Randy Moss (81) of the New England Patriots celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL game on December 14, 2008 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. - Getty Images

The Result

The New England Patriots came into their game today knowing that they needed to win to keep pace with the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets at the top of the AFC East. They also didn’t know how Matt Cassel would react after limited practice this week after the death of his father.

Like a true professional, Cassel was able to put aside his grief for 4 quarters of football as he led the Patriots to 4 touchdowns on their first 4 drives to help his team to a 49-26 manhandling of the Oakland Raiders on a rainy afternoon at the Oakland Coliseum.

The win keeps the Patriots tied for 1st place in the AFC East with the Jets and the Dolphins. Based on the tiebreakers right now, the Jets are the division leaders with the Patriots and Dolphins tied with the Baltimore Ravens for the final playoff spot. The Ravens hold that tiebreaker.

New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel walks off the field with the game ball after a win over the Oakland Raiders in an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif. - AP PhotoThe Patriots were able to take advantage of some good field position in the 1st quarter to get out to a quick 14-0 lead behind Cassel. On the Patriots third offensive set of the game, he led them on a 9 play 83 yard yard drive that ended on a Sammy Morris 29 yard touchdown run. Considering everything he’s gone through this week, I was impressed with his play. He shared a moment with Bill Belichick after the game and tucked the game ball under shoulder as left the field.

Randy Moss and Lamont Jordan both returned to Oakland for the first time since leaving there (Moss via trade, Jordan via free agency after being cut). They were both showered by boos, with most of them directed at Moss. Both had great games as well as Moss had two touchdown catches and Jordan had a 49 yard touchdown run. As you can see by the picture at the top, Moss let the fans know who he was.

Defensively, the Patriots limited the big plays to just a few. They were also able to take advantage ofthe Raiders porous line to put a lot of pressure on Jamarcus Russell.

Hopefully the injury to Matt Light isn’t too serious as he will be needed during the final two games as the Patriots push for the playoffs continues.

Let’s face it folks. This game wasn’t supposed to hard and it wasn’t.  The Raiders right now are an awful team and an embarrassment. I will give them credit though they never gave up although I think they wished they stayed home instead of getting a beat down in a driving rain.

Scoring Plays

PATRIOTS 21 14 7 7 49
RAIDERS 7 7 6 6 26

1st Quarter

NE – Kevin Faulk 7 yard pass from Matt Cassel (Stephen Gostowski PAT)

NE – Randy Moss 20 yard pass from Cassel (Gostowski PAT)

Kevin Faulk (33) of the New England Patriots celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL game on December 14, 2008 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum - Getty ImagesNE – Sammy Morris 29 yard run (Gostowski PAT)

OAK – Johnnie Lee Higgins 56 yard pass from Jamarcus Russell (Sebastian Janikowski PAT)

2nd Quarter

NE – Wes Welker 20 yard pass from Cassel (Gostowski PAT)

OAK – Justin Miller 91 yard kickoff return (Janikowski PAT)

NE – Ellis Hobbs 95 yard kickoff return (Janikowski PAT)

3rd Quarter

NE – Moss 9 yard pass from Cassel (Gostowski PAT)

OAK – Ronald Curry 10 yard pass from Russell (Janikowski PAT blocked)

4th Quarter

NE – Lamont Jordan 49 yard run (Gostowski PAT)

OAK – Darren McFadden 15 yard run (2-pt conversion failed)

Offensive Player of the Game

The offensive player of the game could be anyone of the following players.

  • Matt Cassel – 18-of-30 for 218 yards with 4 touchdowns and an interception
  • Sammy Morris – 14 carries for 117 yards and a touchdown
  • Lamont Jordan – 12 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown
  • Wes Welker – 6 catches for 69 yards and a touchdown
  • Randy Moss – 5 catches for 67 yards and 2 touchdowns
  • Kevin Faulk – 6 catches for 66 yards and a touchdown

I’m giving it to Cassel.

Defensive Player of the Game

Who else but the rookie Jerod Mayo. Mayo finished the game with 11 tackles.

Turning Point(s) of the Game

  1. The opening kickoff when a Kelly Washington tackle on the opening kickoff pinned the Raiders deep in their own territory.  The Patriots forced a 3-and-out and got the ball in good field position to set up their first score.
  2. After Justin Miller took a kickoff back for a touchdown to cut the Patriots lead to 28-14, Ellis Hobbs returned the favor with one of his own to put the game out of reach.

Offensive Leaders/Notes

  • New England Patriots Sammy Morris runs past Oakland Raiders Chris Johnson (37) for a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game - AP PhotoMatt Cassel – 18-of-30 for 218 yards with 4 touchdowns and an interception. Sammy Morris – 14 carries for 117 yards and a touchdown.  Lamont Jordan – 12 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown. Wes Welker – 6 catches for 69 yards and a touchdown. Randy Moss – 5 catches for 67 yards and 2 touchdowns. Kevin Faulk – 6 catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.
  • 1st qtr – 3rd/6 OAK 36 – Matt Cassel hits Wes Welker for 20 yards
  • 2nd/7 OAK 7 – Cassel hits Kevin Faulk for a 7 yard td pass
  • 1st/10 OAK 35 – Sammy Morris runs for 20 yards
  • 2nd/10 OAK 20 – Cassel hits Randy Moss for 20 yards and a touchdown
  • 1st/10 NE 17 – Morris runs for 14 yards
  • 1st/10 NE 43 – Cassel scrambles for 10 yards. flag on the play. Oakland called for defensive holding. 5 yards tacked on at the end of the run
  • 2nd/10 OAK 42 – Cassel hits Moss for 13 yards. Flag on the play. Oakland called for defensive holding. Penalty declined
  • 2nd/10 OAK 29 – Morris goes up the middle for 29 yards and a touchdown
  • 3rd/2 NE 31 – Oakland called for offsides to give Patriots a first down.
  • 2nd qtr – 2nd/6 NE 40 – Cassel hits Kevin Faulk for 14 yards
  • 1st/10 OAK 46 – Cassel hits Welker for 30 yards
  • 2nd/7  OAK 13 – Cassel hits Welker for 13 yards and a touchdown.
  • 2nd/10 NE 20 – Lamont Jordan runs for 9 yards
  • 1st/10 NE 31 – Cassel scrambles for 8 yards
  • 2nd/2 NE 39 – Jordan runs for 10 yards
  • 3rd/2 OAK 43 – Cassels pass for Benjamin Watson is tipped and intercepted by Gibril Wilson who returns it 5 yards
  • 1st/10 NE 17 – Faulk runs for 23 yards
  • 1st/10 NE 40 – Cassel hits Faulk for 12 yards
  • Kevin Faulk (33) of the New England Patriots runs for a touchdown in the first half against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL game on December 14, 2008 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum - Getty Images2nd/10 OAK 48 – Cassel hits Faulk for 19 yards
  • 1st/10  OAK 13 – Cassel sacked for 1 yard loss
  • 2nd/11 OAK 14 – New England called for illegal shift. 10 second runoff leaves 1 second and clock runs out before field goal is kicked.
  • 3rd qtr – 2nd/9 NE 33 – Cassel hits Moss for 11 yards
  • 1st/10 NE 44 – Cassel hits Moss for 14 yards
  • 1st/10 OAK 42 – Morris runs for 35 yards
  • 3rd/goal OAK 9 – Cassel hits Moss for 9 yards and a touchdown
  • 3rd/7 NE 23 – Oakland called for defensive holding to give Patriots 5 yards and the automatic 1st down
  • 3rd/6 NE 32 – Cassel sacked for a 7 yard loss
  • 1st/10 NE 22 – Cassel hits Sam Aiken for 16 yards
  • 4th qtr – 1st/10 NE 38 – Jordan rushes for 9 yards
  • 1st/10 NE 50 – Cassel hits Welker who is stopped for 4 yard loss
  • 3rd/14 NE 46 – Faulk rushes for 9 yards
  • 3rd/2 OAK 49 – Jordan rushes 49 yards for a touchdown

Defensive Leaders/Notes

  • Jerod Mayo had 11 tackles. Brandon Meriweather had 6 tackles. Mike Vrabel had 5 tackles and a sack.
  • 1st qtr – 1st/10 OAK 7 – Mike Vrabel stops Justin Fargas for no gain
  • 3rd/9 OAK 17 – Vrabel sacks Jamarcus Russell and forces a fumble recovered by Oakland
  • 1st/10 OAK 26 – Ty Warren called for 5 yard neutral zone infraction
  • 1st/10 OAK 37 – Darren McFadden stopped for no gain by Richard Seymour and Vince Wilfork
  • Jonathan Wilhite (24) of the New England Patriots intercepts the ball in the first half against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL game on December 14, 2008 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum - Getty Images2nd qtr – 2nd/2 NE 24 – Russell’s pass for Ashley Lelie is intercepted by Jonathan Wilhite at his one yard line. He returned it 16 yards
  • 3rd qtr – 1st/10 OAK 50 – McFadden stopped for no gain by Jerod Mayo
  • 3rd/10 OAK 50 – Mike Wright sacks Russell for 15 yard loss. Russell fumbles and loses another yard
  • 4th qtr – 1st/10 NE 43 – Mayo stops McFadden for no gain
  • 3rd/4 NE 25 – LeKevin Smith stops McFadden for no gain
  • 2nd/7 NE 18 – Ellis Hobbs called for illegal use of hands

Special Teams Notes

  • Kelly Washington made a great tackle on the opening kickoff pinning the Raiders deep in their own end.
  • Patriots allow 91 yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Justin Miller in the 2nd quarter.
  • Ellis Hobb’s followed up Miller’s return with a 96 yard kickoff return for a touchdown of his own.
  • Jerod Mayo picked up an ineligble down field penalty on a punt in the 3rd quarter.
  • Vince Wilfork blocks an extra point in the 3rd quarter

Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots throws the challenge flag against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL game on December 14, 2008 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California - Getty ImagesCoaching Decisions

  • In the 1st quarter, Bill Belichick challenged that the Raiders had 12 men on the field. His challenged was denied
  • In the 4th quarter, Belichick challenged the spot of the ball. He lost the challenge as well.

Injuries

  • LB Mike Vrabel was shaken up in the 1st quarter. He walked off the field under his own power and returned to the game.
  • Safety Lewis Sanders was shaken up in the second quarter. He returned to the game on the next set of downs
  • OL Matt Light was taken off the field with a shoulder injury in the second quarter. His return was announced as questionable and he didn’t return to the game.
  • LB Gary Guyton took himself off the field with an ankle injury. His return was announced as questionable and he didn’t return to the game.

The Officials

  • The referee was John Parry.
  • Parry has had only one call overturned by replay this season which is a league low.

Game Notes

  • Patriots inactives:
    S James Sanders
    RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis
    TE Tyson DeVree
    C/G Dan Connolly
    C/G Billy Yates
    OT Wesley Britt
    ILB Tedy Bruschi
    Matt Gutierrez – third quarterback
  • Note: The third quarterback can still enter the game at any time, but if he does so in the first, second or third quarters, the team can no longer use its top two quarterbacks the rest of the game.
  • Offensive starters for the Patriots:
    QB: Matt Cassel
    RB: Sammy Morris
    WR: Randy Moss
    WR: Wes Welker
    WR: Jabar Gaffney
    LT: Matt Light
    LG: Logan Mankins
    C: Dan Koppen
    RG: Stephen Neal
    RT: Nick Kaczur
    TE: Benjamin Watson
  • Defensive starters for the Patriots:
    DE: Ty Warren
    NT: Vince Wilfork
    DE: Richard Seymour
    OLB: Mike Vrabel
    ILB: Jerod Mayo
    ILB: Gary Guyton
    OLB: Rosevelt Colvin
    CB: Ellis Hobbs
    CB: Jonathan Wilhite
    S: Lewis Sanders
    S: Brandon Meriweather
  • The Raiders won the toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff
  • New England is now 67-17 in games played after November 1st since 2001.
  • Matt Cassel threw three touchdown passes in the first half, tying his single-game career high for touchdown passes
  • Kevin Faulk scored his  fifth touchdown of the season (three rushing, two receiving). Faulk’s five touchdowns this season tie the second highest total of his career, joining his 2000 total (four rushing, one receiving). Faulk’s five touchdowns are his highest single-season total since 2002, when he had a career-high seven touchdowns (two rushing, three receiving, two via kickoff returns).
  • Ellis Hobb’s kickoff return for a touchdown was the third of  his career, tying Raymond Clayborn for the most in team history. Clayborn returned three kickoffs for touchdowns in his Patriots career with all three returns coming in his rookie season of 1977.
  • Sammy Morris had his team-high seventh rushing score of the season. His seven overall touchdowns are a career high, topping his six touchdowns as a rookie with Buffalo in 2000 (five rushing, one receiving) and his six scores (all rushing) with Miami in 2004.
  • Wes Welker caught his 100th pass of the season, a 13-yard touchdown reception from Matt Cassel in the second quarter. Welker, who had a franchise-record 112 catches in 2007, became the first player to have back-to-back 100-catch seasons with the Patriots and became the eighth player in NFL history to achieve the feat. Welker joins Marvin Harrison (1999-2002), Jerry Rice (1994-96), Herman Moore (1995-97), Sterling Sharpe (1992-93), Cris Carter (1994-95), Rod Smith (2000-01) and Randy Moss (2002-03) as the only players in league history to achieve the feat. Welker’s 100-catch performance is the third in Patriots history, joining his franchise-record 112 catches last season and Troy Brown’s total of 101 catches in 2001.
  • The Patriots scored 21 points in the first quarter today, tying the team record for most points in the quarter.
  • The Patriots have won at least 9 games for the 8th straight season.

Post Game Press Conferences

Listen to what Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, quarterback Matt Cassel had to say about the game.

Post game press conferences via patriots.com

Things To Work On For Next Week

  • Need to execute better on kickoff coverage

Next Week’s Opponent

The Patriots head home to take on the NFC West champion Arizona Cardinals in their home finale at Gillette Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 PM and the game will be broadcast on FOX.