Early on, it looked as if the New England Patriots were capable of scoring 100 points on the Raiders, but, then again, a 21-point deficit for Oakland might as well be a 100-point deficit. The Patriots used a dominant first quarter, and a strong performance from Matt Cassel to blast Oakland, 49-26. Cassel, playing with a heavy heart, completed 18-of-30 passes for 218 yards and four touchdowns. He threw a pair of scores in the first quarter -- one to Kevin Faulk, the other to Randy Moss -- while also connecting with Wes Welker in the second, and once again hitting Moss for a nine-yard strike in the third quarter.
Moss, by the way, making his return to Oakland after two less-than-stellar years there, hauled in five passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns. But, hey, Oakland has John Bowie to show for that draft-day trade. Oops.
The most exciting moment of the game was a 20-second stretch in the second quarter that saw both teams combine for three touchdowns, two of which came on kickoff returns.
