Going into a game against an opponent like the Raiders had many Patriots fans and NFL analysts believing there was a good chance the home team would come out the victor. Although both franchises underwent massive changes this offseason, a lot appeared to be swinging in the Patriots' favor, giving them some momentum for the season opener.
Then there was the storyline of Josh McDaniels facing the team that fired him in 2023 for the first time, with fans hoping he would seek some revenge in his return to the Patriots. But that's far from what happened, despite the sporadic moments of impressive play throughout the afternoon.