The Patriots beat the Raiders, 20-17, on a Friday night in Boston, aided by a freak play. The Raiders led 17-13 in the fourth quarter, when Wayne Crow’s punt from the Oakland end zone struck the goal post and bounced back into the end zone where Boston’s Leroy Moore recovered it for a touchdown.
Center Jim Otto came down with the flu but played the game anyway.
Quarterback Tom Flores suffered a hip injury early on, but stayed in the game.