The Raiders feel like a good opening test for Maye and the Pats. Las Vegas had a middling pass defense last season, finishing 15th in passing yards allowed. But they did give up a lot of aerial touchdowns (29, tied for fifth-most in the NFL) and did not notch a ton of interceptions (10, tied for 22nd) or sacks (38, tied for 21st),
A domed game on a fast track against a mediocre team is just what the Dolphins need to get off to a good start. Indianapolis is better than you'd think with a similar eight wins last year despite awful quarterback play. Daniel Jones will improve that some. But the Dolphins' speed on offense will benefit from the fast field and this Dolphins defense can hold up against Jones and this offense. This season gets the good start it desperately needs.
The 2025 college football season opened in earnest with incredible weather in most locales ( Lubbock, Texas, aside), exciting and jam-packed environments ... and very few points. No one topped 17 points in either of Saturday's top-10 matchups, FBS teams averaged only 23.5 points per game against other FBS teams, and throughout the country, rebuilt offensive lines and new quarterbacks seemed at a disadvantage against rebuilt defenses.
A stacked lineup of night games along the West Coast on the first fully-loaded Saturday was devoid of drama, except in the Pacific Northwest. Washington State needed a late field goal to secure a 13-10 victory over Idaho and avoid what would have been a sour start to coach Jimmy Rogers' tenure. Across the state, Washington used a dominant fourth quarter to put away Colorado State 38-21 and (partially) justify the optimism accompanying Jedd Fisch's second season on Montlake.