New England vs Oakland recap: Tom Brady, Patriots dominate with 33-8 final score

The New England Patriots ran out to a 17-0 lead at the half and picked up right where they left off in the second half. The Patriots received the opening kick off and quarterback Tom Brady found wide receiver Brandin Cooks for a 64-yard touchdown pass and a 24-0 lead.

The game was over at this point.

The Patriots settled for field goals on their next three drives as Stephen Gostkowski climbed the ranks to move into the top 20 in NFL history for scoring, while the Raiders and wide receiver Amari Cooper scored a garbage time touchdown as Malcolm Butler lost his outside leverage.

Brady completed 30 of 37 (81.1%) for 339 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions for a passer rating of 131.9, while Brandin Cooks chipped in 6 catches for 149 yards and a touchdown and Dion Lewis added 88 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. The New England defense combined for 7 passes defended on the day.

The Patriots won 33-8.

New England held their sixth-straight opponent to fewer than 17 points and the offense showed that they cannot be contained- even with wide receiver Chris Hogan sidelined. There are just too many ways for the Patriots to beat opposing teams, not even factoring in how teams like the Raiders seem to beat themselves.

The Patriots are now 8-2, tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers atop the AFC, while the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins were busy getting embarrassed and the Kansas City Chiefs losing their fourth game in their past five attempts.

The AFC is now down to the Patriots and Steelers, with the Jacksonville Jaguars the surprising third-best team in the conference. The Patriots host the Miami Dolphins next week with a chance to clinch a winning record for the 18th-straight season.