FOXBORO (AP) - Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel says he always felt he would play against the Raiders last Sunday - which was six days after his father died.

New England beat Oakland 49-26, and Cassel threw a career-high four touchdown passes.
He took time off to be with his family after 57-year-old Greg Cassel died in California. Cassel already was in the northern part of the state preparing for the game.

He said Thursday that he prepared enough after returning to the team to be able to play and that he thinks his father would have wanted that.

The Patriots practiced on the West Coast between their games at Seattle and Oakland. Cassel said being around his teammates and his family helped.