Patriots-Raiders: New England Piles On the Points, Rocks Raiders 49-26

New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel threw four touchdown passes, two to former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Randy Moss, the Patriots scored 35 points before half time, and simply beat up the Raiders Sunday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, 49-26.

New England dominated this game from the start, and even when the victory was assured, they never let up. With the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets both victorious the Patriots are still in a three-way tie for first in the AFC East Division.

In a lot of ways this game seemed like a cathartic release for New England, as if they were making the Raiders pay, for the loss in last year’s Super Bowl, and the defeats they have suffered this season. This was definitely the most confident the Patriots had looked on the field, since early in the campaign.

Unlike their last few victories, where they have had to rely on come backs, New England realized early on they had Oakland’s number, and decided to exploit that the entire game.

For all intent and purposes, this game was over at the end of the first quarter. Cassel threw a seven-yard pass to Kevin Faulk, who then proceeded to run into the end zone with 10:23 in the first. The extra point kick by Stephen Gostkowski sailed through the goal posts and the Patriots led 7-0.

Cassel threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Randy Moss with 7:57 left in the first quarter, after the extra point it was New England leading 14-0. The Patriots were not done yet, as this time they turned to their running game, Sammy Morris ran the ball 29 yards for a touchdown.

Gostkowski once again kicked the extra point, and with 3:43 remaining in the first the Pats led 21-0.

Oakland got on the board with 1:34 as Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell unleashed a 56 yard pass to Johnnie Lee Higgins for a touchdown. Sebastian Janikowski kicked the point after through the uprights, and at the end of the first quarter, New England led 21-7.

Patriots would score again early in the second as Cassel threw a 13-yard pass to Wes Welker for a touchdown, the extra point was good, and it was a 28-7 game with 13:12 left on the clock. Oakland answered back seconds later as Justin Miller returned a kick 91 yards for a touchdown.

Janikowski got the extra point, and it was 28-14 with 12:59 to play in the quarter. Ellis Hobbs responded, as if he was playing H.O.R.S.E. in basketball, returning the Raiders kick for a 95-yard touchdown run. Gostkowski’s kick was good, and with 12:46 in the half New England led 35-14, which was the score as the two opponents went to their locker rooms at the half.

Cassel threw a nine-yard pass to Randy Moss with 11:36 in the third, for a touchdown, with the extra point the Patriots led 42-14. JaMarcus Russell threw a 10 yard pass to Ronald Curry for a touchdown, with 5:01 left in the period, Janikowski’s kick was blocked and the score was 42-20.

With 6:09 left to play in the fourth Lamont Jordan took off on a 49 yard run finishing in the Raiders end zone. Gostkowski again had his kick go through the uprights, and it was New England leading 49-20.

Darren McFadden ran the ball for an 11-yard touchdown for Oakland with 1:53 left to play, the Raiders attempted a two-point conversion, but failed and the final score was 49-26.

Cassel did not throw for a lot of yards, but he made the ones he got count. The Patriots quarterback completed 18/30 passes for 218 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 1 pick. Russell completed 17/31 passes for 242 yards, he had 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception.

Welker had 6 catches for 69 yards, 1 touchdown, Moss had 5 receptions for 67 yards and 2 touchdowns. Sammy Morris carried the ball 14 times for 117 yards. New England now 9-5 will host Arizona next Sunday, Oakland with a record of 3-11 will play host to Houston.

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