Patriots, Raiders Win Monday Night Double-Header

By Jon E. Dougherty at 13 Sep 2011

(Newsroom America) -- The New England Patriots rode the hot hand of quarterback Tom Brady to a historic win over the Miami Dolphins as Oakland Raiders' kicker Sebastian Janikowski tied an NFL record to boot a 63-yard field goal to beat Denver at home in a Monday Night Football debut double-header.

Brady threw for a team-record 517 yards and four touchdowns, including a 99-yard strike to wideout Wes Welker, as the reigning AFC East champs steamrolled to an eighth consecutive opening day win over the Dolphins 38-24 in Miami.

New England totaled 622 yards on offense, a franchise record and the most-ever allowed by Miami.

Fins QB Chad Henne also had a good night, completing 30 of 49 for 416 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but it wasn't enough as the Miami defense, gassed often from being on the field so much, gave way to Brady and the Pats.

In Game 2 of the double-header, the Raiders managed to eke out a victory over the Broncos in what the NFL Network described as a "clumsy" win. But the victory was the first ever for new head coach Hue Jackson, while Denver's loss was the first for head coach John Fox in his first game for the Broncos.

Brady, who went 32-of-48 passing, became the 11th quarterback to throw for at least 500 yards, NFL.com reported. The record of 554 yards was set by Norm Van Brocklin in 1951.

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