Even with heavy rain in Foxborough, Massachusetts, the Las Vegas Raiders didn't let a victory slip away in their season opener.
The Silver and Black came out on top with a 20-13 win over the New England Patriots.
The first drive for the Raiders offense couldn't have gone much better. Geno Smith started off the day with a 23-yard pass to Brock Bowers, followed by a nine-yard rush from rookie Ashton Jeanty. With a false start setting them back to 3-and-11, Smith scanned the field in the red zone to find a wide open Tre Tucker for a 26-yard touchdown.
Smith's opening drive was a precursor of what was to come, as he finished with 362 passing yards and completed 70.6 percent of his throws.
After a quick three-and-out for the Raiders defense, the offense began to drive down the field to try and take a two-possession lead. The drive was stalled as Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis undercut a pass to Bowers, tipping the ball up in the air for Jaylinn Hawkins to pick off.
The Patriots responded with a 77-yard drive down the field that resulted in a 3-yard touchdown connection from Drake Maye to DeMario Douglas. This score tied the game at 7 heading into the second quarter.
Points wouldn't be added to the scoreboard until right before halftime, when rookie kicker Andres Borregales knocked in a 39-yard field goal after missing a 40-yarder on their prior possession. Las Vegas tried to tie the ballgame back up before half, however Daniel Carlson went wide left on a 58-yard field goal attempt.
The Silver and Black got off to a hot start in the second half, getting their first turnover of the season. As Maxx Crosby rushed inside and pressured Maye, he forced the quarterback to float a pass over his intended receiver. Safety Isaiah Pola-Mao was sitting back in coverage to come away with the pick.
Like the Patriots did in the first quarter, the Raiders capitalized on their turnover for seven points. Smith went 3-of-3 for 49 passing yards down the field, with Ashton Jeanty pushing through from the 3-yard line for the first rushing touchdown of his career.
The Patriots next four drives ended in punts as the Raiders defense came alive with sacks from Tyree Wilson and Malcolm Koonce. Carlson added two field goals to extend the lead to 20-10.
A 44-yard field goal made by Borregales with 22 seconds left in regulation were the only points scored by the Patriots in the second half.
With this win, the Raiders broke a 11-game skid of losing games when down at halftime. A Monday Night Football showdown with the Los Angeles Chargers awaits them back in the desert for Week 2.
View photos from the Raiders' Week 1 matchup against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) makes a 26-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) celebrates with center Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) after making a 26-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders special teams during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45), cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) and linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) and defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) rushes for a 3-yard touchdown during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) celebrates after rushing for a 3-yard touchdown during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) celebrates after rushing for a 3-yard touchdown during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) celebrates with defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) after rushing for a 3-yard touchdown during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight ends coach Luke Steckel on the sidelines during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) lines up to kick a 51-yard field goal during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) kicks a 40-yard field goal during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) celebrates with quarterback Geno Smith (7) after kicking a 40-yard field goal during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Justin Shorter (88) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) and linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) and wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) in the locker room after the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly in the locker room after the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) in the locker room after the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) and running back Ashton Jeanty (2) in the locker room after the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) in the locker room after the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) in the locker room after the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) in the locker room after the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) in the locker room after the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll addresses his players in the locker room after the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) in the locker room after the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders in the locker room after the regular season away game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
