Meet the new boss...same as the old boss

The New England Patriots began their quest for a 3rd strait Super Bowl title Thursday night with a 30-20 win over the Oakland Raiders. The Pats started off sluggish, allowing the Raiders to march down the field on the opening drive for a touchdown and 7-0 lead...The Pats scored the next 10 points before giving up a 70+ yard TD pass to Randy Moss. From there on it was all Patriots. Tom Brady got the Pats back on the board with a TD pass to Tim Dwight and a 17-14 half time lead.

The Patriots D stepped up in the 2nd half as a pressured Kerry Collins lost the ball that was picked off by Vince Wilfork. From there Corey Dillon ran in from 8 yards to give the Pats a 23-14 lead. The extra-point was blocked (not the only poor special teams play, as a punt was also blocked). Mike Vrabel (above) also had a nice sack that helped prevent the Raiders from doing much of anything.

Tom was in full control in the 4th, aided by numerous Raider penalties, as the Pats marched down the field for a 2nd Dillon TD run.

Earlier in the night (with your Uncle Buck on hand) the Patriots unveiled their 3rd Super Bowl Championship banner.

Ozzy Osbourne made a surprise appearance, joining Green Day, Michelle Branch and Santana during the pregame rock-fest. Ozzy performed "Crazy Train", the Patriots traditional entrance song, as the team took the field...