><\/div>\n<h5 id=\"h-3-keepin-up-with-kelly\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. KEEPIN\u2019 UP WITH KELLY<\/h5>\n<p>Las Vegas offensive coordinator Chip Kelly is one of the forefathers of the hurry-up offense \u2014 and there\u2019s zero reason to think he won\u2019t continue using tempo in his return to the NFL.<\/p>\n<p>New England\u2019s depth will be tested early because of that fact, with the front-seven likely receiving reinforcements by way of the practice squad in an effort to keep everyone fresh.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019ll be interesting to see how Mike Vrabel elects to utilize his gameday elevations and inactives, with my guess being he leans toward giving the defense as many players as possible to work with.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-nesn-featured-articles featured-articles\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-nesn-repeater repeater featured-articles__items\">\n<div class=\"featured-articles__item\" data-analytics-datalayer-category=\"MultipleArticle_Block\">\n<div class=\"featured-articles__text\">\n<h4 class=\"featured-articles__title\">NFL Insider Picks Patriots To Make Playoffs<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"featured-articles__item\" data-analytics-datalayer-category=\"MultipleArticle_Block\">\n<figure class=\"featured-articles__image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s47719.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/01\/Patriots.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"featured-articles__text\">\n<h4 class=\"featured-articles__title\">Patriots Weather Forecast: Will Rain Dampen Season Opener?<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h5 id=\"h-4-who-s-special\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. WHO\u2019S SPECIAL?<\/h5>\n<p>The Patriots should continue to have one of the league\u2019s better special teams units under coordinator Jeremy Springer \u2014 but who will be the stars?<\/p>\n<p>Brenden Schooler, Elijah Ponder and Marte Mapu were particularly noticeable during the preseason, but there will be some veterans to slide into significant roles on those units. Kyle Dugger is particularly interesting to me, as that could be his way toward more consistent playing time.<\/p>\n<p>Marcus Jones, TreVeyon Henderson and Efton Chism III are interesting options at returner, though.<\/p>\n<div class=\"nesn-in-content-ad\">\n<p class=\"nesn-in-content-ad__copy\">Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h5 id=\"h-5-mayday-or-maye-s-day\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. MAYDAY OR MAYE\u2019S DAY?<\/h5>\n<p>Will Campbell, Jared Wilson, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu and Morgan Moses.<\/p>\n<p>The Patriots will rely on\u00a0<em>that<\/em>\u00a0group to protect the face of their franchise, and though it should be better than the unit we saw last season, the jury is still out.<\/p>\n<p>Drake Maye\u2019s early-season success will ride on that unit\u2019s ability to find consistency in the running game and hold up against some serious pass-rushers in Maxx Crosby, Malcolm Koonce, Tyree Wilson and old friend Adam Butler.<\/p>\n<h5 id=\"h-6-bully-the-bullies\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. BULLY THE BULLIES<\/h5>\n<p>The Raiders employ lead-footed linebackers Germaine Pratt, Elandon Roberts, Tommy Eichenberg and Jamal Adams \u2014 which is tremendous news for slot receivers and running backs.<\/p>\n<p>Josh McDaniels is already\u00a0at his best when featuring those guys, and should build the game plan around matching up some of his very best short-area route-runners \u2014 Henderson, DeMario Douglas and Stefon Diggs \u2014 on those linebackers throughout the afternoon. It\u2019ll be interesting to see whether or not Chism figures into those plans as early as Week 1.<\/p>\n<h5 id=\"h-7-boutte-s-duty\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. BOUTTE\u2019S DUTY<\/h5>\n<p>Kayshon Boutte is\u00a0suddenly a very real piece of the puzzle\u00a0at One Patriot Place.<\/p>\n<p>I didn\u2019t expect it, either.<\/p>\n<p>Boutte is certainly good enough to have a roster spot, but each practice throughout the summer provided at least one example of how he\u2019s developed into the top outside option for Maye \u2014 and very well could receive some serious opportunities against a cover-three heavy defense.<\/p>\n<p>Boutte should have some opportunities on hole shots \u2014 those balls you see where the quarterback and wide receiver connect between the cornerback playing the flag and a safety retreating to the deep third.<\/p>\n<p>Isaiah Pola-Mao and Jeremy Chinn aren\u2019t exactly Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/main><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Seven Storylines To Follow In Patriots\u2019 Season Opener Vs. Raiders It&#8217;s time for some football! Boston Red Sox Red Sox Reportedly Make Roster Decision On Struggling Reliever&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":97195,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-97194","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Ready!!! 7 wild Patriots storylines that could rewrite the Raiders game and shock the NFL - News 365<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=97194\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Ready!!! 7 wild Patriots storylines that could rewrite the Raiders game and shock the NFL - News 365\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Seven Storylines To Follow In Patriots\u2019 Season Opener Vs. 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