New England Patriots vs. Las Vegas Raiders: 2008 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-12-14, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Las Vegas Raiders, pulling away with a 49–26 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Cassel (New England Patriots) paced the passing game, with +17.58 total EPA, and -3.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Cassel (New England Patriots) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +17.58 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+9.7% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when New England Patriots changed the game: (10:29) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short middle to 33-K.Faulk for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 M. Cassel · New England Patriots · Passing · +17.58 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
2. 2 R. Moss · New England Patriots · Receiving · +10.37 total EPA · 5 snaps · +2.07 EPA/play
3. 3 K. Faulk · New England Patriots · Receiving · +8.37 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.39 EPA/play
4. 4 W. Welker · New England Patriots · Receiving · +7.59 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.26 EPA/play
5. 5 L. Jordan · New England Patriots · Rushing · +6.18 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
6. 6 S. Morris · New England Patriots · Rushing · +4.36 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Higgins · Las Vegas Raiders · Receiving · +4.34 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.45 EPA/play
8. 8 D. McFadden · Las Vegas Raiders · Receiving · +4.22 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.41 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• New England Patriots — K. Faulk (M. Cassel pass) (Q1 55:29)
• New England Patriots — R. Moss (M. Cassel pass) (Q1 53:05)
• New England Patriots — S. Morris (Q1 48:50)
• Las Vegas Raiders — J. Higgins (J. Russell pass) (Q1 46:47)
• New England Patriots — W. Welker (M. Cassel pass) (Q2 43:19)
• Las Vegas Raiders — J. Miller (Q2 43:12)
• New England Patriots — E. Hobbs (Q2 42:59)
• New England Patriots — R. Moss (M. Cassel pass) (Q3 26:42)
• Las Vegas Raiders — R. Curry (J. Russell pass) (Q3 20:07)
• New England Patriots — L. Jordan (Q4 6:19)
• Las Vegas Raiders — D. McFadden (Q4 1:59)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: New England Patriots won the period 21–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the LV 7 (Q1 55:29) — (10:29) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short middle to 33-K.Faulk for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the LV 2 (Q1 55:23) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the LV 20 (Q1 53:05) — (8:05) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass deep left to 81-R.Moss for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the LV 2 (Q1 52:57) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the LV 29 (Q1 48:50) — (3:50) 34-S.Morris up the middle for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the LV 2 (Q1 48:43) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the NE 56 (Q1 46:47) — (1:47) 2-J.Russell pass short middle to 15-J.Higgins for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q1 46:34) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler..

The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 14–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the LV 13 (Q2 43:19) — (13:19) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short middle to 83-W.Welker for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the LV 2 (Q2 43:12) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the NE 30 (Q2 43:12) — 3-S.Gostkowski kicks 61 yards from NE 30 to LV 9. 22-J.Miller for 91 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 42:59) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the LV 30 (Q2 42:59) — 11-S.Janikowski kicks 65 yards from LV 30 to NE 5. 27-E.Hobbs for 95 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the LV 2 (Q2 42:46) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson..

The third quarter: New England Patriots won the period 7–6. New England Patriots found the end zone from the LV 9 (Q3 26:42) — (11:42) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short middle to 81-R.Moss for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the LV 2 (Q3 26:36) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the NE 10 (Q3 20:07) — (5:07) 2-J.Russell pass short right to 89-R.Curry for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 7–6. New England Patriots found the end zone from the LV 49 (Q4 6:19) — (6:19) 32-L.Jordan right tackle for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the LV 2 (Q4 6:09) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the NE 11 (Q4 1:59) — (1:59) 20-D.McFadden left tackle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• New England Patriots (Q1 55:29) — (10:29) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short middle to 33-K.Faulk for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.7% · EPA +3.07]
• New England Patriots (Q2 42:59) — 11-S.Janikowski kicks 65 yards from LV 30 to NE 5. 27-E.Hobbs for 95 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.4% · EPA +6.60]
• Las Vegas Raiders (Q1 46:47) — (1:47) 2-J.Russell pass short middle to 15-J.Higgins for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.1% · EPA +4.54]
• New England Patriots (Q1 57:35) — (12:35) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short right to 83-W.Welker to LV 20 for 16 yards (37-C.Johnson). [WPA +5.7% · EPA +2.18]
• Las Vegas Raiders (Q2 33:07) — (3:07) 2-J.Russell pass deep right intended for 87-A.Lelie INTERCEPTED by 24-J.Wilhite at NE 1. 24-J.Wilhite to NE 17 for 16 yards (75-M.Henderson). [WPA -5.1% · EPA -4.06]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• New England Patriots (Q2 42:59) — 11-S.Janikowski kicks 65 yards from LV 30 to NE 5. 27-E.Hobbs for 95 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.4% · EPA +6.60]
• Las Vegas Raiders (Q2 43:12) — 3-S.Gostkowski kicks 61 yards from NE 30 to LV 9. 22-J.Miller for 91 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +2.6% · EPA +6.27]
• New England Patriots (Q4 6:19) — (6:19) 32-L.Jordan right tackle for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.0% · EPA +5.33]
• Las Vegas Raiders (Q1 46:47) — (1:47) 2-J.Russell pass short middle to 15-J.Higgins for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.1% · EPA +4.54]

Quarterback report card

M.Cassel led all passers in efficiency for New England Patriots, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Cassel (New England Patriots) · 36 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -3.7% CPOE · +0.49 EPA/play · +17.58 total EPA
• J.Russell (Las Vegas Raiders) · 35 dropbacks · 48.6% completion · -7.6% CPOE · +0.04 EPA/play · +1.29 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, New England Patriots generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.37 vs +0.06), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Las Vegas Raiders: 12 drives, +5.47 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• New England Patriots: 13 drives, +33.91 total EPA, 7 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• New England Patriots leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• M. Cassel (New England Patriots) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Cassel (NE) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• J. Russell (LV) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 55:29 · LV 7 · Score 6-0
   (10:29) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short middle to 33-K.Faulk for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 55:23 · LV 2 · Score 7-0
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
3. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 53:05 · LV 20 · Score 13-0
   (8:05) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass deep left to 81-R.Moss for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 52:57 · LV 2 · Score 14-0
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
5. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 48:50 · LV 29 · Score 20-0
   (3:50) 34-S.Morris up the middle for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 48:43 · LV 2 · Score 21-0
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
7. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q1 46:47 · NE 56 · Score 21-6
   (1:47) 2-J.Russell pass short middle to 15-J.Higgins for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q1 46:34 · NE 2 · Score 21-7
   11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
9. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 43:19 · LV 13 · Score 27-7
   (13:19) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short middle to 83-W.Welker for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 43:12 · LV 2 · Score 28-7
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
11. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q2 43:12 · NE 30 · Score 28-13
    3-S.Gostkowski kicks 61 yards from NE 30 to LV 9. 22-J.Miller for 91 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q2 42:59 · NE 2 · Score 28-14
    11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
13. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 42:59 · LV 30 · Score 34-14
    11-S.Janikowski kicks 65 yards from LV 30 to NE 5. 27-E.Hobbs for 95 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 42:46 · LV 2 · Score 35-14
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
15. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 26:42 · LV 9 · Score 41-14
    (11:42) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short middle to 81-R.Moss for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 26:36 · LV 2 · Score 42-14
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
17. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q3 20:07 · NE 10 · Score 42-20
    (5:07) 2-J.Russell pass short right to 89-R.Curry for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 6:19 · LV 49 · Score 48-20
    (6:19) 32-L.Jordan right tackle for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 6:09 · LV 2 · Score 49-20
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
20. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q4 1:59 · NE 11 · Score 49-26
    (1:59) 20-D.McFadden left tackle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.