Experts share their picks for the Patriots Week 1 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

New England Patriots

Experts share their picks for the Patriots Week 1 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Mike Reiss, ESPN:

Pick:Patriots 28, Jets 24

How the Patriots defend TE Brock Bowers will be one of many intriguing storylines, and WR Stefon Diggs turning it up in practice was noted by QB Drake Maye.

Stephania Bell, ESPN:Patriots

Matt Bowen, ESPN:Patriots

Mike Clay, ESPN:Patriots

Chris Fowler, ESPN:Patriots

Dan Graziano, ESPN:Patriots

Kalyn Kahler, ESPN:Raiders

Pamela Maldonado, ESPN:Raiders

Eric Moody, ESPN:Patriots

Jason Reid, ESPN:Raiders

Lindsey Thiry, ESPN:Patriots

Seth Wickersham, ESPN:Patriots

NFL.com

Ali Bhanpuri, NFL.com:Raiders 20, Patriots 15

Brooke Cersosimo, NFL.com:Raiders 19, Patriots 16

Dan Parr, NFL.com:Raiders 23, Patriots 20

Gennaro Filice, NFL.com:Patriots 17, Raiders 13

Tom Blair, NFL.com:Raiders 22, Patriots 20

Why Gennaro picked the Patriots:Fascination abounds with both offenses in this matchup. The Patriots significantly upgradedDrake Maye's supporting cast during the offseason, while the Raiders remodeled theirBrock Bowers-led attack by adding a plus quarterback inGeno Smithand a bell-cow back inAshton Jeanty. Yet, despite all that, I think this game will be decided by defense -- specifically, New England's defense. With Mike Vrabel taking over as head coach, the Patriots aggressively fortified all three levels of the D by signing four new starters in free agency: DTMilton Williams, OLBHarold Landry III, ILBRobert Spillaneand CBCarlton Davis III. Furthermore, interior disruptorChristian Barmoreis back in the fold after missing most of last season due to blood clot issues. All in all, this defense has the makings of a group that couldfly up the rankingsin 2025. In Las Vegas, though, new coach Pete Carroll has his work cut out for him on the defensive side of the ball.Maxx Crosby's a one-man army, to be sure, but the rest of the unit looked extremely underwhelming before theshocking release of Christian Wilkins. With Vrabel and Carroll right at home in a low-scoring slobberknocker, New England gets just enough plays from new toys likeTreVeyon Hendersonto eke out a hard-fought win.

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Pete Prisco, CBS Sports:

Pick:Raiders 24, Patriots 23

This is a long first trip for the Pete Carroll-led Raiders. The Patriots will have Mike Vrabel making his debut as coach as well. The Patriots should be improved this season, but I thinkGeno Smithwill do enough here to pull it out late. Carroll gets more revenge against the team that fired him.

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Cody Benjamin, CBS Sports:Raiders

Jared Dubin, CBS Sports:Patriots

Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports:Patriots

John Breech, CBS Sports:Patriots

Tyler Sullivan, CBS Sports:Patriots

Dave Richard, CBS Sports:Patriots

Jamey Eisenburg, CBS Sports:Patriots

Pro Football Talk

Mike Florio:Patriots 23, Raiders 17

Chris Simms:Patriots 23, Raiders 17

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Paul Perillo, Patriots.com:

Pick:Patriots 23, Raiders 17

Mike Vrabel era gets off to a great start behind a balanced rushing attack.

Mike Dussault, Patriots.com:

Pick:Patriots 20, Raiders 16

A Week 1 matchup with two new head coaches and largely remade teams is hard to predict. The Raiders have the star power to make the difference but the Patriots are playing at home and have some underrated talent of their own that is still under the radar. Pats hang on for a win.

Evan Lazar, Patriots.com:

Pick:Patriots 23, Raiders 20

With two new coaching staffs, there's a lot of unknowns about how the two teams will approach this game. I trust Vrabel, McDaniels and the Patriots staff to make the necessary in-game adjustments to win at home.

DISCLAIMER:The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization.Read Full Disclaimer