Ryan McFadden
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Las Vegas Raiders hit a change defensively within the second half of Sunday's season-opener towards the New England Patriots and by no means seemed again.
The Patriots' Drake Maye had picked aside the Raiders for a lot of the primary half, finishing 15 of 20 passes for 150 yards and a landing. However the second-year quarterback made a expensive mistake on the opening drive of the third quarter, and Las Vegas took benefit.
Maye's third-down go try sailed over extensive receiver Stefon Diggs and was intercepted by security Isaiah Pola-Mao. The turnover set off a sequence of occasions that resulted within the Raiders' 20-13 victory at Gillette Stadium. Las Vegas scored 10 unanswered factors whereas the protection held New England to only a discipline purpose within the last two quarters to safe its first win underneath coach Pete Carroll.
Las Vegas will definitely face harder offenses all through the common season. However the protection's efficiency within the second half towards New England was an encouraging signal for a unit that misplaced eight starters within the offseason.
“Protection did an amazing job within the second half to carry them down, getting off the sector on the third downs and all of that, simply enjoying powerful as heck,” Carroll stated.
Whereas Pola-Mao's choose shifted the momentum of the afternoon, the Raiders' go rush efforts informed a greater story of their second-half turnaround. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel thought Las Vegas blended up pressures and coverages popping out of halftime. “We overcame a few of these, but it surely was simply too troublesome,” Vrabel informed reporters after the sport.
Within the opening half, Las Vegas sacked Maye as soon as and pressured the previous North Carolina standout 5 occasions. These numbers skyrocketed within the second half. The Raiders had 11 pressures, together with 5 from defensive finish Maxx Crosby, who additionally recorded his first sack since Dec. 8, 2024. He missed the ultimate 4 weeks of final season as a consequence of ankle surgical procedure.
The Raiders' four-man rush was more practical down the stretch. Las Vegas despatched 4 defenders at Maye on 80% of his dropbacks within the second half, and recorded 9 pressures, three sacks and gave up a passer ranking of 61.9.
Maye had a passer ranking of 95.8 towards four-man rushes within the first and second quarters. Raiders defensive finish Malcolm Koonce got here up clutch in his first regular-season recreation since tearing his ACL forward of the 2024 marketing campaign. Las Vegas was up 20-10 with 6:15 to go within the fourth when Koonce pushed off rookie left deal with Will Campbell earlier than sacking Maye and forcing a fumble. Despite the fact that Campbell recovered the ball, the Patriots misplaced eight yards and ultimately have been compelled to punt.
“Pete preaches that you do not win the sport within the first half,” stated Tyree Wilson after he had a sack and 4 pressures on 27 go rush snaps. “After halftime, we made the changes and had a dominant efficiency.”
The secondary and linebacker spots endured probably the most adjustments in the course of the offseason. Following the departure of beginning linebackers Divine Deablo and Robert Spillane, the Raiders added Elandon Roberts, Devin White, Germaine Pratt and Jamal Adams into the combo.
White was a gradual presence at linebacker, particularly after Roberts sprained his elbow within the first quarter. The previous Tampa Bay Buccaneer was efficient within the run recreation, totaling eight run tackles and a pair of run stuffs.
As a complete, Las Vegas' run protection was stout. The Raiders allowed 60 yards on 18 makes an attempt.
The Raiders' cornerback room had maybe the most important pink flags among the many place teams. However Carroll thought starters Eric Stokes and Kyu Blu Kelly have been efficient. Stokes, who signed a one-year deal within the offseason, was focused six occasions, permitting three catches for 19 yards and a passer ranking of 56.9.
In Kelly's first begin of his three-year profession, he gave up 5 catches for 66 yards however allowed simply 1.9 yards of separation on a team-high eight targets.
“I believed Kyu Blu did a pleasant job combating to the fingers with out making one thing that impeded that receiver,” Carroll stated. “I challenged each of them, and I believed these guys performed very well.”
Las Vegas' subsequent huge take a look at will come within the following weeks. Subsequent week, the Raiders should face the Los Angeles Chargers, led by quarterback Justin Herbert — who threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns in a win over the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. In the meantime, offensive deal with Joe Alt did not permit any pressures towards a formidable Chiefs' protection.
And in Week 3, they should tackle Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, who collected 301 whole yards in a 21-6 win over the New York Giants.
“We have labored actually laborious to get so far, and to get in that locker room and have that type of enjoyable and cheer on each other,” Carroll stated. “Perhaps we will preserve that going.”
