November 18, 2002
 

RAIDERS DEFEAT PATRIOTS SUNDAY NIGHT

In a rematch of last season’s AFC Divisional Playoff game, the Oakland Raiders reversed their fortune this time around, handing the New England Patriots a 27-20 defeat in Oakland Sunday night.

The Raiders opened up a 24-6 lead over the defending Super Bowl champions on a SEBASTIAN JANIKOWSKI 39-yard field goal followed by three 2-yard touchdown runs: two by RB ZACK CROCKETT and one by QB RICH GANNON.  Gannon finished the game 26 of 38 for 297 yards.

The Patriots’ defense and special teams both produced big plays to keep New England in the game.  Patriots LB TEDY BRUSCHI returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter to bring New England to within 24-13.  Then, after a Janikowski field goal put Oakland ahead 27-13 with just over a minute left in the game, New England’s KEVIN FAULK returned the ensuing kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown for the final score of the night.

With the win, Oakland improves to 6-4, while New England drops to 5-5.