TONIGHT’S GAME

OAKLAND AT NEW ENGLAND

* Time: 6 PDT.

* Television: Channel 7.

* The line: New England by 7 1/2 .

* Story line: With former offensive coordinator Charlie Weis now at Notre Dame, Tom Brady might call his own plays for the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Patriots. Coach Bill Belichick’s team was unbeaten at home the last two seasons and has won 17 consecutive games at Gillette Stadium since Dec. 22, 2002, when the Patriots lost to the New York Jets. Though the Raiders’ acquisition of Randy Moss in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings might have been the most significant off-season pickup by any NFL team, the All-Pro wide receiver won’t help a defense that ranked last in the league last season and gave up more points than all but one other team. The Raiders, 5-11 and last in the AFC West last season, are 9-23 since reaching the Super Bowl in January 2003.

-- Jerry Crowe