FOXBOROUGH – Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was a surprise guest at the Patriots’ annual Salvation Army Holiday Party tonight at Gillette Stadium. He spoke with media members for about two minutes after signing autographs for those in attendance.

At one point, Brady threw a Nerf football to 10-year-old Abismal Vargas of Providence, R.I., for his first completion since injuring his left knee in the season opener Sept. 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Here is the Q&A; session with media members:

What are you able to do from a rehab standpoint?
“I’m here to talk about this Patriots Charitable Foundation. That’s what we’re all here for.”

So you missed the attention, you wanted to come out and visit with everyone?
“It’s the holiday season, so I think everyone’s got that holiday spirit. You see the kids and I was there one day. I had so many idols growing up, people that I loved to watch on TV. All of our teammates come out and support the foundation, and I know it’s an important part for Mr. Kraft, so I think it’s important for all our players to do this.”

Is it nice to get out? We haven’t seen you much?
“I’ve been out. I’ve been out, moving around, excited to see our team win. I think that’s the most exciting part for me.”

How are you feeling, I think everybody wants to know, and wants details?
“I feel great when our team wins, I’ll tell you that. This last weekend; we have a lot of toughness on our team. I hope we can win out, this game certainly, and move forward and hopefully get a little bit of luck.”

Impressed with Matt Cassel’s performance so far?
“He’s done incredible. I think he’s had a very tough week. He’s had a lot of support from his teammates. He’s a great person, a great teammate, a great friend, and he’s such a mentally tough person. Just the success that I’ve seen from him and his maturity is exceptional.”

The condition of the left knee, is the infection cleared at this point?
“Belichick never wants us to talk about any of that. We’re just going to root, the season is not over. I’m on injured reserve, so I can’t do much for the team at this point, other than show my support.”

How tough has it been to be a spectator this year?
“Like I said, when we win, I’m excited for us. When we lose, it stinks. It’s no different when you’re playing or when you’re watching. My heart and soul is with this team, so you live and die with every win and loss.”

At that point, Brady told media members he wanted to get going. He was asked one final question if he was healthy enough to play golf. “I wish,” he responded. “Not in this weather, although yesterday I probably could have.”

Receiver Wes Welker and kicker Stephen Gostkowski have been voted to the Pro Bowl, it was announced today.

It is the first Pro Bowl berth for both players. The game will be played Sunday, Feb. 8 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, HI.

Four receivers are selected in the AFC, and Welker, who ranks second in the NFL with 102 receptions, was named a reserve behind Houston's Andre Johnson and Denver's Brandon Marshall.

Gostkowski is the AFC's lone kicker. He is 30 of 33 on field goals this season, having hit all 34 of his extra-point attempts. His 30 field goals are tied for most in the NFL are are two shy of the Patriots' single-season record (Tony Franklin, 32, 1986).

Some quick facts on the Pro Bowl honors for Welker and Gostkowski:

Patriots coach Bill Belichick held his regular Tuesday conference call with reporters (noon) and here were a few topics of note.

Every Tuesday on Boston.com, questions from Patriots fans are answered as part of a weekly mailbag. This week's mailbag has been posted and includes some of the following topics:

With Fox scheduled to broadcast Sunday's game between the visiting Cardinals and Patriots, the trio of Kenny Albert (play-by-play), Daryl Johnston (analyst) and Tony Siragusa (sideline) will call the game. This marks the first Patriots game this season to be called by Albert, Johnston and Siragusa.

A look at the 1-2 broadcast tandems calling Patriots games this season:

Patriots-Chiefs: Greg Gumbel-Dan Dierdorf (CBS)
Patriots-Jets: Jim Nantz-Phil Simms (CBS)
Patriots-Dolphins: Ian Eagle-Solomon Wilcots (CBS)
Patriots-49ers: Dick Enberg-Randy Cross (CBS)
Patriots-Chargers: Al Michaels-John Madden (NBC)
Patriots-Broncos: Mike Tirico-Tony Kornheiser-Ron Jaworski (ESPN)
Patriots-Rams: Chris Rose-J.C. Pearson (Fox)
Patriots-Colts: Al Michaels-John Madden (NBC)
Patriots-Bills: Dick Enberg-Randy Cross (CBS)
Patriots-Jets: Bob Papa-Cris Collinsworth (NFL Network)
Patriots-Dolphins: Greg Gumbel-Dan Dierdorf (CBS)
Patriots-Steelers: Greg Gumbel-Dan Dierdorf (CBS)
Patriots-Seahawks: Dick-Enberg-Randy Cross (CBS)
Patriots-Raiders: Kevin Harlan-Rich Gannon (CBS)
Patriots-Cardinals: Kenny Albert-Daryl Johnston-Tony Siragusa (Fox)

A look at the snaps played by Patriots defensive players in Sunday's win over the Raiders, which can sometimes provide more insight into how personnel is utilized:

Patriots coach Bill Belichick held a conference call with media members today (5 p.m.) and he was asked a few injury-related questions, specifically with left tackle Matt Light.

Here is the Q&A; from that segment:

Another week, another game in which a couple players couldn’t finish due to health problems. Any feel for if Matt Light is a serious, sort of season-ending type thing, or is more time needed there?
“As you know, we got back real late last night and the players are coming in today, doctors and trainers are looking at them. It’s still pretty early here in the week. We’ll see how it goes. I’m sure at this time of year, everybody is less than 100 percent, and we have a lot of guys with bumps and bruises, and are sore and all that. It was a long flight back. It’s a two-game season. I felt like our players showed a lot of toughness and resiliency this week after the Seattle game, and then coming back, probably guys that after the Seattle game didn’t look like they’d be able to play against Oakland, they played and played well. We’ll just take it day to day here and see where we’re at Wednesday when we go out to practice, and then see how things go as we come into the end of the week. But no, there is nothing that I would say – from the end of the game yesterday until today – that I know of that will be a major season-ending nature, but that could all change, too. Right now, we’re just re-evaluating.”

The Patriots entered Sunday's game against the Raiders having been flagged for a league low 44 accepted penalties, putting them on pace to set the NFL record for fewest penalties (59) in a 16-game season (since 1978).

After being flagged for four accepted penalties on Sunday, the team is still on pace to break the record.

The accepted penalties were:

Running back Sammy Morris held a conference call with media members today (1 p.m.), and the Patriots’ hard-charging running game was a topic of discussion. The Patriots totaled 277 rushing yards against the Raiders.

But it wasn’t just the running game the produced big results; the kickoff return team did, too.

Morris was used as the “off" returner along with Ellis Hobbs – assuming the role that has regularly been held by rookie Matthew Slater – and he recapped Hobbs’ 95-yard return for a score in the second quarter.

“It’s a great feeling,” Morris said. “It’s good when you can see the play unfolding and you have your block, and you don’t know where the returner is but you can hear the crowd. And just by the sound the crowd was making, you knew a big play was coming. Especially at that point in the game, where they were making moves back to kind of gain the advantage, we were able to take that right back."

In addition to Hobbs and Morris at returner, the Patriots had Stephen Neal, Russ Hochstein and Le Kevin Smith in the wedge, and Sam Aiken, Heath Evans, Larry Izzo, Gary Guyton, David Thomas and Ray Ventrone up the field.

Safety Brandon Meriweather held a conference call with reporters today (12:30 p.m.) and his emergence as a full-time starter was a topic of discussion.

Since Rodney Harrison sustained a season-ending injury Oct. 20, Meriweather has stepped in and played every snap. He had previously been the team’s No. 3 safety, behind Harrison and James Sanders.

“My comfort level is pretty high right now,” said Meriweather, noting that he’s also in a better place to make defensive calls in the secondary. “I’m having fun playing the game.”

Meriweather also was asked to reflect on an aspect of his game that has improved since his rookie season, and he said it was his ball skills. The Patriots' 2007 first-round draft choice had a handful of interceptions that he couldn't corral last season, but he's been better in that area this year (team-high 4 interceptions).

Coming off Sunday's 49-26 win over the Raiders, the Patriots arrived back in town around 4 a.m. this morning, according to Meriweather. But while players might be dragging today, Meriweather believes staying on the West Coast all week was a benefit.

“I think it kept a lot more in us,” he said. “I think we understood as a team that flying back and forth and back and forth probably would have taken more out of us.”

OAKLAND, Calif., -- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell attended Sunday's game between the Patriots and Raiders at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. At halftime, he spoke with reporters in the press box.

The Q&A; was naturally heavy on issues specific to the Bay Area. A few points of note included:

The Sports Business Journal ranks the Top 50 most influential people in sports business, and Patriots chairman/CEO Robert Kraft is No. 12.

The write-up on Kraft, one of four football owners in the Top 50, reads this way:

Robert Kraft continues his run as one of the NFL's most important owners.

Even with the loss of star quarterback Tom Brady, the Patriots’ admired depth and football system has kept the club in the playoff hunt. Off the field, Kraft’s post as chairman of the broadcast committee keeps him on top of the league’s biggest revenue line, and the opening of the retail Patriot Place adjacent to Gillette Stadium is a trendsetter for stadium and retail development.

Kraft also has groomed his son, Jonathan, as a leading team executive, ensuring that the Kraft name will continue to be an influential one in NFL circles for many years to come.

A look at the positional groupings utilized by the Patriots in their 49-26 win over the Raiders:

A look at the snaps played by Patriots skill-position players in the team's 49-26 win over the Raiders:

OAKLAND, Calif. – Patriots coach Bill Belichick opened his post-game press conference with the following comments:

“It was a good win for our team today. I was really proud of the way the guys played. We talked about, going into the game, how important it was to get off to a fast start. They really came out, the opening kickoff, those first three possessions, we got some big stops on defense, the offense took advantage of the field position we got on defense and special teams and converted those into points. That was really huge for us. I’m really happy for several guys, LaMont [Jordan] and Randy [Moss] of course. They did a great job all week of helping us get prepared and I thought they both had some big plays in the game today and played very well. I’m glad they’re on our football team. They certainly helped us. The offensive line did a terrific job. We ran the ball well. The backs ran hard. I just can’t say enough about Matt Cassel. I’ve been through that myself a couple years ago, I know what that’s like. I thought he did a great job in his preparation, his focus, and showed a lot of commitment to the team. He carried us a long way today. He deserves all the accolades he gets. It was a tough situation for him but he really stood up and met the challenge and played well in not the greatest conditions out there. We’re back at it now, we have another big game coming up against Arizona. We’ll have to gear it up for them. But it’s great to come out and win these two on the West Coast, and we’ll head back to Foxborough and get ready for the Cardinals.”

Can you comment on Wes Welker, and some of his big catches, early on third down?
“Offensively, we had a lot of guys who had a lot of big plays for us. Wes and Randy, and certainly the backs. Wes has been a clutch player for us all year, and he did it again. A lot of man-to-man coverage as the Raiders always do – Rob [Ryan] and Al Davis, they have their defensive scheme, they try to get up on the receivers tight. It’s really up to those guys to get free and get away from them. They did a good job on that. I thought [offensive coordinator] Josh [McDaniels] had a great game-plan ready, and the offensive staff, those guys did a great job getting the players ready and putting us in position where we could make some plays. The players went out and made them.”

You had the three backs really getting involved. Was it a point of emphasis to spread it around?
“No, we were out there, and we had a lot of plays on offense just the way the game went. I thought all the backs ran well. They all have different styles but they’re all productive. We just tried to use everybody a little bit.”

Sammy Morris, when he stays healthy, seems to have big games for you?
“Sammy is a good player, a good back, he catches the ball well, he runs hard, he has good quickness and plays with good power. He does a lot of things well. All of our backs have been productive. They have different styles, different ways of doing it, but they gain a lot of yards for us.”

You mentioned LaMont and Randy did a great job for you leading up to the game. How do?
“They’re familiar with this team and we haven’t played them since ’05. They’re familiar with the team, their players, their tendencies, some things like that. It was helpful. They gave us some insight on how different guys played, what their strengths and weaknesses were, and that helped us in preparation too. Also, I thought we had a real good week of practice. This was LaMont’s best week in quite a while, he’s been out. He had a little bit of time last week. Randy had a great week too.”

You mentioned the fast start. Do you think last week, against Seattle, was any kind of wake-up call?
“You never want to start the game down 14-3, like we did last week. We talked about that this week, and we watched film of several games. We watched the Baltimore game, we talked about the San Diego game, we watched the Atlanta game. There were some teams that were able to get on top of the Raiders early. We felt like if we were ready to go, and did a good job in the three different phases, we might have those opportunities as well. The first kickoff, we got them inside the 10, forced a punt, had good field position, capitalized on it. Stopped them again, short punt, good field position again capitalized on it. We were able to turn those opportunities in all three areas – offense, defense, special teams, we played a good complementary game for the first 8-10 minutes of the first quarter. That was huge for us. We talked about it all week and the guys were really focused and prepared. They did a great job executing.”

Did you sense anything in the week leading up to the game that Randy had a little extra excitement coming back here?
“I don’t know, Randy practices well all the time. He really does. He’s a good practice player. He’s a good game player. He’s always excited to play. He always looks forward to the plays we have in that game-plan and the way they play their coverages, and how to attack it, and the opportunities that he has as well as the rest of the offense. I don’t mean it like this was something that was unusual. He had a real good week of practice and he played well. But he practices well every week, he really does. I think offensively, we had some opportunities to move the ball and scored points, and we took advantage of it.”

OAKLAND, Calif., -- Comments from Raiders head coach Tom Cable and players following the Patriots’ decisive victory

Tom Cable
(on the game)
“Obviously, we got ourselves in a huge hole in the first half and we really had trouble getting a stop. I thought we started to get some rhythm offensively and we traded big plays with them with the kickoff returns. It was too big of a hole for us to overcome and we traded points in the second half. It was a great effort for the team to keep playing in the end.”

(on the play of the Raiders’ offense)
“It was the first time all season we had some rhythm and some balance. There is productivity there. Any time we get into that rhythm, it is a great thing, especially for JaMarcus Russell. I am really excited about what JaMarcus did after the third drive. The first two drives were a little out of whack because he was throwing all over the place. He made some really good decisions and stood in there to pass a touchdown to Johnnie Lee Higgins. That is growth.”

CB Nnamdi Asomugha
(on the Patriots’ schemes)
“They did a good job scheming out defense. They knew we were going to be in man and they were able to get pick routes, and that will make it difficult any day. We needed to make adjustments throughout the game. We can’t let the game have its way with us and in the end we just need to play better.”

LB Thomas Howard
(on the game)
“We came into the game knowing that their scheme would not be too complicated. They just go a great job of executing the plays. The scheme was not that difficult. In the end, they executed real well and had great play-calling.”

OAKLAND, Calif., -- Comments from the Patriots’ locker room following the team’s win over the Raiders:

WR Wes Welker
(on Randy Moss’s performance)
“I think it meant a lot to him. There was a lot of focus that went into Randy this week, but you could tell he wanted this game, and really wanted to show what kind of player he is.”

OLB Mike Vrabel
(on the game)
“The fast start was our emphasis and when it works, it’s good. We were prepared and we came out ready to go. We tried playing from behind last week and that’s a lot harder than it is like we did today.

(on being tied for first place in the AFC East)
“We are right where we thought we would be. Every week is important. We will get back home and try to get some rest and get ready for the Cardinals.”

RB LaMont Jordan
(on his performance against his former team)
"I prayed to the Lord this morning to please keep me humble, and not say too many negative things about Oakland."

(on his thoughts about what is happening in Oakland)
"I'm going to say something you all probably haven't heard me say -- 'no comment.'"

Quarterback Matt Cassel spoke briefly to reporters after the game (he did not take questions), and had the following to say:

"I just want to thank all my family and friends for all their support this week. It's been a tough week for me, obviously, and my family. The coaches, the players, Mr. Kraft, everybody has done such a great job of supporting me through this tough time and my family, as well. I just want to thank everybody for their messages and their condolences and we appreciate it as a family and I appreciate it as a person. That's really all I want to say about that, so thank you very much."

A look at who’s up and who’s down from the Patriots' 49-26 win over the Raiders:

Up

A collection of postgame notes following New England's 49-26 triumph over the Oakland Raiders, courtesy of the Patriots' media relations staff:

WELKER CATCHES 100th PASS OF THE SEASON, BECOMES 8TH PLAYER IN NFL HISTORY WITH BACK-TO-BACK 100-CATCH SEASONS

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.

MOSS’S 10 TD CATCHES TIED FOR 3RD IN PATRIOTS SINGLE-SEASON HISTORY

Randy Moss scored two touchdowns against Oakland, giving the Patriots a 14-0 lead with a 20-yard touchdown reception from Matt Cassel in the first quarter and scored on a 9-yard catch in the third quarter, extending New England’s lead to 42-14. The touchdowns raised Moss’s 2008 total to 10 touchdown receptions and brought his career total to 134 touchdown catches. Moss’s 10 touchdown catches tie the third-highest single-season total in Patriots history, trailing only his NFL-record 23 scoring catches last season and Stanley Morgan’s 12 touchdown catches in 1979. Besides Moss, two other Patriots have totaled 10 touchdown catches in a season - Morgan in 1986 and Jim Colclough in 1962. Moss’s 134 career touchdown catches rank third in NFL history behind Jerry Rice (197) and Terrell Owens (138). Since joining the Patriots prior to the 2007 season, Moss has now caught a league-high 33 touchdown passes. Moss entered today’s game as the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions per touchdown, averaging a touchdown catch for every 6.33 receptions. Entering today’s action, Moss’s eight touchdown receptions this season were tied for the AFC lead.

On an emotional day for quarterback Matt Cassel, he shared an embrace with coach Bill Belichick after the final gun sounded, and tucked the game ball in his left arm before leaving the field.

The Patriots have defeated the Raiders, 49-26, today at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

We'll have more after post-game interviews.

Running Darren McFadden's 11-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter made it 49-26 Patriots. The ensuing two-point conversion failed.

Running back LaMont Jordan raced 49 yards for a touchdown, upping the Patriots' lead to 49-20 with 6:09 remaining in the game.

The touchdown came out of a power package with three tight ends (Russ Hochstein as the third tight end), and a lead fullback.

The drive was three plays for 57 yards, and lasted 1:21.

Rookie inside linebacker Gary Guyton, who left the game in the second quarter, has an ankle injury.

His return is questionable.

Junior Seau has been playing in his place.

PATRIOTS TIE TEAM RECORD FOR MOST POINTS IN FIRST QUARTER
The Patriots scored 21 points in the first quarter today, tying the team record for most points in the quarter. New England also scored 21 points in the first quarter Oct. 29, 1978 against the New York Jets (a 55-21 win) and also scored 21 points in the first quarter Dec. 15, 1974 at Miami (a 34-27 loss). New England had 35 points at halftime, a touchdown short of the team-record 42 first-half points scored Oct. 21, 2007 at Miami.

WELKER CATCHES 100th PASS OF THE SEASON, BECOMES EIGHTH PLAYER IN NFL HISTORY WITH BACK-TO-BACK 100-CATCH SEASONS
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.

SAMMY MORRIS SETS NEW CAREER HIGH WITH SEVENTH TOUCHDOWN OF 2008
Sammy Morris gave the Patriots a 21-0 first-quarter lead on a 29-yard touchdown run. The touchdown was Morris’s 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. Morris’s seven overall touchdowns this season rank second on the team to Randy Moss, and his seven rushing touchdowns are the most by a Patriot since Corey Dillon had 13 rushing touchdowns in 2006.

HOBBS RECORDS THIRD CAREER KICKOFF RETURN FOR TOUCHDOWN; TYING PATRIOTS FRANCHISE RECORD
Ellis Hobbs returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to give the Patriots a 35-14 lead with 12:46 left in the first half. The kickoff return for a touchdown was the third of Hobbs’s 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. Hobbs has also returned kickoffs for touchdowns on Dec. 17, 2006 against Houston (93 yards) and on Sept. 9, 2007 against the New York Jets (an NFL-record 108 yards). Entering today’s game, Hobbs’s career average of 27.4 yards per kickoff return was the best in Patriots history and his 1,140 kickoff return yards this season (entering today’s action) was the highest single-season total in team history.

FAULK SCORES FIFTH TOUCHDOWN OF THE SEASON
Kevin Faulk scored a touchdown on a 7-yard reception from Matt Cassel in the first quarter to give the Patriots a 7-0 lead. The touchdown was Faulk’s fifth 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).

CASSEL RECORDS FOURTH GAME OF THE SEASON WITH THREE OR MORE TOUCHDOWN PASSES
Matt Cassel threw three touchdown passes in the first half, tying his single-game career high for touchdown passes. Cassel also threw for three scores on three other occasions this season – against Denver on Oct. 20, against the New York Jets on Nov. 13 and at Miami on Nov. 23.

RANDY MOSS HAULS IN 20-YARD TOUCHDOWN PASS
Randy Moss gave the Patriots a 14-0 lead with a 20-yard touchdown reception from Matt Cassel in the first quarter. The touchdown was Moss’s ninth scoring reception of the season and was the 133rd touchdown reception of his career. His 133 career touchdown catches rank third in NFL history behind Jerry Rice (197) and Terrell Owens (138). Since joining the Patriots prior to the 2007 season, Moss has now caught a league-high 32 touchdown passes. Moss entered today’s game as the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions per touchdown, averaging a touchdown catch for every 6.33 receptions. Entering today’s action, Moss’s eight touchdown receptions this season were tied for the AFC lead.

WILHITE RECORDS FIRST CAREER INTERCEPTION
Rookie cornerback Jonathan Wilhite recorded his first career interception when he picked off a JaMarcus Russell pass inside the Patriots’ 5-yard line in the second quarter. Wilhite, who was selected by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft, is making his second career start today. His first career start was last week at Seattle.

VRABEL STRIP-SACK
Mike Vrabel strip-sacked JaMarcus Russell in the first quarter, forcing him to fumble on third down on the Raiders’ second possession of the game. Vrabel’s sack was his fourth of the season, and his forced fumble was his second of the year. Vrabel now has a total of 48 sacks since joining the Patriots in 2001, a total that ranks seventh in team history. Following Vrabel’s sack today, the Raiders recovered the ball at their own 9-yard line and the Patriots took possession at Oakland’s 35-yard line following a Raiders punt, setting up a three-play, 35-yard touchdown drive that ended in a 20-yard touchdown reception by Randy Moss and a 14-0 Patriots lead.

WASHINGTON TACKLE SETS THE TONE
On the game’s opening kickoff, Kelley Washington tackled Oakland punt returner Justin Miller at the Raiders’ 7-yard line, starting the Raiders’ first possession deep in their own territory. After a three-and-out by the Patriots defense, Kevin Faulk returned an Oakland punt to the Oakland 40-yard line, allowing the Patriots’ offense to begin their first possession in Raiders territory and set up a 9-play, 40-yard drive that ended in a 7-yard touchdown pass from Matt Cassel to Kevin Faulk and a 7-0 Patriots lead.

Receiver Ronald Curry caught a 10-yard pass from quarterback JaMarcus Russell with 5:01 remaining in the third quarter, helping the Raiders close the gap to 42-20. The ensuing extra point was blocked by Vince Wilfork.

Cornerback Ellis Hobbs was in coverage.

Ty Warren, who appeared as if he might be shutting it down, has entered the game. Le Kevin Smith had been playing left end in his place.

It looks as if DE Ty Warren won't play in the second half. He is wearing his game jersey on the sideline, but sweatpants instead of game pants.

Warren did not appear to re-injure himself, so this looks like a case of being smart with an injury that has nagged him in recent weeks.

Receiver Randy Moss caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Cassel, giving the Patriots a 42-14 lead over the Raiders with 11:36 remaining in the third quarter.

The drive was seven plays, covering 68 yards.

The stadium has emptied considerably from the first half.

Analysis from the first half, with the Patriots leading the Raiders 35-14:

Receiver Kelley Washington set the tone for the day on the first play, dropping Raiders kickoff returner Justin Miller at the 7-yard line on the opening kickoff. That helped the Patriots, who got a quick defensive stop, earn early field position to open a 7-0 lead.

From there, the Patriots pretty much kept their foot on the accelerator against a Raiders team that looks overmatched.

The Patriots had a few breakdowns (Johnnie Lee Higgins’s 59-yard touchdown, Justin Miller’s 91-yard kickoff return, Benjamin Watson’s tipped-ball interception, failing to get off a field goal at the end of the first half), but they gave themselves a large margin for error so they didn't hurt much.

Strategy-wise on offense, the Patriots are basically staying in their three-receiver package as they like the matchup against the Raiders’ nickel package (five defensive backs). It is notable that they haven’t thrown away from the Raiders’ top player, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha , instead challenging him at times. The Patriots have won those battles, with Asomugha picking up a few penalties.

Defensively, the Patriots are keeping it simple, staying in their base 3-4 early and then going to a 3-3-5 nickel package. The Raiders’ are inept offensively. While the Patriots have made the plays when called upon, the Raiders have also helped the cause (e.g. JaMarcus Russell’s late second-quarter interception, which was badly underthrown).

Special teams have added fireworks to the game, with the back-to-back kickoff returns for touchdowns. Raiders punter Shane Lechler also set up a Patriots touchdown with a shanked 18-yard punt in the first quarter.

The Patriots get the ball to start the second half.

Announcement from the press box:

Left tackle Matt Light has a shoulder injury. His return is questionable.

Rookie inside linebacker Gary Guyton took himself out after getting injured late in the second quarter. Guyton, who is being looked at by the team's medical/training staff, has been replaced by Junior Seau.

Safety Lewis Sanders has taken the field with the defense, as he did not miss a play after being shaken up on the final play of the Raiders' previous drive.

Left tackle Matt Light was shaken up on a LaMont Jordan run with 9:46 left in the second quarter. Members of the team's medical staff came out Light walked off the field under his own power, but has been replaced by Mark LeVoir.

Safety Lewis Sanders, who is starting in place of James Sanders today, is being looked at by members of the Patriots' medical/training staff on the sideline. He was shaken up on the Raiders' failed third-down attempt early in the second quarter.

Outside linebacker Mike Vrabel has returned to the game. He ended up missing a total of two plays.

Kickoff returner Ellis Hobbs raced 95 yards for a touchdown, helping the Patriots open up a 35-14 lead over the Raiders.

Hobbs' return came after the Raiders' Justin Miller scored on a 91-yard kickoff return.

Raiders kickoff return man Justin Miller raced 91 yards for a touchdown, helping the Raiders close the gap to 28-14 against the Patriots. The score, which followed Wes Welker's TD reception for the Patriots, came with 12:59 left in the second quarter.

Receiver Wes Welker caught a 13-yard pass from quarterback Matt Cassel with 13:12 remaining in the second quarter -- his 100th catch of the season -- to give the Patriots a 28-7 lead over the Raiders.

The drive was seven plays, covering 77 yards, and lasted 3:22.

The touchdown came out of a different positional grouping, as the Patriots had two receivers, one tight end, and two running backs (Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris) on the field at the same time.

The Patriots lead the Raiders, 21-7, after the first quarter of action.

Receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins caught a 56-yard pass from quarterback JaMarcus Russell, helping the Raiders close to 21-7 with 1:34 remaining in the first quarter.

The scoring drive was four plays, covering 66 yards, and lasted 2:09.

Outside linebacker Mike Vrabel was shaken up on a Justin Fargas run in the first quarter. Vrabel took himself off the field, and he was replaced by Vince Redd.

It appears as if Jerod Mayo has taken over leading the huddle. Vrabel usually leads the huddle and has the communication device in his helmet.

Running back Sammy Morris raced 29 yards for a touchdown with 3:43 remaining in the first quarter, upping the Patriots' advantage to 21-0.

The drive lasted nine plays, covered 83 yards and lasted 3:08.

The Patriots are using a 3-3-5 nickel package early in the game.

The personnel looks like this:

Receiver Randy Moss caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Cassel with 7:57 remaining in the first quarter, giving the Patriots a 14-0 lead.

After the touchdown, Moss turned his back to the crowd, threw the ball behind him, and pointed to the back of his jersey in the direction of his name.

The drive was three plays, covering 35 yards, and lasted just 1:01. It was set up by a short Shane Lechler punt after the Patriots' defense held the Raiders on a three-and-out deep in their territory.

Kevin Faulk caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Matt Cassel with 10:23 remaining in the first quarter, giving the Patriots a 7-0 lead.

The drive was 9 plays and covered 40 yards. It lasted 2:59.

The Patriots ended up with good field position after WR Kelley Washington made a nice tackle on the game's opening kickoff, pinning the Raiders in deep.

The Patriots are mixing in a no-huddle attack as they look to establish a tempo on their first drive and make it difficult for the Raiders to substitute.

That is what led to Bill Belichick's current challenge that the Raiders had 12 men on the field on a Kevin Faulk run. The challenge was denied.

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 Patriots lost the opening coin toss. The Raiders elected to receive.

For the second game in a row, defensive coordinator Dean Pees is calling this game from the sideline. Pees had been in the press box for two straight games prior to last week's Seahawks game.

Analysis from the Patriots’ inactive players and what it could mean for others on the roster:

Kicker Stephen Gostkowski has concluded his pre-game warmup and he had the distance necessary on his longest attempts, from 52 and 53 yards.

The long-range kicks were a bit erratic, however, so it will be interesting to see if that might impact the team's decision-making.

Patriots WR Randy Moss just came onto the field to a chorus of boos. Moss took some time to meet up with former Raiders teammates, specifically QB Andrew Walter and K Sebastian Janikowski.

Meanwhile, QB Matt Cassel is taking his regular warmups.

A look at the inactive players for the Raiders today:

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, in attendance today after accepting an invitation from the Raiders, is on the field and signing autographs for fans. He is also spending time talking with officials from both teams, including Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

Inactive players for the Patriots today:

While no NFL team has utilized the "Wildcat" package more than the Dolphins, the Raiders have used it enough that the Patriots must be aware of it today.

Oakland has run the "Wildcat" about 12 times this season, most often pairing running backs Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden as the primary ball-handlers. They are two of the Raiders' most dangerous offensive weapons.

Fargas leads the Raiders with 679 yards on 175 carries, while McFadden has totaled 405 yards on 88 rushes.

McFadden has background with the Wildcat from his days at Arkansas, where it was a part of the Razorbacks' offensive package.

Before the Patriots traveled to the West Coast last week, there was a reminder on the white board in the team's locker room for players to remember longer studs for their cleats because they would probably need them in Oakland.

The Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum is a natural grass field.

The field looks to be in good shape, but on a rainy day (it is currently raining), it will be interesting to note how much footing is a factor for the players today.

OAKLAND -- Welcome to the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, where the Patriots visit the Raiders today (4:15 p.m. EST). This used to be called the McAfee Coliseum.

It is a cloudy day here in the Oakland-Alameda area. The current temperature is 49 degrees and there is about a 70 percent chance of showers for the game, according to reports. Winds aren't particularly strong at this time, although the orange flags atop the goal posts are fluttering, so that will be something to watch in the field-position game.

John Parry has been assigned to referee today's game. Parry previously worked the Patriots-Jets game in Week 2, a contest in which New England was flagged for two accepted penalties, the Jets six. The Patriots' 44 accepted penalties are a league low, while the Raiders' 96 accepted penalties are an NFL-high.

Both teams might consider whether they want to challenge any of Parry's calls today. According to Mike Sando of ESPN.com, Parry has had just one call overturned this season, which is an NFL low.

Commissioner Roger Goodell is expected to be in attendance today. He accepted an invitation from the Raiders to attend the game.

More to come throughout the day.

With the Patriots placing outside linebacker Pierre Woods (jaw) on season-ending injured reserve, and promoting offensive lineman Dan Connolly from the practice squad, here is a look at what the moves could mean at each position:

The Patriots placed outside linebacker Pierre Woods on season-ending injured reserve today. Woods has been sidelined with a jaw injury.

The team promoted offensive lineman Dan Connolly to the active roster.

Given that veteran linebackers Junior Seau and Rosevelt Colvin returned to the Patriots just last week, what will they earn this regular season?

Seau signed for $1.0625 million, but since he'll receive a prorated portion of those earnings, he'll receive $265,625.

Colvin signed for the veteran minimum $730,000, and his protated portion for four regular-season games is $182,500.

Both players also get an extra credited NFL season and its accompanying retirement benefits (in this case, 3 games on the roster in a season qualifies).

Former NFL quarterback Rich Gannon, who was selected by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 1987 draft but never played for the team after requesting a trade when he learned of plans to move him from the quarterback position, is now an analyst for CBS.

He’ll call Sunday’s game between the Patriots and Raiders, and he spent a few minutes this week talking about how he got into broadcasting after his playing days.

How did you get started in broadcasting?
“I didn’t initially think about getting into it. As a player, I think I had a good relationship with the media, I made myself available, I answered all the questions, but I never had a radio show or TV show. I was a guy that once I was away from it, I used that time to be with my wife and daughters rather than running out to try to make a few bucks doing a TV or radio show. When I got done playing, CBS called my agent and said ‘we want to bring him in to New York for an audition, is there interest?’ I thought I’d give it a try. I went and did it, and really enjoyed it. It was very challenging. It was also a way for me to stay in the game that I’m so passionate about. There was some opportunity for me to get into management and coaching, but I didn’t want to put my family though that in terms of the time commitment. This way, I can be working out of my home, I can be around my kids a little more. You watch tape, travel Thursday to go do the games, and still get home Sunday night. That was the thinking behind it and I absolutely love doing it. Every game is different. There are different challenges. It’s a chance to get around and see all 32 teams, you sit down with coaches, players, and general managers and get the inside scoop. It’s pretty neat.”

Toughest part of the job?
“Probably the travel. It’s like a player with away games. I do preseason games too, with the Packers, so I’m on the road 21 straight weekends. It gets to be a lot, being away from home, and the airports. Other than that, I absolutely love it. I love doing the work, I love being at practice, I love the games. I love everything about it. I tell people it’s a pretty good gig if you can get it.”

When did you start?
“This is my fourth season doing it. My first year really helped me because I got to work with four different play-by-play guys. I worked with Dick Enberg, Don Criqui ... I was kind of thrown out there and it was good because everybody has a little different style to them, a different approach.”

You played in Minnesota, Washington, Kansas City and Oakland, so where did you ultimately settle with your family?
“I’m in Minnesota. My wife is from Minnesota. Her father was Bill Brown, he played in a bunch of Pro Bowls with the Vikings, he was a big fullback all those years. Those Minnesota girls, it’s hard to get them away from Minnesota [laughs], so we’ve made our home here. From a work perspective, it’s pretty good being in the Midwest because I can get everywhere pretty much non-stop. It’s a good spot to be.”

A few old-school football questions. You probably get a lot of questions about the “Snow Bowl” game…
“I was working a Jets game and got to talk to Eric Mangini about some plays in the game that really defined that game. We had a chance to put that thing away at the end, offensively. If we converted a first down, the game was over. We talked about a couple of those plays, so it was interesting to talk about that. That game put that team in a different stratosphere. Tom Brady was a guy who was about to become a Super Bowl hero. That really propelled them. If you really want to break it down, that game was one defining moment in both organizations' history. That team took off and won Super Bowls and Jon Gruden went back to his office and packed up. Jon Gruden, if he would have stayed in Oakland, there is no question in my mind that we would have won a Super Bowl, and maybe a couple. He knew how to get it done.”

Do games like the “Snow Bowl” stick with you after all this time?
“Oh yeah. When I was in Kansas City, we went 13-3 twice and had a really good defense. But we lost in the first round of the playoffs at home. I got to play in one of the games, with four minutes to go. Those games stick in your craw. AFC championship game in 2000, when we went 12-4 and had home-field advantage in the playoffs and I separated my shoulder in the second quarter and didn’t get to finish the game against Baltimore; Baltimore ended up going to the Super Bowl. The 2001 season, we go into New England, we felt like should have and could have won that game. Our defense couldn’t get off the field, we couldn’t stop them in overtime, and offensively there were two series at the end of the game where it wasn’t even close. We didn’t block the right guy, or something. The only thing I can hang my hat on is that I played 17 years, went to four Pro Bowls, and did everything I could to help every team I played on be better. I think I helped change the culture and direction of the organization in Oakland when I was there.”

The Patriots released their Friday participation report and the notable news is that James Sanders is doubtful and Tedy Bruschi is out. Rookie Gary Guyton is Bruschi's regular backup. Bruschi being out could also mean more time for Junior Seau.

The report:

Out
OLB Pierre Woods (jaw)
LB Tedy Bruschi (knee)

Doubtful
S James Sanders (abdomen)

Questionable
CB Ellis Hobbs (shoulder)
OLB Vince Redd (ankle)
DE Ty Warren (groin)
WR Kelley Washington (thigh)

Probable
CB Deltha O'Neal (shin)
NT Vince Wilfork (shoulder)

Bruschi, Sanders, and Woods did not participate in practice. Hobbs, O'Neal, Redd, Warren, Washington, and Wilfork were limited.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Tight end Benjamin Watson's shout-out to his expectant wife and the couple's yet-to-be born bundle of joy has cost him a bundle of cash.

The NFL has fined Watson, who celebrated a touchdown against the Seahawks last week by sticking the ball under his jersey and patting it to imitate being pregnant, $10,000 for his gestation celebration.

Watson was flagged for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty following the pigskin faux pregnancy act, which came after he caught a 2-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. The reason for the flag was using the football as a prop and that was the same reason that AFC information manager Corry Rush gave for the league fining Watson.

Watson and his wife, Kirsten, are expecting their first child in February, and Watson said pantomiming pregnancy was intended as a salute to his wife and unborn child.

"I have a baby due February 1. It was a little shout-out to my wife back home in New England," said Watson, after the Seattle game. "It wasn't worth getting a penalty. I didn't know that I would get a flag. ...I wasn't trying to taunt anybody; that was just to her. It will be a little baby girl."

At the least, Watson will have an entertaining story to tell his daughter some day.

SAN JOSE, Calif., -- Defensive end Ty Warren met with reporters before practice today, and colleague Christopher L. Gasper reports that Warren is inching closer to suiting up for action.

"Very close. I am very close," Warren said, when asked by reporters if he would play Sunday against the Raiders. "That's a good thing."

Warren, the team's starting left end, has missed three of the last four games with a groin injury.

"As I mentioned last week, I really turned the corner as far as my health" Warren said. "The injury is the injury. That's going to get taken care of at the end of the season."

Warren indicated that the health problems have challenged him in more ways than one.

"It's very difficult. It can be frustrating at times," he said. "I really try to practice patience, and I've had to do that. Coach Bill, the doctors and myself came up with a legitimate strategy as far as managing this injury and trying to get through the season with it."

SAN JOSE, Calif., -- The Patriots are holding their afternoon practice at San Jose State, and for the third straight day, safety James Sanders (ribs) was not present for the media-access portion of the session, colleague Christopher L. Gasper reports.

Sanders was listed on the Patriots' participation report as having not practiced on Wednesday or Thursday.

A fourth-year player out of Fresno State, Sanders has started all 13 games this season and his 58 tackles (credited by coaches) are tied for fifth on the club. He came out of last Sunday's 24-21 win over the Seahawks late in the second quarter and did not return. Later, Sanders said he was not injured in the game, but that it was something that had been nagging him.

Veteran Lewis Sanders replaced him at the time, and he'd be a likely replacement on Sunday if needed. Antwain Spann is another possibility.

The full list of players not spotted at the media-access portion of practice today:

Steve Corkran, writing in the Oakland Tribune, revisits the two-year tenure of receiver Randy Moss with the Raiders.

Corkran recalled the time that the Raiders traded for Moss and No. 18 jerseys "flew off the shelves."

Yet Moss's time in Oakland resulted in seasons of 60 and 42 receptions, the lowest and third-lowest single-season production of his career. Certainly part of that was poor quarterback play, and injuries also were a factor. Moss's frustration was evident at times.

Naturally, Moss's return to Oakland for the first time is one of the top storylines of Sunday's game.

"Two of his down years in his career were here," Raiders receiver Ronald Curry said in the Oakland Tribune piece. "It didn't make his career. It might have made him a little hungrier. That may be one of the reasons why he is doing what he's doing now."

The Patriots (8-5) visit the Raiders (3-10) at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Sunday, and here are five items of note on the Raiders:

Fan voting for the Pro Bowl has concluded and here are the Patriots players who ended up being ranked in the top five at their respective positions (fan voting accounts for one-third of the process; coaches and players are the final two-thirds):

The Patriots and Raiders released their Thursday participation reports.

The lone changes for the Patriots were WR Randy Moss, RB Kevin Faulk and QB Matt Cassel -- who either missed or were limited in Wednesday's practice for non-injury reeasons -- participating fully today.

The Raiders had no changes.

PATRIOTS

Did Not Participate in Practice
LB Tedy Bruschi (left knee)
S James Sanders (abdomen)
OLB Pierre Woods (jaw)

Limited Participation in Practice
CB Ellis Hobbs (shoulder)
OLB Vince Redd (ankle)
OLB Mike Vrabel (neck)
DE Ty Warren (groin)
WR Kelley Washington (thigh)
NT Vince Wilfork (shoulder)

RAIDERS

Did Not Participate in Practice
LB Ricky Brown (groin)

Limited Participation in Practice
C Jake Grove (calf)
QB JaMarcus Russell (ankle)

SAN JOSE, Calif. --Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel was back on the field today after spending a day away from the team following his father's death Monday.

Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork (shoulder) and defensive end Ty Warren (groin) both were present during the media access portion of practice for the second straight day at San Jose State, where the Patriots are preparing for Sunday's game at Oakland.

Wilfork said he will be ready to face the Raiders.

"Oh, yeah, no question I'm ready for Sunday," Wilfork said. "It felt good [to practice]. I don't expect anything other than a pretty healthy game for me. I feel better. A lot better."

Wilfork left Sunday's victory at Seattle with the shoulder injury, while Warren was inactive for the game. Wilfork said it is getting to be the time of year when the physical grind begins to catch up to players.

"It's down the road where you have to start getting a lot of treatment because your body starts to break down around this time," Wilfork said. "I'm doing everything I can. I'm happy to be to back on the field. Hopefully, it will show."

Three players were not spotted during the media access portion:

S James Sanders (ribs)
LB Pierre Woods (jaw)
LB Tedy Bruschi (left knee)

The Patriots were in shells (light shoulder pads) and shorts or sweatpants. Media members were present for stretching and the start of positional drills.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Quarterback Matt Cassel, who returned home yesterday after his father, Greg Cassel, passed away Monday night, is back with the Patriots this afternoon and indications are that he will play Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.

Cassel practiced this afternoon, but was not available to speak to the media. His teammates were happy to have him back and said they sympathized with his situation.

"Maybe being around the guys might ease [things] a bit," said fullback Heath Evans. "I don't know that for a fact. I know I just kind of wanted to wrap my arms around him this morning and tell him I loved him. At this time, that's about the only thing you know to do. Hopefully, we can be of some encouragement to him and see how that helps him out."

Mike Vrabel offered similar sentiments.

"Well, I think it will be good for Matt [to be around the team]," Vrabel said. "I don't think anybody can relate to losing a parent, especially a father, but I think what we do is play football. We've got a support staff in there, and hopefully he can lean on his teammates."

Greg Cassel's funeral is Monday.

Foxsports.com produces a slideshow with its All-Underpaid NFL team, and three Patriots are represented.

On the offensive side, quarterback Matt Cassel and left guard Logan Mankins are picked as the most underpaid players at their position.

On the defensive side, cornerback Ellis Hobbs gets the nod.

No Patriots showed up on the All-Overpaid teams for offense and defense.

The Patriots’ running game probably wouldn’t be described as smash-mouth by many. Efficient might sum it up best.

That efficiency is reflected in the following statistic:

The Patriots' running game has produced just 16 negative rushing plays all season (excluding kneeldowns), which is the lowest total – and lowest percentage (16 of 361, 4.6 percent) of negative runs -- in the NFL. Further impressive is that eight of the 16 rushes for negative yardage came in the first two games of the season.

The Browns (19, 6.2 percent), Chargers (19, 6.7 percent) and Redskins (21, 6.1 percent) round out the top four teams this season with the fewest negative runs.

A look at Patriots runners and their negative plays, and their percentage of negative runs:

Sammy Morris (8 in 103 rushing attempts, 7.7 percent)
-1, Chiefs
-4, Chiefs
-3, Jets
-2, Jets
-2, Jets
-1, Dolphins
-1, 49ers
-1, Broncos

Laurence Maroney (3 in 28 rushing attempts, 10.7 percent)
-3, Chiefs
-1, Jets
-1, Jets

BenJarvus Green-Ellis (2 in 74 attempts, 2.7 percent)
-2, Broncos
-3, Bills

Kevin Faulk (1 in 76 attempts, 1.3 percent)
-1, Jets

Heath Evans (1 in 10 attempts, 10 percent)
-2, Jets

Randy Moss (1 in 2 attempts, 50 percent)
-2, Bills

LaMont Jordan (0 in 28 attempts, 0 percent)

ANALYSIS

In reading up on the Raiders and coming across this piece by Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune, it led to some re-tracing of steps.

Why was the name Mario Henderson, a second-year player who will start at left tackle for the Raiders on Sunday against the Patriots, ringing a bell?

After a few google searches, it all came together.

While on the clock during the 2007 draft, the Patriots traded a third-round draft choice to the Raiders (91st overall), which was used to select Henderson. In return, the Patriots received a 2008 third-round draft choice (69th overall) and a 2007 seventh-round pick (LB Oscar Lua, who is no longer in the NFL).

Then this year, while on the clock, the Patriots traded that 2008 third-round draft choice to the Chargers (RB Jacob Hester) for a 2009 second-round draft choice (currently estimated to be around 45th).

The trade is something to keep in mind while watching Henderson (2 career starts) on Sunday. It also shows how the Patriots' working of the draft helped turn a late third-round draft choice in 2007 into a mid-second-round pick two years later.

The key now, of course, is for the Patriots to cash in with that pick.

A weekly look at where the Patriots rank among NFL teams in key statistical categories:

Points scored
23.1 per game
NFL rank: 18th
Last week:18th

Points allowed
21.2 per game
NFL rank: tied-14th
Last week: 12th

Turnover differential
Minus-2 (18 take-aways, 20 give-aways)
NFL rank: tied-19th
Last week: tied-21st

Third-down offense
42.6 percent, 78 of 183
NFL rank: 10th
Last week: 13th

Third-down defense
45.7 percent, 74 of 162
NFL rank: 30th
Last week: 29th

Red-zone offense (based on TD percentage)
25 of 50, 50 percent
NFL rank: 22nd
Last week: 21st

Red-zone defense (based on TD percentage)
28 of 42, 66.7 percent
NFL rank: 31st
Last week: 30th

It was January of 1997, Bill Belichick was near the end of his one season as a Patriots assistant coach, and the Raiders were looking for a new head coach. Owner Al Davis was working off a short list, and Belichick was on it.

Eleven years later, Belichick was asked today to reflect on his thoughts from that time.

"It was a pretty interesting interview to be talking X’s and O’s with an owner," Belichick said before the Patriots' practice at San Jose State, where the team is preparing to face the Raiders on Sunday.

"Al’s had six decades in the NFL, so he has as much history and knowledge about the game, what he wants, and what’s going on in the game during that time as anybody. We talked a lot about strategic football, X’s and O’s, as well as overall organizational stuff, and personnel and philosophy."

Belichick seemed to enjoy the experience.

"It was great to sit down and talk with him," he said. "We shared some views and conversations on different aspects of technical football. It wasn’t a big social interview. It was much more detailed and specific to football."

Yet the Raiders never sized Belichick up for a silver and black hoodie.

Davis chose Joe Bugel to be the team's head coach.

The Patriots and Raiders released their participation reports, and the Patriots is a lengthy one.

PATRIOTS

Did Not Participate in Practice
LB Tedy Bruschi (left knee)
QB Matt Cassel (not injury related)
S James Sanders (abdomen)
OLB Pierre Woods (jaw)

Limited Participation in Practice
RB Kevin Faulk (not injury related)
CB Ellis Hobbs (shoulder)
WR Randy Moss (not injury related)
OLB Vince Redd (ankle)
OLB Mike Vrabel (neck)
DE Ty Warren (groin)
WR Kelley Washington (thigh)
NT Vince Wilfork (shoulder)

RAIDERS

Did Not Participate in Practice
LB Ricky Brown (groin)

Limited Participation in Practice
C Jake Grove (calf)
QB JaMarcus Russell (ankle)

SAN JOSE -- The Boston Globe's Christopher L. Gasper reports that a consistent theme was voiced among Patriots players today at San Jose State -- they want Matt Cassel to know he's in their thoughts.

"Matt knows his teammates always have his back," defensive lineman Richard Seymour said. "It's a tough situation and we wish him and his family the best. It's a personal issue for him. It's a part of life. That's one thing that is going to happen to all of us someday. It's a tough situation. I don't think you're ever pretty prepared for it. We support him and his family in all that they go through for him."

Seymour said he saw Cassel at breakfast this morning, before Cassel left the team to join his family.

Meanwhile, running back Sammy Morris said: "Matt is a more than just a teammate to me. His loss is our loss."

And linebacker Junior Seau, who joined the team Friday, spoke on behalf of many when he said: "Our condolences go out to Matt and his family. Obviously, it's a tragic time, a family crisis, which he's going to go through. When he comes back we'll have open arms for him."

SAN JOSE -- Here's some potentially encouraging news for the New England defense:

Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork and defensive end Ty Warren were both present during the media access portion of practice this afternoon at San Jose State, where the Patriots are preparing for Sunday's matchup at Oakland.

Wilfork left Sunday's victory over Seattle with a shoulder injury, while Warren was inactive against the Seahawks because of a groin injury.

Also returning to practice were linebacker Vince Redd (ankle) and wide receiver Kelley Washington (thigh).

Quarterback Matt Cassel, whose father, Greg, passed away Monday, was not at practice. Three other players were not spotted during the media access portion:

S James Sanders (ribs)
LB Pierre Woods (jaw)
LB Tedy Bruschi (left knee)

The Patriots were in shells (light shoulder pads) and shorts or sweatpants. Media members were present for stretching and the start of positional drills.

Greg Cassel, the father of Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel, died Monday night. He was 57.

"Our thoughts are with him and his family during this time," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said during his afternoon press conference at San Jose State, where the team began preparations today for Sunday's game at Oakland.

Belichick confirmed the quarterback has left the team to return home. Cassel is a native of Northridge, Calif., a suburb of Los Angeles.

"Right now we're just taking it day to day," said Belichick, who said he was not sure when Cassel would return. "He's going to take care of what he has to do."

Belichick, whose father, Steve, passed away during the 2005 season, sympathized with Cassel's situation.

"It's bigger than football," Belichick said. "I've been through that during the season as well, a personal situation you just have to deal with, and as I said, our thoughts and prayers are with him."

Belichick did not give any indication whether he expected Cassel to play Sunday.

"From a football standpoint, we'll just handle [preparations] with the other guys, just like we normally would do in any other situation," Belichick said.

In a profile of Matt Cassel by the Globe's Bob Hohler in September, Greg Cassel was described as "longtime Hollywood script writer who never hit it big but kept trying, even after he launched a second career as a horse trainer."

Greg and Barbara Cassel divorced in 1996, and Matt and his three siblings were raised by his mother, though, according to Hohler's article, Greg Cassel remained influential in his kids' lives and was "instrumental in coaching and raising the children before the divorce."

A league source told the Globe that Greg Cassel had been ill for some time.

Earlier today, the Patriots' success in sustaining drives was detailed. It was noted that the Patriots lead the NFL in 10-play-plus drives, and 10-play-plus scoring drives.

A natural follow-up was to ask: How does the Patriots' defense rank in those areas?

The answers:

The Patriots have been flagged for 44 accepted penalties this season, the fewest of any NFL team in 2008. Accounting for offsetting and declined penalties, the Patriots have been flagged a total of 55 times.

The franchise record for fewest penalties in a season is 50, set in 1973 when the Patriots played a 14-game season.

With three games remaining, the Patriots are on pace to break the NFL record for fewest accepted penalties in a 16-game season, which was set by the Seahawks (59) in 2007. The NFL has played a 16-game season since 1978.

A look at the Patriots' players with the most penalties this season (including declined and offsetting penalties), and the most frequent penalties called against the Patriots this season:

Players:

In rallying from a 21-13 second-half deficit to defeat the Seahawks on Sunday, the Patriots strung together scoring drives of 10 and 14 plays in the clutch.

The double-digit drives -- which produced a 27-yard Stephen Gostkowski fourth-quarter field goal and a 1-yard Sammy Morris fourth-quarter touchdown run -- vaulted the Patriots into the NFL lead when it comes to long drives.

New England leads the league with 32 drives of 10 plays or longer this season, and also leads the NFL with 26 scoring drives of 10 plays or longer. In Sunday's win, the offense also produced a 12-play scoring drive in the third quarter, which culminated in a 42-yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal.

A look at the league leaders in 10-play-plus drives, and 10-play-plus scoring drives:

Patriots coach Bill Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels held conference calls with media members this afternoon (3 p.m.). Here were a few nuggets of note:

The Patriots' home finale -- Dec. 21 against the Cardinals -- will remain a 1 p.m. kickoff, the league announced today.

The game was not chosen to move to prime-time as part of the flex scheduling.

Instead, the the Giants-Panthers contest will now be played at 8:15 p.m., with the Chargers-Buccaneers game moving out of that slot.

PATRIOTS HALL OF FAME NOTE: The Hall at Patriot Place will be closed to the public all day on Saturday, Dec. 13. The Hall will re-open to the public Sunday morning at 10 and resume its normal hours of operation.

Every Tuesday, questions from Patriots fans are answered as part of a weekly mailbag on Boston.com. This week's mailbag has been posted and includes some of the following topics:

Sunday's game against the Raiders marks the third straight week that the Patriots will face a team that has 10 days to prepare for the matchup because they played a Thursday night game the week before.

Is this an unfair disadvantage created by the NFL's schedule-maker?

Teams playing on Thursday night this season are 10-4 the following week, so the extra rest and preparation time does seem to help.

Yet specific to the Patriots, one aspect to keep in mind is that the club requested to play its West Coast games back-to-back if possible. The NFL granted that request, pairing up their road games against the 49ers/Chargers in October and the Seahawks/Raiders in December. In doing so, the Patriots (2-1 on the West Coast) ended up with the current scheduling quirk of facing three teams in a row coming off Thursday night games.

Contrast that to the Jets, whose four West Coast games were scheduled for Sept. 22 (at San Diego), Oct. 19 (at Oakland), Dec. 7 (at San Francisco) and Dec. 21 (at Seattle), requiring them to make four back-and-forth cross-country trips (unlike the Patriots, who stayed on the West Coast both times). The Jets are 0-3 on their trips to the West Coast at this point, and that upcoming game in Seattle is looming large for their playoff hopes.

So, in the end, the Patriots' preference to play back-to-back games on the West Coast seems to trump the disadvantage of facing three straight clubs with extra time to prepare.

CBS' Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Rich Gannon (analysis) will call Sunday's game between the Patriots and Raiders in Oakland. This marks the first regular-season Patriots game to be called by Harlan and Gannon in 2008.

A look at the 1-2 broadcast tandems calling Patriots games this season:

Patriots-Chiefs: Greg Gumbel-Dan Dierdorf (CBS)
Patriots-Jets: Jim Nantz-Phil Simms (CBS)
Patriots-Dolphins: Ian Eagle-Solomon Wilcots (CBS)
Patriots-49ers: Dick Enberg-Randy Cross (CBS)
Patriots-Chargers: Al Michaels-John Madden (NBC)
Patriots-Broncos: Mike Tirico-Tony Kornheiser-Ron Jaworski (ESPN)
Patriots-Rams: Chris Rose-J.C. Pearson (Fox)
Patriots-Colts: Al Michaels-John Madden (NBC)
Patriots-Bills: Dick Enberg-Randy Cross (CBS)
Patriots-Jets: Bob Papa-Cris Collinsworth (NFL Network)
Patriots-Dolphins: Greg Gumbel-Dan Dierdorf (CBS)
Patriots-Steelers: Greg Gumbel-Dan Dierdorf (CBS)
Patriots-Seahawks: Dick-Enberg-Randy Cross (CBS)
Patriots-Raiders: Kevin Harlan-Rich Gannon (CBS)

While the Patriots are staying in California for the week, linebacker Tedy Bruschi has returned home to Boston for further tests on his injured left knee.

Bruschi's left knee has been nagging him in recent weeks -- he's been limited in practices -- and the tipping point came when a teammate accidently fell on him with 14:04 remaining in the second quarter of Sunday's 24-21 win over the Seahawks. The blow knocked Bruschi out of the game.

The injury is not career-threatening, but it very well could end Bruschi's season because the Patriots -- with three weeks to chase a playoff berth -- might not have time to wait for him to recover.

What would the Patriots be missing without Bruschi?

First and foremost, a strong veteran presence. Bruschi has been a starter at the strongside inside linebacker spot in the team's 3-4 alignment, playing in 52 percent of the team's defensive snaps this season. He has mostly been a first- and second-down player, replaced in sub packages when the Patriots look to add more speed to the field in passing situations.

Entering Sunday's game against the Seahawks, coaches credited Bruschi with 69 tackles (36 solo), a total which ranked second on the team.

Bruschi's top backup for much of the season has been rookie Gary Guyton. Another option at the position would be veteran Junior Seau.

The Globe's Christopher L. Gasper will have an in-depth look at the Patriots' complex playoff scenarios in tomorrow's newspaper, but here is one point worth pondering for now:

The Jets, Dolphins, Ravens, Colts, and Steelers all control their postseason destiny. The Patriots do not.

Even if the Patriots win all three of their remaining three games (at Oakland, vs. Arizona, and at Buffalo), they are no sure thing for a playoff berth since the tiebreaking procedures under the following circumstances are not in their favor:

Patriots coach Bill Belichick held a conference call with reporters this afternoon (2:30 p.m.), and while he did not provide updates when asked about the team's injured players, here were a few other nuggets of note:

The Sports Business Journal notes that the Patriots shuttered their China operation over the last few weeks as the NFL has "suspended indefinitely plans to play a preseason game in China."

The Patriots were supposed to play the Seahawks in a 2007 preseason game in China. When that announcement was made, it came with considerable hype, and was billed a countdown to the Beijing Olympics.

When the game was later postponed, there was discussion that it could be played in 2009.

Yet, as the Sports Business Journal reports, that will not happen.

A look at the snaps played by Patriots defenders in the team's 24-21 win over the Seahawks, which can sometimes add more insight into how players are being utilized:

A look at the position groupings utilized by the Patriots in their 24-21 win over the Seahawks:

A look at the snaps played by offensive skill-position players in the Patriots’ 24-21 win over the Seahawks:

A look at who's up and who's down from the Patriots' 24-21 win over the Seahawks:

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