Patriots cap off trip with 33-8 win over Raiders in Mexico
MEXICO CITY (AP) The New England Patriots approached their nine-day trip to Denver and Mexico City the way they do just about everything else under coach Bill Belichick.
They were all business.
And now they head home with two convincing wins over AFC West opponents as the Patriots once again appear to be peaking at just the right time of the season following their sixth straight win.
Tom Brady threw for 339 yards and three scores , the Patriots forced two key first-half turnovers and Stephen Gostkowski kicked a team-record 62-yard field goal to lead New England to a 33-8 victory over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.
”These trips come down to whether you win or lose,” Brady said. ”You remember it when you win, but if you lose, you want to forget it as fast as you can. … You really have to focus in on what you have to do, and you’ve got to try to keep your routine as best you can so that, when you come out there and play, you’re ready to go.”
After starting the trip with a 41-16 win over the Broncos , the Patriots (8-2) spent the week at the Air Force Academy to acclimate themselves to the thin air at 7,200 feet elevation at Azteca Stadium.
They arrived in Mexico City on Saturday and thoroughly dominated the Raiders to the delight of a crowd that featured many fans chanting ”Brady! Brady!” throughout the game.
”We talked about it, when we took off to go to Denver, about a long trip but making it worthwhile,” safety Devin McCourty said. ”Being away from home meant preparing, doing a good job of preparing, and being together, executing our game plan. I think, both sides of the ball, we did that today.”
The game turned during a key sequence late in the first half. The Raiders (4-6) were driving and poised to cut into a 14-0 deficit when Seth Roberts caught a pass inside the 5. Roberts held the ball loosely as he fought for more yardage and Marquis…
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