The up-start Oakland Raiders lost their fourth game of the season at home against the New England Patriots, 31-19. In many ways the Raiders outplayed the Patriots, out gaining them by nearly 100 yards, putting up a season-high 504 yards against a once vaunted defense. Oakland began the game by taking a 3-0 lead on its first drive as Sebastian Janikowski kicked a 28 yard field goal after the offense drove the ball all the way down to the Patriots’ eleven yard line.
New England jumped right back, driving the ball 80 yards on nine plays in their first possession, capping it off with a 15 yard strike from Tom Brady to receiver Wes Welker. After two punts, the teams exchanged touchdowns, both coming on 80 yard drives. The Raiders used a strong running game to methodically march down the field, finishing the drive with a one yard Michael Bush touchdown run. Unable to slow down the Patriots passing attack however, the Raiders gave up explosive plays down field as well as the lead mid-way through the second quarter.
The Raiders put together what appeared to be the go-ahead drive when quarterback Jason Campbell threw an interception in the end zone, killing the Raiders 80 yard drive. The Patriots essentially turned the interception into a 10 point play, as they took their next drive 54 yards for a field goal to end the half, giving them a 17-10 lead.
The Raiders gave up another score to the Patriots opening up the second half, this time an 80 yard drive that consumed four minutes of the third quarter. The Raiders would answer with a score on their ensuing possession, but their offense once again stalled in the red zone and end up settling for a short field goal. Down 24-13, the Raiders made a rare stop on the Patriots top rated offense. Showing the same consistent moving the ball between the twenties, Campbell once again sucked the air out of the stadium by throwing an interception in the red zone. New England put the game away on their next drive to open the fourth quarter, while the Raiders added a cosmetic score before time expired.
Outside of the critical Cambell interceptions and red zone inefficiency, there was plenty of positives for the Raiders’ offense. First, they averaged close to six yards a carry and accumulated nearly 160 yards on the ground, going with a bevy of fast and powerful backs that includes Darrn McFadden. Even Campbell had plenty of bright moments before melting down deep inside Patriots; territory, throwing for nearly 350 yards. Oakland struggled containing the powerful New England offense however, yielding over 400 total yards, including 183 to what was considered a rather middling running attack. With an inability to convert after long drives, the Raiders were unable to match the Pats offense, despite out gaining and seemingly outplaying through stretches of the contest. Darrius Heyward-Bey was the star for the Raiders, finishing the game with 115 yards on four receptions, including a long of 58 yards.
