FIRST LOOK

Oakland (10-6, 1-0)

at New England (11-5, 0-0)

Saturday, 5 p.m.

Channel 2

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How they got here: Oakland defeated the New York Jets, 38-24, in a wild-card game. New England received a bye as the East Division champion.

2001 meetings: None. Raiders lead all-time series, 14-3-1, and won last meeting, 21-17, at Foxboro, Mass., in 1994.

2001 common opponents: Oakland lost to Miami, 18-15; New England split its season series with Miami. Oakland beat Indianapolis, 23-18; New England beat Indianapolis twice. New England lost to Denver, 31-20; Oakland split its season series against Denver. New England beat San Diego, 29-26; Oakland beat San Diego twice. New England and Oakland each split two games with the Jets.

About Oakland: Despite a nice victory over the Jets on Saturday, the Raiders still have some questions. They were the first team to clinch a playoff berth, but lost four of their last six games, during which quarterback Rich Gannon criticized his teammates, while they criticized Gannon.

About New England: The Patriots need to slow down Jerry Rice to stop the Raiders. The last time they met in the playoffs, New England won, 27-20, in Los Angeles to advance to the 1985 AFC title game vs. Miami--and eventually on to Super Bowl XX.

Houston Mitchell