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Brady, Moss lead Patriots in rout of Chargers

Sep 17, 2007 - 5:33 AM By Mike Petraglia PA Sportsticker Contributing Writer

FOXBORO, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- Tom Brady and Randy Moss helped take the heat off their coach for one night.

With coach Bill Belichick coming off a $500,000 NFL fine and loss of a 2008 draft pick for videotaping signals last week, Brady tossed three touchdowns - two to Moss - as the Patriots dominated San Diego, 38-14, at a fired-up Gillette Stadium on Sunday night.

"I thought our players had a real good week of preparation," Belichick said. "At times it was challenging but they stayed focused and I think they were well prepared for the game and they played well and played hard tonight. You give them all the credit in the world."

Belichick was introduced over the public address system moments before kickoff, sparking a standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 68,756.

"I want to thank the fans for their awesome support," Belichick added. "I definitely felt that from the time I walked out on the field. They showed up tonight and showed their support and gave us some energy and we appreciate that."

The Patriots took the opening drive and methodically marched down the field in seven plays, covering 69 yards, with Brady finding a wide open Benjamin Watson in the right flat of the end zone for a touchdown.

Moss followed up his 183-yard performance in Week One with his first touchdown before the home fans as Brady found Moss in stride down the right seam for a 23-yard scoring strike to give the Patriots a 14-0 lead.

"That was a great defense we faced," Brady said. "I'm proud of the way our guys prepared this week. I think over the years we've had a lot of distractions from week to week and this team and our coaches have always done a great job of keeping us focused and tried to make sure that the most important thing that we're doing in terms of preparation is what we're taking care of."

"I don't know if it is a chip on their shoulder or how you would describe it," Chargers head coach Norv Turner added. "I would say this, the Patriots are playing at a very high level. They played the same way last week. They came out and probably played faster than they did a week ago. They got a week better."

The Patriots defense held the Chargers scoreless in the first half and allowed the high-powered offense just 201 yards the entire game.

"I'll be honest with you, this is one of the most satisfying wins of my career," Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi said. "We went through a lot this week and it was one of the tougher weeks where we had to block out a lot of things. To come out and win this game after hearing some of the things that were said about our team, this victory was for all Patriots teams, past and present, under coach Belichick."

Moss, who was acquired from the Oakland Raiders for a fourth-round pick, hauled in another score, a 24-yard strike down the left sideline in the third quarter to open a 31-7 lead.

Moss finished with eight receptions for 105 yards. It marked his first back-to-back 100-yard performances since the beginning of the 2005 campaign.

Brady was 25-of-31 for 279 yards.

The Patriots, who failed to convert their first turnover into points when Stephen Gostkowski was wide right from 41 yards in the first quarter, turned two other San Diego giveaways into 10 points.

Philip Rivers was sacked by Junior Seau and fumbled into the arms of the waiting Vince Wilfork. Gostkowski converted from 24 yards to build the lead to 17-0.

Things got worse for Rivers two possessions later when he was picked off by linebacker Adalius Thomas, who collected the ball with his outstretched hands above his head and raced 65 yards to the end zone to make it 24-0.

"The big thing tonight was a combination of things," Turner said. "We turned the football over. We had three turnovers in the first half. Obviously, we were playing a very potent offense and they kept the football. They drove the football and kept the football."

Turner downplayed reports that his team took extra precautions this week at their team hotel to keep Patriots personnel away.

"I don't think it took away from the game planning," Turner said. "Obviously, that was the issue during the week. The great thing about this game is that it is played between those white lines. A lot was made out of that. Certainly we are going to take precautions like every team is going to take precautions but it comes down to going out and playing the games."

Brady's only mistake of the first half kept the Patriots from adding to their lead just before halftime. A pass intended for Moss was thrown behind the receiver and was tipped into the hands of Clinton Hart.

The Chargers continued the momentum on the opening drive of the second half, using 16 plays and driving 72 yards in 8:17 to get on the scoreboard. Rivers rolled out on a fourth and goal at the 1 and found a wide-open Lorenzo Neal for the touchdown.

The Chargers closed the deficit to 31-14 early in the fourth quarter when Rivers found Antonio Gates for 12-yard touchdown pass. Gates finished with seven catches for 77 yards.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft told NBC TV at halftime of its national broadcast of the game that he could not confirm that Belichick has been signed to a contract extension through 2013 because of team policies.

"The coach and I have had a policy that we don't discuss his contract, but he's made great contributions to this franchise over the last seven years and myself, and all of our fans truly appreciate his efforts," Kraft said.

"We've got a great owner," added Belichick. "He's been great all week."