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Patriots

NFL: Week Three “Pre” “Views”

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New England Patriots (1-1) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Steelers -1.5, Total 44.5

Series Rewind: The regular-season series is knotted up 15-15 entering this weekend, but the Patriots have gotten the better of Pittsburgh in seven of their past eight meetings. The Steelers haven’t left Foxborough with a victory since 2008.

New England is coming off a 33-27 victory over Miami last week and will be attempting to win back-to-back games for the first time since the 2022 season. That was long before coach Mike Vrabel’s tenure, and he said he’s neither familiar nor concerned with that recent history. Drake Maye threw for 230 yards and two scores against Miami, and Rhamondre Stevenson led the Patriots in both rushing (54 yards) and receiving (88). The Steelers, for their part, are coming off a 31-17 defeat to Seattle; they gave up more than 30 points in each of the first two games and rank 28th in the league in run defense (299 yards allowed). Their defense could be missing linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle), cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring) and safety DeShon Elliott (knee), who have not practiced this week. Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez practiced this week for the first time since sustaining a hamstring injury July 28.

Carolina Panthers (0-2) vs. Atlanta Falcons (1-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (All Times Eastern)
FanDuel odds: Falcons -5.5, Total 43.5

Series Rewind: The NFC South foes have split their two-game series every season since 2020. But the home team has taken four of the past six games.

The Falcons got their first win of the season on “Sunday Night Football” last week but coach Raheem Morris wants them to treat every week like a prime-time show. The Panthers may not be the most inspiring opponent, but Carolina is preparing for its home opener after losses at Jacksonville and Arizona and scored an overtime win over Atlanta to end the 2024 season. Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw for 312 yards against Carolina in last year’s regular-season finale. Running back Bijan Robinson is second in the league with 292 yards from scrimmage (167 rushing, 125 receiving), and Morris dubbed Robinson “definitely the best player in football.” Carolina QB Bryce Young had the best game of his NFL career the last time he played the Falcons, completing 73.5 percent of his passes for 251 yards with three passing touchdowns and two rushing scores. Carolina is re-tooling its offensive front with two starting linemen going on IR: Cade Mays is shifting to center, while Chandler Zavala will start at right guard. The Falcons need a replacement for cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. (hamstring), who’s considered week-to-week.

Green Bay Packers (2-0) at Cleveland Browns (0-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Packers -7.5, Total 41.5

Series Rewind: This is the first meeting since the Packers beat Cleveland 24-22 in 2021. Green Bay has won six of the past seven meetings.

Cleveland has yet to force a turnover and Green Bay hasn’t coughed one up, but Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz geared the team up for plentiful chances to get their hands on the ball on Sunday. The Packers were aggressive pushing the ball down the field last week to beat Washington, and head coach Matt LaFleur surely took note of Lamar Jackson’s nine completions (and 14 attempts) on passes of at least 15 yards in the air. Green Bay is down one favored target in Jayden Reed (foot, clavicle surgeries) but fellow wide receiver Romeo Doubs and emerging standout Dontayvion Wicks (all six of his catches resulted in first downs) are more than adequate if TE Tucker Kraft is held out. Kraft underwent tests Thursday after a knee injury in practice but said he’s OK. The Browns share the NFL lead in pass attempts at 90 and found themselves in hurry-up, comeback mode at Baltimore last week when QB Joe Flacco flipped a pair of costly interceptions. Flacco has two touchdowns and three interceptions this season with two rookies leading the way. TE Harold Fannin has 12 receptions for 111 yards and RB Dylan Sampson has 11. Finding a way to slow down pass rushers Micah Parsons (Packers) and Myles Garrett (Browns) is imperative and no easy task for offensive lines dealing with injuries. Garrett leads the NFL with six tackles for loss and is tied for the league lead with 3.5 sacks.

Los Angeles Rams (2-0) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-0)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Eagles -3.5, Total 44.5

Series Rewind: Saquon Barkley wrecked the Rams last season, rushing for a franchise-record 255 yards and two TDs in a Week 12 win in Los Angeles and 205 yards and two TDs in a divisional playoff win.

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Barkley is off to a modest start this year and the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year will try to jump-start the defending champion Eagles’ humdrum offense in a matchup of NFC unbeatens. QB Jalen Hurts scored a tush-push TD in the Week 2 win at Kansas City but is still looking for his first scoring pass of 2025, while wideouts A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith have been underused. DT Jalen Carter (shoulder) is good to go. Rams QB Matthew Stafford needs one passing TD to tie Matt Ryan (381) for ninth place in NFL history. RB Kyren Williams has gained 50-plus scrimmage yards in 30 straight games, the longest active streak in the NFL. Six-time Pro Bowl WR Davante Adams recorded his first 100-yard game and first TD with the Rams in last week’s win against the Titans. LB Jared Verse sacked Hurts twice in January’s playoff loss.

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) vs. Houston Texans (0-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Jaguars -1.5, Total 44.5

Series Rewind: The Texans have won their last seven games at Jacksonville and won 12 of the last 14 in the AFC South matchup. The Jaguars last beat them at home in 2017 and have won just three of their last 15 home games against Houston.

With two losses by a combined six points, the Texans have dug themselves an early hole in the division as they look to win the AFC South Division for the third straight year. With a depleted receiver room, third-year QB CJ Stroud has gotten off to a slow start with one touchdown and one interception in two games. Maybe a game against Jacksonville, who he has thrown for more yards against (1,171) than any other team, is what he needs to wake up. The Jags have never intercepted Stroud in four games, but lead the league in picks (five) this year. They’re also leading the league in rushing yards (169.5 per game) and fourth in total offense (389.0), anchored by RB Travis Etienne, who ranks second in the league with 214 rushing yards. Dyami Brown is the only Jaguars WR with 100 receiving yards this season, as Brian Thomas Jr. (five catches on 19 targets) is off to a slow start to Year 2. He was limited in Thursday’s practice due to a wrist injury.

Tennessee Titans (0-2) vs. Indianapolis Colts (2-0)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Colts -4.5, Total 43.5

Series Rewind: Third-year Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen is 4-0 vs. Tennessee entering this week’s matchup. The Colts lead the all-time series 39-22. The Titans are 7-16 at home vs. the Colts since the franchise moved to Tennessee in 2002.

The Colts are probably the biggest positive surprise of the season at 2-0 for the first time since 2009 while becoming the first team in the Super Bowl era to not punt during their first two games. QB Daniel Jones, tossed aside by the Giants, has looked like a new man, with 588 yards, two touchdowns and no picks in his first two games. Teams have been slow to figure out blitzing Jones is not the answer. He has been blitzed on 50 of his 63 pass attempts, posting a QB rating over 110 when the Broncos and Dolphins sent an extra rusher. Vacating spots in the back seven is also clearing lanes for RB Jonathan Taylor. He had 165 rushing yards last week and leads the league with 236 in two games. Titans QB Cam Ward is the first No. 1 overall pick in NFL history to throw no interceptions in his first two starts. However, he has just 287 yards, one touchdown and has been sacked a league-worst 11 times. He may again be under siege this week as RT J.C. Latham (hip) and RG Kevin Zeitler (bicep) aren’t fully healthy. Jones’ favorite weapon so far has been rookie TE Tyler Warren, who leads the team with 11 catches and is tops for all NFL tight ends with 90 yards after the catch.

New York Jets (0-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Buccaneers -6.5, Total 44.5

Series Rewind: Tampa Bay is 2-0 for the fifth straight season but is looking for its first 3-0 start since 2005.

Healthy doesn’t describe either squad three weeks into the regular season. The Buccaneers have notched two comeback wins, including a 20-19 road victory over the host Houston Texans on Monday night. Quarterback Baker Mayfield guided that comeback and he has thrown five touchdown passes without an interception in 70 attempts this season. Mayfield is bothered with foot and toe injuries and has practiced, but his bodyguards are not in great shape. The right side of the offensive line is beat up. Guard Cody Mauch (season-ending knee) and tackle Luke Goedeke (foot) were placed on injured reserve. The Jets have to lean on veteran journeyman Tyrod Taylor to start this week. Quarterback Justin Fields (concussion) has been ruled out. New York is averaging just 274 yards per game, 26th in the NFL. New coach Aaron Glenn was the defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions for the past four seasons but the Jets have allowed 30 or more points in each of his first two games.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) at Minnesota Vikings (1-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Vikings -3, Total 42.5

Series Rewind: The home team has won 14 of the past 15 games between these teams.

Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson can’t fight over Joe Burrow this week. The former LSU receivers take center stage with an air of uncertainty with backup quarterbacks stepping in this week. Jake Browning took the reins when Burrow went down with a turf toe injury in Week 2 and beat the Jaguars (31-27) by guiding a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. He also was intercepted three times and lacks Burrow’s pocket agility behind a ragtag offensive line sure to be under siege by the blitz-heavy scheme of coordinator Brian Flores. The Vikings are rolling with Carson Wentz, a North Dakota State product and former No. 2 overall pick making NFL history with a start for his sixth team in six seasons. Wentz was a late add to the Vikings’ roster to be the backup to J.J. McCarthy, who likely will miss more than one week with a high ankle sprain. Coach Kevin O’Connell has been down this road more often than he’d like since Kirk Cousins ruptured his Achilles in 2023. A gift of upgraded protection could be waiting for Wentz after LT Christian Darrisaw (knee) practiced this week. He was held out of the first two games to focus on his recovery from a season-ending knee injury last October.

Las Vegas Raiders (1-1) at Washington Commanders (1-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Commanders -3.5, Total 44.5

Series Rewind: Washington has won four of the past five games in the series with the Raiders, most recently a 17-15 victory in 2021. The starting quarterbacks were Taylor Heinecke (Washington) and Derek Carr.

There’s a strong possibility Marcus Mariota is the Commanders’ signal caller. Jayden Daniels injured his knee in a 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 11 and head coach Dan Quinn wants to play it safe in another matchup with his former boss in Seattle, Pete Carroll. Mariota has plenty of experience and has started 74 regular-season games in his career. Mariota played two seasons (2020-21) with the Raiders so there surely is some familiarity remaining despite Las Vegas now having Carroll on the sideline. The Raiders are coming off a 20-9 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers when Daniel Carlson’s three field goals accounted for all the points. New quarterback Geno Smith was intercepted three times while throwing for 180 yards. Smith has thrown a league-worst four picks. Star tight end Brock Bowers played through a tender knee and had just 38 receiving yards on a night in which Las Vegas had just 218 as a team. Prized rookie running back Ashton Jeanty (81 yards on 30 carries) is finding the NFL is a bit tougher than the Mountain West.

Denver Broncos (1-1) at Los Angeles Chargers (2-0)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Chargers -2.5, Total 45.5

Series Rewind: The Chargers swept the Broncos last season, winning both meetings by a touchdown, but Denver has had more success in the series, with a 72-57-1 edge all-time.

The Chargers are out for a clean sweep of the AFC West through three games. Los Angeles beat the Chiefs in Brazil to open the season, and a shorthanded defense stepped up to dominate the Raiders 20-9 in Las Vegas on Monday. Justin Herbert (560 yards, five TDs, zero interceptions) has been stellar through two games and Daiyan Henley — limited by an illness — led the D against Las Vegas with an interception, a sack and 10 tackles. The Chargers are alone atop the division for the first time since 2021, while the Broncos missed a chance to go 2-0 against the Colts. Bo Nix was solid before throwing a fourth-quarter interception, and the Broncos were called for a leverage penalty when the Colts missed a field goal to end the game, giving Indianapolis a second chance to convert the game-winner. Broncos tight end Evan Engram (back) and linebacker Dre Greenlaw (quad) haven’t practiced this week, nor have Chargers tight end Will Dissly (knee) or defensive back Elijah Molden (hamstring).

New Orleans Saints (0-2) at Seattle Seahawks (1-1)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Seahawks -7.5, Total 41.5

Series Rewind: The Saints have won six of the past seven meetings with the Seahawks.

Spencer Rattler is the 0-8 as a starter with the Saints, but he’s had New Orleans in position to win each of the first two weeks in defeats decided on the final possession. The last quarterback to start their career with nine consecutive losses was DeShone Kizer (2007, Browns). To avoid the history books, Rattler has the challenge of solving the Mike Macdonald defense that beat up and baffled Aaron Rodgers last week. It’s a homecoming for Saints coach Kellen Moore and rookie first-round pick Taliese Fuaga, who grew up 30 miles from Lumen Field as a Seahawks fan. Moore hails from Prosser, Wash., and has a large following from neighboring Idaho because of his success as a quarterback at Boise State. Seattle is making every effort to rekindle home dominance from yesteryear but the Seahawks lost at home Week 1 and won only three times there last season. Getting more out of the offense is the thrust this week for Seattle. The Seahawks got their new-look offense on track last week, gaining 395 yards against the Steelers. Sam Darnold threw for 295 yards and two touchdowns, while Kenneth Walker III rushed for 105 yards and a TD — his first 100-plus yard game on the ground since the 2024 season opener.

Dallas Cowboys (1-1) at Chicago Bears (0-2)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Cowboys -1.5, Total 50.5

Series Rewind: A win might be vital for Dallas this week. Over the past 10 seasons, only four teams with first-year head coaches have made the playoffs after a 1-2 start.

Brock Hoffman isn’t a household name, but he might be a make-or-break linchpin for the Cowboys. He steps in for injured center Cooper Beebe starting Sunday charged with keeping the Cowboys’ offense chugging after a 40-point outburst last week to beat the Giants in overtime. Dallas has been more balanced out of the gate, which head coach Brian Schottenheimer credits to the performance of his overhauled offensive line. Beebe made two second-effort blocks last week that saved heavy pressure or big hits on QB Dak Prescott, who is on a heater of sorts. A knife through butter on third down this season, Prescott is 15-of-20 passing with 11 moving the chains. He leads the league in both categories. That’s not great news for Chicago and a secondary fighting injuries. The Bears rolled back home licking their wounds after giving up 52 points to the Lions in a shellacking at Detroit. But the Cowboys’ defense is coming off a rough outing as well. The Giants had 350 passing yards and three touchdowns, and Dallas is surrendering first downs on 52 percent of opponent third-down tries. QB Caleb Williams has directed the offense on opening-drive touchdowns in both games this season. He’ll be staring across the line at a group coordinated by former Bears coach Matt Eberflus this week.

Arizona Cardinals (2-0) at San Francisco 49ers (2-0)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: 49ers -1.5, Total 44.5

Series Rewind: Not many teams are less excited for the Christian McCaffrey experience than the Cardinals. The 49ers’ do-it-all back had over 100 rushing yards and 175 yards from scrimmage yards with seven TDs in two meetings in 2023, but missed both games with Arizona last season. He had at least 100 yards from scrimmage in six of seven career games against the Cardinals.

Quarterback Brock Purdy missed Week 2 with a toe injury, but the 49ers had enough to sink the Saints behind McCaffrey and Mac Jones. Jones threw three TD passes and had a passer rating over 113. McCaffrey is the 49ers’ leading receiver (15) and rusher (124 yards) but San Francisco has had success with Jauan Jennings in the slot in this matchup. He had 12 receptions in two games vs. Arizona last season. QB Kyler Murray has the Cardinals undefeated and threw four TDs in a 47-24 dismantling of injury-ravaged San Francisco in the season-ending matchup last season. Murray is aided by a running game that finished in the top 10 the past two seasons. RB James Conner has been largely held in check with 73 yards on 23 carries. Greybeard defensive end Calais Campbell had 2.0 sacks last week to become the fourth player since 1982 with multiple sacks in a game at age 39-plus (James Harrison, Clay Matthews, Bruce Smith).

Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) at New York Giants (0-2)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Chiefs -5.5, Total 44.5

Series Rewind: The home team has won four of the past five meetings between these teams.

Patrick Mahomes is part of a 0-2 team for the first time in eight seasons as an NFL starting quarterback. The Chiefs are in unfamiliar territory — last place in the AFC West. The last time Kansas City started a season with consecutive losses was 2014 when Mahomes was a freshman quarterback at Texas Tech. The three-time Super Bowl winner has just 445 yards and one touchdown through two games as the Chiefs deal with challenges in the passing game involving wideouts Rashee Rice (suspension) and Xavier Worthy (shoulder) and tight end Travis Kelce, who is showing his age. The most recent loss at home last week to the Philadelphia Eagles (20-17) in a Super Bowl rematch revealed flaws in the running game, where Mahomes has been the only consistent threat. The Giants were part of an entertaining effort while falling 40-37 in overtime to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2. Russell Wilson passed for 450 yards, three touchdowns and one interception one week after being criticized for a poor debut with the club in a 21-6 loss to the Washington Commanders. The Giants are tied for 27th in scoring defense (30.5 points per game) and are dead last in total defense (455.0 yards per game). New York standout left tackle Andrew Thomas (foot) could make his season debut.

Detroit Lions (1-1) at Baltimore Ravens (1-1)
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Ravens -5.5, Total 52.5

Series Rewind: It’s “Monday Night Football” so you know Lamar Jackson is excited about stepping on the field. The Baltimore quarterback has dazzled on Monday nights throughout his career and has 22 passing touchdowns without being intercepted in nine Monday night appearances.

Jackson has twice thrown five touchdown passes and also had four touchdowns through the air when he set the franchise record of 442 passing yards against the Indianapolis Colts in 2021. There should be a lot of points scored in this matchup. The Ravens lead the NFL in scoring average (40.5) and have reached the 40-point mark in both of their games. Detroit ranks third in scoring (32.5) and is coming off a 52-21 whipping of the Chicago Bears in Week 2. Lions quarterback Jared Goff matched his career best of five passing touchdowns while hitting 23 of 28 throws for 334 yards. It was the fifth career start with his team scoring at least 50 points, tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (five) for the fourth-most five-TD passing games since 1950, behind Tom Brady (eight starts), Drew Brees (six) and Len Dawson (six). Detroit wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown has caught 13 passes for 160 yards and is tied for the NFL lead with three touchdown receptions. The Lions are seeking to end a five-game skid against Baltimore.

–Field Level Media

Crazy Day in the NFL

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MIAMI GARDENS – (Wire Service Report) – Antonio Gibson’s 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown helped the New England Patriots post a 33-27 win over the Miami Dolphins in a Sunday afternoon shootout in Florida.

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Gibson’s first career touchdown return was the difference in the game, coming on the ensuing kickoff 12 seconds after a 74-yard punt-return touchdown by Miami’s Malik Washington gave the Dolphins the lead with 7:39 left.

The Dolphins drove into New England territory in the final 90 seconds, but the drive ended on Milton Williams’ second sack of the game on fourth-and-12 at the 28-yard line, clinching the Patriots’ first win in Miami since 2019. The Dolphins fell to 0-2 for the first time since 2020.

New England quarterback Drake Maye sparked the offense by completing 19 of 23 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns with a rushing touchdown. He was supplemented by Rhamondre Stevenson, who led the Patriots with 88 receiving yards and 54 rushing yards.

Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was 26 of 32 for 315 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception. Tyreek Hill sparked the offense with 109 yards on six catches while De’Von Achane led the Dolphins with 30 rushing yards and added 92 receiving yards and a touchdown.

On paper, the Patriots (1-1) should have had a larger halftime lead than their 15-14 advantage. They outgained Miami 143-18 in the first quarter and scored on all three first-half possessions before kneeling out the final 31 seconds.

And yet, a pair of missed extra points by Andy Borregales and a drive stalling inside the 5-yard line opened the door for the Dolphins, who scored touchdowns on their final two first-half drives.

Both quarterbacks were exceptional throughout the opening 30 minutes, each throwing a pair of touchdown passes.

Maye threw a pair of first-quarter TDs, to Mack Hollins with 9:34 left and to Kayshon Boutte with 55 seconds left.

Tagovailoa responded with a pair of second-quarter touchdowns, an 18-yarder to Jaylen Waddle with 11:25 left and a 29-yarder to Achane with 41 seconds remaining.

After Riley Patterson gave the Dolphins the lead with a 40-yard field goal to begin the third quarter, the Miami defense delivered a stop.

Patterson extended the lead with another field goal from 44 yards to make it 20-15 Dolphins before the Patriots took the lead back on a 6-yard Maye scramble in the closing seconds of the third quarter.

The Patriots finished with five sacks of Tagavailoa, keeping Miami without a second-half offensive touchdown.

–Field Level Media

Steel Curtain Adds Peppers

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PITTSBURGH – (Wire Service Report) – The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to terms on a deal with veteran safety Jabrill Peppers, NFL Network reported.

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Peppers, 29, was released by New England in a surprising move on Aug. 29. He signed a three-year, $24 million extension with the Patriots in July 2024, but injuries and a league suspension limited him to six games last season.

The Steelers add a player with 99 games of experience (85 starts) and more than 500 tackles with the Cleveland Browns (2017-18), New York Giants (2019-21) and Patriots. He has seven interceptions, seven fumble recoveries, 5.5 sacks and 35 passes defensed.

Peppers was selected by the Browns with the 25th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Michigan.

Peppers spent time on the commissioner’s exempt list in 2024 after he was the subject of a domestic violence charge. He was acquitted of multiple assault charges in January.

The Steelers lost starting safety DeShon Elliott to a knee injury during Sunday’s season-opening win against the New York Jets. Elliott is expected to miss multiple weeks with an MCL sprain, per multiple reports.

Pittsburgh has a Week 3 meeting with the Patriots in Foxborough, Mass.

–Field Level Media

Las Vegas Outrushes Patriots

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FOXBOROUGH – (Wire Service Report) – Newly acquired quarterback Geno Smith threw for 362 yards Sunday, rookie running back Ashton Jeanty scored the go-ahead touchdown, and visiting Las Vegas gave new coach Pete Carroll a win in his first game with the Raiders, stopping the New England Patriots 20-13.

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Smith completed 24 of 34 passes with a touchdown and an interception as Las Vegas outgained New England 389-336. Jeanty had just 38 yards on 19 carries but one of them was a 3-yard run with 9:39 left in the third quarter that put the Raiders ahead for good at 14-10.

Daniel Carlson added field goals of 51 and 40 yards later in the second half to give Las Vegas a two-score lead. Rookie Andy Borregales connected from 44 yards out with 19 seconds left to get the Patriots within seven points, but his onside kick bounced out of bounds to seal the outcome.

Drake Maye hit 30 of 46 attempts for 287 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but it wasn’t enough to give Mike Vrabel a win in his first game as New England’s coach. Wasted in the loss were 2 1/2 sacks from Harold Landry and 103 receiving yards from Kayshon Boutte.

Raiders tight end Brock Bowers matched Boutte’s 103 receiving yards on just five catches.

Las Vegas opened its season with a loud bang, driving 66 yards with the season’s first possession. Smith capped the drive just 2:43 into the game, finding Tre Turner on a post pattern for a 26-yard touchdown.

The Raiders were marching again when Smith extended New England a lifeline by tossing an interception to Jaylinn Hawkins at the Patriots’ 18. They cashed it in with an 82-yard march that Maye finished on a 2-yard strike to DeMario Douglas at the 1:02 mark.

Neither team scored again until New England lashed together a drive late in the first half. A 56-yard drive positioned Borregales for a 35-yard field goal with 1:57 remaining, enabling the Patriots to take a 10-7 edge to the locker room.

–Field Level Media

NFL: Opening Day Preview

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New England Patriots vs. Las Vegas Raiders: Week 1 | Game Preview

The New England Patriots kick off their 2025 NFL season against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, September 7, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. This Week 1 clash, airing at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS, promises an intriguing matchup as both teams look to set the tone for the season. With the Patriots favored by 2.5 points and an over/under set at 42.5 points, here’s a breakdown of what to expect.

Team Overviews

New England Patriots (0-0)

The Patriots enter 2025 under the leadership of new head coach Mike Vrabel, who replaced Jerod Mayo after a turbulent offseason. Vrabel, a former Patriots player with three Super Bowl rings, brings a hard-nosed approach to a team looking to rebound from a lackluster 2024 campaign. Quarterback Drake Maye, now in his second year, showed promise last season with 2,276 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while completing 66.6% of his passes. The Patriots’ offense, coordinated by former Raiders coach Josh McDaniels, aims to capitalize on Maye’s development and a revamped receiving corps. However, their 2024 receiving yards total of 3,343 was the lowest in the NFL, indicating a need for improvement in the passing game.

Defensively, the Patriots return key players like Christian Gonzalez and Jabrill Peppers, who anchor a unit that allowed 211.5 passing yards and 131.4 rushing yards per game last season. With no active injuries reported, New England is poised to lean on its defense to keep games close while the offense finds its rhythm.

Las Vegas Raiders (0-0)

The Raiders, led by head coach Pete Carroll, the NFL’s oldest active coach, are looking to make a statement on the road. Their 2024 season was marred by inefficiencies, particularly in goal-to-go situations, where they amassed just 49 yards, the fewest in the NFL. Quarterback Geno Smith, who threw for 4,320 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024, remains a dual-threat with 272 rushing yards and two scores. Tight end Brock Bowers, coming off a stellar rookie season with 112 receptions for 1,194 yards, and wideout Jakobi Meyers (1,027 yards) give the Raiders a potent passing attack.

On defense, the Raiders feature playmakers like Divine Deablo (1.0 sack, 3.0 TFL) and Trevon Moehrig (26 tackles, one interception in 2024). With no active injuries, Las Vegas is healthy but faces challenges against a Patriots defense that could exploit their 2024 offensive struggles, including a -7.4 point differential and 216.2 passing yards allowed per game.

Key Matchups

  1. Drake Maye vs. Raiders Secondary: Maye’s ability to exploit the Raiders’ pass defense, which allowed 216.2 yards per game in 2024, will be critical. If he can connect with his receivers early, the Patriots could control the game’s tempo. However, Las Vegas’s secondary, led by Moehrig, will look to force turnovers.

  2. Raiders’ Passing Attack vs. Patriots’ Secondary: Geno Smith, Bowers, and Meyers form a dangerous trio, but they’ll face a Patriots defense bolstered by Gonzalez and Peppers. New England’s ability to contain Bowers, who was a top-10 receiver in 2024, could limit the Raiders’ offensive output.

  3. Coaching Chess Match: Vrabel and Carroll, both seasoned coaches, bring contrasting styles. Vrabel’s defensive-minded approach will test Carroll’s offensive creativity, while McDaniels’ familiarity with the Raiders could give the Patriots an edge in play-calling.

Stats to Watch

  • Patriots’ Passing Game: New England’s 176.2 passing yards per game in 2024 ranked among the league’s worst. Improvement from Maye and the departure of Kendrick Bourne signal a shift toward younger playmakers like rookie Will Campbell.

  • Raiders’ Red Zone Struggles: Las Vegas’s 49 yards in goal-to-go situations last season highlight a critical weakness. If the Patriots’ defense holds firm inside the 20, they could force field goals and keep the game within reach.

  • Turnover Battle: Both teams had modest turnover differentials in 2024 (Raiders: +1, Patriots: +0.6). The team that wins the turnover battle could dictate the outcome in a game projected to be close.

Predictions

Analysts give the Patriots a slight edge, with a 60% win probability compared to the Raiders’ 40%, per simulations. The Patriots’ home-field advantage at Gillette Stadium, where they’ll celebrate the induction of Julian Edelman and Bill Parcells into the Patriots Hall of Fame, could provide an emotional boost. Expect Vrabel’s defense to pressure Smith, while Maye makes enough plays to secure a narrow victory.

Score Prediction: Patriots 24, Raiders 20

How to Watch

  • Time: 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, September 7, 2025

  • Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA

  • TV: CBS

  • Streaming: FUBO

  • Tickets: Available on StubHub, starting at $233

Patriots Waive Two, Claim Two

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FOXBORO – (Staff Report from Official Team News Release) – The New England Patriots announced that they have released WR Javon Baker and WR Kendrick Bourne. The Patriots also claimed and were awarded QB Tommy DeVito from the New York Giants and CB Charles Woods from the Los Angeles Rams.

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In addition, the Patriots announced that they have signed 16 players to the practice squad: CB Miles Battle, G Mehki Butler, G Jack Conley, CB Brandon Crossley, TE C.J. Dippre, RB Terrell Jennings, WR John Jiles, DE Truman Jones, C Alec Lindstrom, DB Kobee Minor, DT David Olajiga, LB Cam Riley, DT Jahvaree Ritzie, TE Gee Scott Jr., LB Bradyn Swinson and WR Jeremiah Webb. All of those players were released by the team on August 26.

Baker, 23, was drafted by New England in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of UCF. The 6-foot-1, 202-pounder, played in 11 games with one start and finished with 1 reception for 12 yards and returned 3 kickoffs for 79 yards.

Bourne, 30, has spent the last four seasons with New England after signing with the team as an unrestricted free agent from San Francisco on March 19, 2021. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder, originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with San Francisco on May 5, 2017, out of Eastern Washington. Bourne has played in 111 games with 34 starts and has registered 292 receptions for 3,714 yards with 22 touchdowns. In addition, he has played in four postseason games and has 13 receptions for 165 yards and 3 touchdowns. He had his best NFL season in 2021 with New England with 55 receptions for 800 yards and 5 touchdowns. Last season, Bourne was limited to 12 games with nine starts and had 28 receptions for 305 yards with 1 touchdown.

DeVito, 27, originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with the New York Giants on May 5, 2023, out of Illinois. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder, began his career on the practice squad before being signed to the 53-man roster on Oct. 31, 2023. In two seasons with the Giants, DeVito played in 12 games with eight starts and completed 145-of-222 attempts for 1,358 yards and 8 touchdowns. He was released by the Giants on Aug. 26, 2025.

Woods, 25, originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with the L.A. Rams on May 2, 2024, out of Southern Methodist. The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder, spent the majority of the season on the 53-man roster before finishing the year on the practice squad. He played in 12 games and finished with 1 tackle on defense and 1 special teams tackle. He was released by the Rams on Aug. 26, 2025.

Patriots: Diggs Stays Mumm

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FOXBOROUGH – At the final practice of Patriots mandatory minicamp in Massachusetts on Tuesday, newly acquired wide receiver Stefon Diggs spoke with reporters but did not address a viral video that has inspired speculation about his future with the team.

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In the video, posted to social media, Diggs is seen enjoying himself on a boat with three bikini-clad women that included top-selling rapper Cardi B, but he’s also seen brandishing a plastic bag filled with a mysterious pink substance.

The 31-year-old Diggs has refrained from speaking about the incident, and did so again Tuesday despite some observers wondering if the four-time Pro Bowler could be in hot water with either his new team or the NFL at large.

First-year Patriots coach Mike Vrabel spoke recently on the importance of players making “good decisions.”

“I kind of keep my personal life personal,” Diggs said. “I had a conversation with Vrabel, obviously, and I’m going to echo everything that he said. Hope everyone makes good decisions. I had some conversations with people in the building as well. So, everything else is everything else, and the particulars are all internal.”

A First-Team All-Pro in 2020, Diggs signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the Patriots in March.

He has described his rapport with Vrabel as being positive and expressed admiration for Vrabel’s championship pedigree.

“I’m a huge fan of him,” Diggs said. “I can’t wait to play for him. He’s got that itch that you want to run through a wall for him. I look forward to it. Me and him go back and forth in practice, and I’m not even participating.”

A year ago, Diggs played in just eight games for the Houston Texans due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, breaking a string of six straight 1,000-yard seasons to begin his career. He has amassed 857 receptions for 10,491 yards and 70 touchdowns during his 10-year career split among the Minnesota Vikings (2015-19), Buffalo Bills (2020-23) and Texans (2024).

–Field Level Media

Patriots DT Barmore Cleared

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FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – New England Patriots starting defensive tackle Christian Barmore told local reporters that he’s been cleared for football activities and expects to play in the team’s season opener.

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Barmore, 25, was limited to four games last season while experiencing blood clots. He said he’s been a full participant in the team’s offseason workout program.

“Yeah. That’s the goal,” Barmore said of playing in Week 1. “I just have to keep following the medical team. But everything is looking really (good).”

Patriots first-year head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters at the NFL’s annual meeting on March 31 that he could tell by Barmore’s “energy and presence” that he was feeling better.

Barmore, taken by the Patriots in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, missed the first 10 games last season before playing in the next four. He then missed the rest of the season due to a recurrence of the blood clots.

In 48 career games (11 starts), Barmore has 13.5 sacks, 139 tackles, 33 quarterback hits and one forced fumble. He signed four-year, $83 million contract extension with the franchise on April 29, 2024.

Way Too Soon NFL Draft Grades

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GREEN BAY – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – To properly judge an NFL Draft class, it probably takes about three or four years to determine the overall impact. This week, media throughout the land will be providing “grades” for the various NFL team front offices. Admittedly, it’s ridiculous. But, it’s done in fun, not seriously. Here are some of the team selection grades:

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Cleveland Browns:

Grade: B

Best Pick: Harold Fannin Jr., No. 67 Overall

What We Liked: Lots of talented guys made their way onto the Browns roster through this class. It’s a very productive group that isn’t lacking in potential. Defensive tackle Mason Graham (No. 5) plays with a fury that should scare opponents, the new running back duo of Quinshon Judkins (No. 36) and Dylan Sampson (No. 126) has a lot of athleticism and should create a nice one-two punch. Fannin adds a dynamic weapon to the receiving corps that can be used in a wealth of ways. The support system for whoever is playing quarterback is going to be boosted.

Not Sure About: There’s an old adage that if you have two quarterbacks, you have no quarterbacks. Forcing a Dillon Gabriel (No. 94) vs. Shedeur Sanders (No. 144) quarterback competition seems like a move that will ultimately cause distractions. It’s classic Browns, never able to quite solve the quarterback problem as they intend to, and always with more drama than necessary. Carson Schwesinger (No. 33) also got taken a little early for my liking, but the value at linebacker in the second round wasn’t there for anyone.

Tennessee Titans

Grade: B+

Best Pick: QB Cameron Ward, No. 1 Overall

What We Liked: An all-around good draft for the Titans, who are putting together a crack offense in an attempt to actually win some games this year. Ward was the clear QB1 this year. His confidence and ability to handle lots of responsibilities will make the lives of his coordinators easier. Wide receiver Elic Ayomanor (No. 136) and tight end Gunnar Helm (No. 120) will be great support for Ward and provide reliable hands to help him get his rhythm going at the professional level. Safety Kevin Winston Jr. (No. 82) headlines the defensive picks for me. Though he was injured last year, he gave his all in 2023 and kept a day three slot because of it.

Not Sure About: I’m still not convinced Oluwafemi Oladejo (No. 52) is a real edge rusher. He just feels like a square peg being pushed into a round hole. I’ve mentioned the idea of “positionless defenses” but this guy has a position: It’s just not the one he’s playing at the moment. It also felt like a stretch to take wide receiver Chimere Dike (No. 103) in the fourth round, another speedster who does not do a lot else to provide value to the team.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Grade: B

Best Pick: CB/WR Travis Hunter, No. 2 Overall

What We Liked: That Travis Hunter trade was incredible. Getting two top-end weapons for the price of one is worth any amount of pick capital you have to pay to get up there. James Gladstone is making an incredible splash in his first year as a general manager with this trade and did lots of draft maneuvering that worked to his advantage. The pickup of guard Wyatt Milum (No. 89) solidifies the offensive line well, and running back Bhayshul Tuten (No. 104) should be a really strong dynamic duo with Tank Bigsby to take pressure off Trevor Lawrence.

Not Sure About: Hmm, lots of announcing guys who aren’t going to play the
position they did in college, shifting over to somewhere else. Caleb Ransaw (No. 88) played all slot corner last year and is looking to be used at safety; Jalen McLeod (No. 194) got announced as a linebacker when his natural fit is as an edge rusher; and Milum is likely shifting from tackle to guard. If these guys don’t do well at their next position, the Jaguars’ depth class is pretty much toast.

New York Giants

Grade: C-

Best Pick: Edge Abdul Carter, No. 3 Overall

What we liked: Carter is a great player. Pairing him with Brian Burns will turn a middling edge rusher unit into a force to be reckoned with. Focusing on the defensive trenches was a good decision for the Giants, who despite having lots of talent, really only felt like they were getting halfway decent results. Picking up defensive tackle Darius Alexander (No. 65) to supplement Dexter Lawrence should play out well, too. That defense could easily become a top-10 unit next year with the added talent.

Not Sure About: I know when you see a guy who could be a franchise quarterback on the board, you should do anything to get him, but is Jaxson Dart (No. 25) really that guy? Not only did the Giants take a quarterback propped up by an incredibly friendly system, they traded up to get him. After the first read, Dart often crumbled. I’m not sure I can see a world where Dart takes the Giants any further than Daniel Jones did. At least Jones could push the ball all the way downfield.

New England Patriots

Grade: A+

Best Pick: C Jared Wilson, No. 95 Overall

What We Liked: Lots of rock-solid picks building in Mike Vrabel’s first year as the head coach. The offensive line is molding into more of a unit than a series of disparate parts, the Patriots have a new running back in TreVeyon Henderson (No. 38) who can hopefully carry the workload. Wide receiver Kyle Williams (No. 69) gives quarterback Drake Maye one more weapon. This feels like a draft driven by logic and smart team-building.

Not Sure About: It was a little early for safety Craig Woodson (No. 106) for the liking. Woodson has trouble run-stopping and struck me as more of a developmental player than a solution to a safety problem. Other than that, nothing to complain about.

Las Vegas Raiders:

Grade: A+

Best Pick: RB Ashton Jeanty, No. 6 Overall

What We Liked: The Raiders got a blue-chip guy at six, hard to argue with
that. Jeanty is a big-time impact player for a team that never really had an
offense that chugged. However, one great pick does not make an A+ draft
class. The Raiders knocked it out of the park with virtually every pick. Their
new wide receiver room combines high-floor prospects like Jack Bech (No. 58) with big-upside swings like Dont’e Thornton Jr. (No. 108). Their two offensive linemen picks are both big-time athletes who could start early. Darien Porter (No. 68) may be old for a draft pick, but he’s the perfect Pete Carroll corner. Raiders fans, get excited.

Not Sure About: The two late defensive tackle picks don’t really have any
special skills and have limited upside. I would expect them to be rotational
players at best. If JJ Pegues (No. 180) starts getting reps at fullback, then get worried about these being wasted picks. I personally would have added a safety earlier, but that’s a nitpick on a top-tier draft class.

New York Jets

Grade: B

Best Pick: OT Armand Membou, No. 7 Overall

What We Liked: The Jets hit home runs with their first three selections. Membou can bring his athleticism to an offensive line that really needed only one more piece and create a rushing powerhouse for quarterback Justin Fields and running back Breece Hall. Tight end Mason Taylor (No. 42) sets Fields up with a quick dump-off weapon and with with good run-after-catch ability. Cornerback Azareye’h Thomas (No. 73) does great work in both zone and man and should quickly become part of the rotation. It’s now up to the free agent class to make it work.

Not Sure About: The day three selections were nothing to write home about. Wide receiver Arian Smith (No. 110) is very fast, but when it’s not game-breaking and it’s your main trait, it’s hard to be too impressed. Safety Malachi Moore is also a good athlete, but he doesn’t quite have the mental finesse to keep pass-catchers in his view consistently. Linebacker Francisco Mauigoa (No. 162) is good, but where will he play?

Carolina Panthers

Grade: B+

Best Pick: Edge Nic Scourton, No. 51 Overall

What We Liked: Getting two edge rushers (Scourton and Princely Umanmielen at No. 77) feels like a great maneuver to fill out the room. Especially adding Scourton to the mix, a crazy good power rusher whose hands will make waste to offensive lines across the southeast. The Panthers hit on all of their day three picks as well, especially Lathan Ransom (No. 122) and Cam Jackson (No. 140), who can make an immediate impact at safety and nose tackle. The depth on the team just got a lot stronger.

Not Sure About: It feels like the Panthers already have a lot of tall wideouts who can’t really separate consistently. Tetairoa McMillan (No. 8) does not add much to the room that quarterback Bryce Young doesn’t already have. Umanmielen doesn’t move me as an edge rusher, and while he isn’t a bad value in the third round, it doesn’t strengthen their bid for the NFC South. Running back might have been a higher priority.

New Orleans Saints

Grade: D

Best Pick: OT Kelvin Banks, No. 9 Overall

What We Liked: Banks is a good tackle who fits the mauling mold the Saints seem to look for. He feels a lot like Trevor Penning, but with more experience facing NFL talent and less frenzy. Jonas Sanker (No. 93) can fill a safety slot once their older guys age out, and he’s versatile enough where you can evaluate his strengths and slot a new guy in next to him pretty easily. Quincy Riley (No. 131) adds some speed to the cornerback room.

Not Sure About: Taking Tyler Shough (No. 40) is just begging to have the Brandon Weeden experience for yourself. If this is your plan at quarterback, you’ll be taking another big swing in 2026. It’s not like they have given him any support this year either. If the Saints had given him an earlier wideout, then perhaps it could be fine, but if the injuries return, it honestly could be an 0-17 season.

Chicago Bears:

Grade: A-

Best Pick: OT Ozzy Trapilo, No. 56 Overall

What We Liked: The Bears kept a good balance of need and overall player
value for much of the draft. Starting off with tight end Colston Loveland (No. 10) was a welcome surprise, as much of the buzz was around the inferior (sorry) Tyler Warren. Continuing to support Caleb Williams, the next two picks were another weapon in wide receiver Luther Burden III, who can really cook with the ball in his hands, and added protection from Trapilo. Their defensive picks mostly landed as well with defensive tackle Shemar Turner (No. 62) and cornerback Zah Frazier (No. 169) being high-floor prospects with decent athleticism and physicality.

Not Sure About: That pick of linebacker Ruben Hyppolite (No. 132) was an insane miscue. It was sort of like acing a history test and then writing gibberish on one of the essay questions. Does anyone outside of the Maryland fan base and obsessive pro day watchers like myself even know who Hyppolite is? Surely they could have gotten him later. The Bears don’t even really need a linebacker, which means they must have really loved this guy. Very odd pick from an otherwise very logical set of selections.

San Francisco 49ers:

Grade: C

Best Pick: LB Nick Martin, No. 75 Overall

What We Liked: Coach Mike Shanahan found some very good value outside of the first round. Martin was vastly underrated after getting injured early in the season, but he should bring sideline-to-sideline range that he couples with great instincts. Jordan Watkins (No. 138) has WR1 upside but at the very least projects as a WR2 for the offense. He was almost an Emeka Egbuka type in college who kept getting pushed by really impressive talents and not given a chance to shine.

Not Sure About: The first two rounds made me shrug. Edge Mykel Williams (11) is better on paper than on the field, but this isn’t a Strat-O-Matic game. Defensive tackle Alfred Collins (43) doesn’t have the strength or agility to be a game-wrecker, so the whole defensive line feels stagnant. There’s still a glaring hole at offensive tackle that needs more capital investment.

Dallas Cowboys:

Grade: C+

Best Pick: CB Shavon Revel Jr., No. 76 Overall

What We Liked: The Revel pick was impressive value for the spot. The once-incredible Cowboys cornerback room took a major step back, and Ravel should be able to make it afloat again. Guard Tyler Booker (No. 12) is a really good player who fits with the scheme of the Cowboys with his overwhelming power profile. The Cowboys addressed the majority of their needs and at least should have new competition at the spot.

Not Sure About: Can edge Donovan Ezeiruaku (No. 44) keep up his high production in the pros when he’s at an athletic disadvantage? The value is better in the second than his first-round projection, but it still is a worrying projection. Running back Jaydon Blue does not seem equipped to take on a bell cow role and feels like more of a special teams add.

Miami Dolphins:

Grade: C

Best Pick: DT Kenneth Grant, No. 13 Overall

What We Liked: Effort was made to replace the big-time players who have
left Miami for greener pastures. Grant is clearly meant to be the
next force up the middle, similar to how Christian Wilkins operated for the
Dolphins, and safety Dante Trader Jr. (No. 155) is kind of like if you got Jevon Holland from the 99-cent store: lots of strong play with a much lower paycheck attached. Guard Jonah Savaiinaea (No. 37) feels like one more step in the right direction to fixing an offensive line that has led to Tua Tagovailoa concussions. The needs are being addressed.

Not Sure About: Defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (No. 143) was a prospect that got first-round hype early in the cycle, but that tapered off when everyone realized that rumors of his athleticism were greatly exaggerated. Even the fifth round feels out of the range I would want someone of his production caliber. Cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. (No. 150) is a similar former high-upside project player who just never did much of anything. Miami needs some players who can actually make an impact —
outside of their offense, they lack star power.

Indianapolis Colts

Grade: B+

Best Pick: RB DJ Giddens, No. 151 Overall

What We Liked: The Chris Ballard strategy of taking exclusively pure athletes seems to have cooled off, as now Ballard is taking guys who also play good football. After a few years of middling draft classes, this is a group of guys you can feel confident in. Tight end Tyler Warren (No. 14) will provide more ways to ease Anthony Richardson’s quarterback responsibilities, and edge JT Tuimoloau (No. 45) and cornerback Justin Walley (No. 80) are good enough athletes but really excel in technical skill. The best pick, though, is Giddens in the fifth round. He has a balanced skill set that could make him a great supplement to Jonathan Taylor and even potentially be a full-time starter.

Not Sure About: Tim Smith seems to have been picked because he’s an Alabama defensive tackle. Really just another body for that rotation. I’m not
in love with the Warren pick, either. As dynamic as he was at the
college level, I’m not sure an offense can really be built around him in the pros without his athletic limitations showing through. Adding Riley Leonard (No. 189) to the quarterback room when he mostly just runs feels underwhelming for a team that’s sorely missing an actual passer.

Atlanta Falcons

Grade: B-

Best Pick: S Xavier Watts, No. 96 Overall

What we liked: The selections were impressive values in comparison to consensus. Edge Jalon Walker (No. 15) was seen by many as a potential top 10 pick thanks to his explosive nature; the testing numbers of edge James Pearce Jr. (No. 26) make his potential impressive, and getting Watts at the back half of day two after a slide could change their secondary. The values on these guys was impressive, and the Falcons betting on upside is a great choice in a weak division where any team could cement itself as the front-runner for the next five years. If these players pan out along with quarterback Michael Penix Jr., they could be a perennial playoff team.

Not Sure About: Trading up with a future first-round pick for a player at a position you already took in the top 15 feels like a poor use of resources. That defensive line certainly needed sprucing up, but it only matters so much if they’re not getting any interior pressure, and they certainly did not invest in defensive tackle as many expected. Not only that, they doubled up on doubling up. They took two safeties too! There are more holes on the roster than that! Solve your other problems!

Arizona Cardinals

Grade: A

Best Pick: CB Will Johnson, No. 47 Overall

What We Liked: Everything. The Cardinals went for the best football player available at every turn, from ending the surprising fall to the second round for cornerback Will Johnson (No. 47) to their first pick of Walter Nolen (No. 16), who got some of the best production of any defensive tackle in the SEC.

Even their day two and three selections were great choices, taking edge Jordan Burch (No. 78), who performed admirably at Oregon, and Cody Simon (No. 115), who led the linebacker corps for Ohio State. I had Burch as a top 50 guy, and Simon as one of the most underrated linebackers in the class. It solves a lot of problems for them very quickly.

Big Winners at 2025 NFL Draft

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GREEN BAY – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – One round out of seven is complete at the 2025 NFL Draft, so it’s far too soon to hand out draft grades. There will be steals aplenty on Friday and Saturday, and even more future busts.

That said, Thursday packed plenty of punch in the first 32 picks. Who were the winners and losers of Round 1? Here are three nominees for each:

Winner: The Jaguars (and Trevor Lawrence)

It’s a new day in Duval County. The franchise has been stuck in the mud and is moving on to Lawrence’s third full-time head coach in five years. So new GM James Gladstone sent a big package to Cleveland, moved up three spots to No. 2 and snagged Heisman winner Travis Hunter, who plans to play both wide receiver and cornerback in the pros. (Would Trent Baalke have made that move?) Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr. should make a terrific receiving tandem for Lawrence.

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Winner: Green Bay

The NFL probably doesn’t need to bring the draft to every city that has a franchise, but Green Bay was a standout choice for the history of the Packers and Lambeau Field. The Packers fans in attendance got to celebrate the unthinkable: their team drafting a wide receiver in the first round. Green Bay hadn’t done so since taking Javon Walker in 2002, mid-Brett Favre era. Speedster Matthew Golden of Texas could be Jordan Love’s No. 1 target this year.

Winner: The SEC

Although just one of the first six selections came from a Southeastern Conference school, it didn’t take long for the floodgates to open. The SEC ended the night with 15 first-round picks, nearly half of the first round, tying its own record set in 2020. Honestly, the 2020 mark was more impressive because the league hadn’t expanded to add Texas and Oklahoma yet. In the most predictable move of the night, the Philadelphia Eagles grabbed Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell at No. 31, adding to a defense that resembles an All-SEC first-team unit.

Loser: Shedeur Sanders

That quote that circulated this week from a veteran NFL assistant coach was an all-timer. “He’s so entitled.” “He blames teammates.” “He’s not that good.” But that quote wasn’t the reason Sanders dropped out of the first round. If anything, it may have been a window into an overall feeling around the league that Sanders wasn’t first-round worthy. The question becomes who will snap up Sanders on Day 2, and whether he stands a chance at a starting job in 2025.

Loser: Cowboys fans

Jerry Jones has a thing for offensive linemen named Tyler. The Cowboys’ owner and self-appointed general manager spent first-round picks on the left side of their offensive line in Tyler Smith (2022) and Tyler Guyton (2024). Now, Alabama’s Tyler Booker is headed to Dallas to play right guard. Most Cowboys fans would have preferred just about anything else with the No. 12 pick, very high for an interior lineman. For context, he’s replacing the retired Zack Martin — picked 16th overall in his draft.

Loser: Tommy DeVito

Wheel another chair into the New York Giants’ quarterback room. After taking edge rusher Abdul Carter third overall, the Giants traded back into the first round for a QB, passing over Sanders to pick Jaxson Dart from Ole Miss. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more confusing quarterback group than Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, Dart and DeVito. Barring injury, the local boy affectionately known as “Tommy Cutlets,” who made eight starts the past two years, doesn’t stand a chance of making the roster now.

–Field Level Media