There was no hangover for the suddenly balanced Patriots.
New England today bounced back from last week’s loss at Buffalo, handling the resurgent Raiders in a 31-19 victory.
The Pats are 3-1. Oakland falls to 2-2.
Tom Brady was just OK in the victory, passing for 226 yards. But the rushing game did more than its part — Stevan Ridley and BenJarvus Green-Ellis both found the end zone.
The Raiders had the better of the run of play in the first half, but the Pats took over after Patrick Chung picked off Jason Campbell in the end zone. Vince Wilfork largely sealed things late with his second interception of the season.
New England returns to Foxborough next Sunday for a grudge match with the Jets (4:15 p.m., CBS, 98.5 FM).
