Patriots play home opener against Raiders in stadium where opponents rarely win
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12), long snapper Danny Aiken (48) and kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) run during a stretching session before practice begins at the NFL football team's facility Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014 in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia) (The Associated Press)
Stevan Ridley's father switched his allegiance from the Oakland Raiders when his son was drafted by the New England Patriots.
The running back's dad sure picked a winner.
The Patriots are 25-4, including playoff games, at Gillette Stadium since 2011, when Ridley was drafted. Now they're two-touchdown favorites in their home opener against the Raiders on Sunday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Patriots are 11-1 in home openers since they moved into Gillette in 2002. The only loss came when Stephen Gostkowski missed a 42-yard field goal attempt on the next to last play — after making three longer ones — as the Arizona Cardinals won 20-18 in 2012.
And dating back to 2006, Tom Brady is 56-5 in his past 61 home games, including playoffs.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL