Patriots at Raiders
THE STORY: The New England Patriots and the Oakland Raiders would both be 3-0 had they not collapsed against the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots’ meltdown against Buffalo was far more stunning, though. New England is still kicking itself for blowing a 21-point lead as it heads to Oakland to face the surprising Raiders, who are coming off a convincing win over the New York Jets. The Patriots looked unstoppable over the first two weeks, with Tom Brady on a record-setting pace. Brady, however, tied a career- high with four interceptions last week – matching his total from all of last season – and the Bills ended a 15-game losing streak to New England with a 34-31, come-from-behind win. Things won’t get any easier against the league’s top-ranked rushing offense. Darren McFadden, who has rushed for an NFL-best 393 yards, ran through and around New York in Oakland’s 34-24 win last week. The teams have met three times since the infamous 2002 "Tuck Rule" playoff game that sparked a dynasty, with New England winning twice. Oakland, which is 2-1 for the first time in seven years, hasn't been to the playoffs since that snowy loss in Foxboro.
TV: CBS, 4:15 p.m. ET. LINE: Patriots -4.5, O/U 54.5
ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (2-1): New England’s pass rush (six sacks) has been nonexistent, which has led to the Patriots allowing an NFL-worst 468.7 yards per game. The offense (league-best 540.3 ypg) certainly hasn’t been a problem. Brady has passed for the most yards (1,327) in a three-week span in NFL history. Wes Welker, who leads the league in receiving yards (458) and receptions (31), had a career-high 16 catches for a franchise-record 216 yards last week. TE Rob Gronkowski ranks second in the NFL with five touchdowns.
ABOUT THE RAIDERS (2-1): Oakland, which is averaging a league-best 185 yards rushing, gouged the usually-stout Jets defense for 234 yards on the ground. McFadden ran for a career-high 171 yards on 19 carries. He suffered a groin injury late, but is expected to play. Defensively, the Raiders’ 10 sacks rank second in the AFC. DE Richard Seymour (three sacks) will be eager to harass Brady in his first game against his former team. Brady could feast on Oakland’s 28th-ranked pass defense (289.7 ypg), though.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Oakland blew an 18-point lead to Buffalo in a 38-35 loss in Week 2.
2. “It pretty much detracts everything.” – Welker, on the loss spoiling a record-setting day.
3. A native of San Mateo, Calif., Brady hasn't faced the Raiders in Oakland since Nov. 17, 2002 - 10 months after the playoff win. He missed the 2008 road game after tearing his ACL and MCL in the season opener.