The Raiders opened a new era on Sunday with a 20 to 13 win over the New England Patriots, giving Pete Carroll his first victory as Las Vegas head coach. The day belonged to Geno Smith, who made his Raiders debut with control and confidence, and to a defense that disrupted New England enough to tilt the game. Smith looked comfortable from the start. He finished 24 of 34 for 362 yards with a touchdown and one interception, spreading the ball and keeping the offense on schedule. His timing was sharp and his pocket command steady, exactly what the Raiders needed to steady the opener. Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty added balance and punched in his first NFL touchdown. Tight end Brock Bowers was a handful before exiting, posting five catches for 103 yards as a seam and run after catch threat that stressed New England’s coverage. Carroll and Smith arriving together brought philosophical continuity to Las Vegas. The play calling, tempo, and situational choices felt familiar to what Smith has thrived in, and that familiarity showed up in clean execution. On defense, Maxx Crosby notched a first quarter sack and set the tone off the edge. Las Vegas kept the Patriots in long yardage spots and won key downs. New England converted only four of fourteen on third down, a number that defined the second half. New England still had bright spots. Drake Maye distributed the ball to multiple targets and finished 30 of 46 for 287 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Kayshon Boutte crossed the 100 yard mark, and Hunter Henry and Stefon Diggs were steady outlets. But the offense stalled after halftime and could not finish drives. The Patriots’ defense produced headline performances even in defeat. Harold Landry III delivered 2.5 sacks with backfield disruption throughout, and safety Jaylinn Hawkins recorded both a sack and an interception. Those are foundations the unit can build on as the season settles. Las Vegas was not perfect, but it did not need to be. Smith’s command, Jeanty’s first score, and Bowers’ impact created consistent threats, while the defense won downs and kept Maye from finding a rhythm late. It was a pragmatic road win that fits the identity Carroll wants to establish. For New England, the story is about balance. Maye showed poise in stretches, but the run game never found traction and protection wavered under pressure. Until the offense becomes more balanced and more consistent on third down, results will look like this. Week 1 is a tone setter, not a verdict. The Raiders leave Foxborough with a clean, composed opening statement. The Patriots leave with proof that their defense has difference makers and a clear list of fixes on offense.