OAKLAND -- Field position doesn't seem to matter. The Patriots could get the ball on the San Francisco side of the Bay Bridge and still drive into the Raiders' end zone.

Scoring for the third time in as many possessions, the Pats drove 83 yards in 9 plays, Sammy Morris running 29 yards for the TD.

The 21 first-quarter points ties a franchise record. The Pats last put up 21 in the first quarter on Oct. 29, 1978, against the Jets, in Foxboro, and also scored 21 in the first quarter at Miami, Dec. 15, 1974.

The last time they scored 21 points in a period was last December 23, against the Dolphins, in the second quarter, at Gillette.

-- JIM DONALDSON