One of the most dynamic running backs from the 2025 NFL Draft will make his debut when the Las Vegas Raiders take on the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. We are talking about Ashton Jeanty.
After dominating college football with a 2,000-plus yard rushing season, the 2024 Heisman Trophy runner up will look to make his mark in the NFL immediately. Against a Patriots’ defense that did struggle against the run in 2024, all signs are in for a big debut for the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
But not so fast.
The Patriots did add run stoppers like Milton Williams who will team with Christian Barmore in the middle of the line along with linebacker Robert Spillane who is a tackling machine. Mike Vrabel, in his debut as Patriots head coach, knows his team is up for a big challenge which includes the rookie running back:
“What terrific young skill players. I mean, Brock Bowers plays like a wide receiver. He's a willing blocker. Jeanty, powerful, fast, continues to move his feet after contact, breaks a lot of tackles. Speed on the outside, savviness with [Jakobi] Meyers. Big physical offensive line. So, that will be a challenge when you talk about that. Geno really does a nice job of taking care of the football. Very good completion percentage, so he knows where he wants to go with the football.”
Las Vegas Raiders vs New England Patriots game details: How to watch, betting odds
- Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025 | Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Gillette Stadium
- TV: CBS | Live Stream: Fubo TV (try for free)
- Betting Odds: Patriots -2.5; over/under 44.5 (via DraftKings)
Ashton Jeanty rush yards over/under 72.5 vs. Patriots
Ashton Jeanty under 72.5 rushing yards in Week 1 matchup: -111 (Bet $10 to win $19.00).
Key factors:
- With Brock Bowers as the prime target, the Raiders will attempt a balanced attack to start the game, but if Mike Vrabel is focused on taking away the run, there could be less opportunity for Jeanty to really get going in this game.
- The interior of the Patriots’ defensive line will force Jeanty to the outside where he is most dangerous, but the addition of former Raiders’ linebacker Robert Spillane could be a factor in limiting Jeanty from breaking long runs.
- With first game jitters and the pace of the NFL, it will take a few touches for Jeanty to get going. By the time he does, the Raiders could already be playing from behind.
- Raheem Mostert may get most of the snaps due to his recent success against the Patriots’ defense. If Jeanty struggles early, Peter Carroll and company will go with the veteran.
- Rain is in the forecast, so it could be a damp afternoon in Foxborough.
Prediction: Jeanty will show glimpses of his dominance at Boise State, but the Patriots’ defense will be locked in on containing him. He’ll get some catches in this game to attempt to get him out in space, but a pumped-up Patriots’ defense under the fire of Mike Vrabel will make things hard for the rookie through most of the game. Again, he will show flashes but ultimately the Raiders will turn to the playmakers they trust most and that will be Bowers, Mostert and wide receiver Jacoby Meyers.