EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- As has been the case since he arrived in New England, LaMont Jordan couldn't wipe the smile off his face Sunday night.

The running back played a big role in putting the game away for the Patriots, killing the clock in the fourth quarter and picking up big yards -- in all, he had a team-high 11 carries for 62 yards.

But it wasn't just the snaps that Jordan was happy about; it was the win. After spending the last three years with Oakland, the feeling of victory hasn't come too often for the veteran back.

"It felt good -- second game, two victories -- it's a good feeling," he said. "My first role when I became a Jet was to be a four-minute back, and today I was able to get back to that role. It feels good to do that and contribute as a Patriot."

Drafted by New York in the second round in 2001, Jordan was Curtis Martin's backup and often came on in the closing minutes of games to salt away the win, much as he did Sunday against his former team.

Though the Raiders won just four games last season, they came in two two-game bursts. The first, in Weeks 3 and 4, Jordan was part of; but by the second, in November, he had been benched by the team and the protracted drama between the two sides had begun.

-SHALISE MANZA YOUNG