Three matchups to watch in Patriots' Week 1 bout with Raiders

On Sunday, the New England Patriots will take on the Las Vegas Raiders in a season-opening game for both teams.

Here are three matchups to watch during that Week 1 bout:

Patriots RT Morgan Moses vs. Raiders EDGE Maxx Crosby

Moses' debut with New England will not be easy. The veteran tackle is being asked to block a two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler.

It is possible that Josh McDaniels, New England's offensive coordinator, will call to double-team Crosby on certain downs, giving Moses help. It's also likely that Las Vegas tries Crosby on the opposite side to test rookie left tackle Will Campbell.

Either way, Moses will be asked to hold his own against one of the league's top rushers, and a failure to do so would be detrimental to the offense's performance.

Patriots WR Stefon Diggs vs. Raiders CB Eric Stokes/Darien Porter

The odds will be stacked against Las Vegas' cornerbacks as they try to guard Diggs, a two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler.

Porter is a rookie, taken in the third round. Stokes is entering his fifth season, but he only played half of the available defensive snaps in 2024 with Green Bay.

The Patriots are expecting Diggs to excel against Las Vegas' weak secondary, so they will be basing a large part of their game plan around him. If the 31-year-old receiver is thwarted by Stokes and Porter, it could throw New England's entire plan off base, derailing the offense. 

Expect Diggs to see increased targets in the red zone, as his explosive nature has served him well there throughout his career.