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Brady helps unbeaten Patriots shred Redskins

Oct 29, 2007 - 5:09 PM By Mike Petraglia PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

FOXBORO, Massachusetts (Ticker) - Tom Brady used his arms and legs to make the Washington Redskins the latest victims of the New England Patriots.

The Redskins had been the only NFL team the Patriots quarterback hadn't beaten in his career but Brady changed that Sunday, throwing three touchdowns while running for two as the Patriots (8-0) beat the Redskins, 52-7.

"I thought that was a solid performance by our team today," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "I thought the players really did a good job. We had probably our best week of practice that we've had all year, especially defensively. I thought the guys really went out there and played well."

The rout sets up a matchup of undefeated teams next week when New England visits the Indianapolis Colts.

"They're a great team so we know we have our work cut out for us," said Brady of the Colts. "They've beaten us the last three times and they've won 12 in a row. We've got a long week and a lot of preparation."

Only halfway through the season, Brady reached a career high for touchdowns in a season (30) while completing 29-of-38 passes for 306 yards.

"I think he's very, very good at what he does," Washington coach Joe Gibbs said of Brady. "He's got the experience and he's got a lot of talent around him and I think he's exceptional."

Brady has thrown for at least three touchdowns in all eight games and remains well ahead of the pace to shatter Peyton Manning's single-season record of 49 set in 2004.

"They presented some different challenges so I think we made quite a few good plays out there," Brady said. "The important thing was to really stay on track and get positive plays. (We) had the one turnover, which was unfortunate, but for the most part it was a good day."

The loss was especially painful to the Redskins (4-3). Rookie starting cornerback Carlos Rogers injured his right knee on the game first's drive and did not return.

For the eighth time in as many games, the Patriots came away with points on their opening drive. But for the first time, Brady finished it off using his legs, not his arm.

Facing a 3rd-and-goal at the 3-yard, Brady dropped back to pass. With no one open, he scrambled up the middle, diving across the goal line for his first rushing score of the season and his first since December 11, 2005 vs. Buffalo.

Brady added a 2-yard keeper for a score in the third quarter.

"No, I don't want to be running," Brady laughed. "Trust me. I think mine were just about as far as I could go so anything longer than that, I'm not trying to run it."

Brady threw touchdown passes of 2 yards to Mike Vrabel and 7 yards to Randy Moss in the second quarter to help New England take a 24-0 halftime lead. He finished off his big day with a 2-yard strike to Wes Welker in the fourth.

The Patriots defense made life miserable all day for Redskins quarterback Jason Campell, who lost three fumbles on the day while completing 21-of-34 passes for 197 yards with one TD and one interception.

"Everyone has their bad days and their great days and, unfortunately, was one of those (bad) days," Campbell said. "One thing we have to do now, myself, and as a team, is to go back to work and make sure that we don't feel this way ever again."

Campbell's third and final fumble came on a sack by Vrabel, leading to an 11-yard return for a touchdown by linebacker Rosevelt Colvin.

In addition to his touchdown catch, Vrabel forced two of Campbell's three fumbles.

"He had some big plays for us," Belichick said of Vrabel. "He made a nice play down there on the goal line and had some strip sacks. I thought he tackled well. Mike's a good player for us."

The Patriots have scored at least 34 points in each of their eight wins - an NFL record - and have won their first eight games for the first time in team history.

The Patriots are the only team in the NFL to gain at least 400 yards in every game this season.

"From a Redskins standpoint, you give New England all the credit," Gibbs said. "I think they have a heck of a football team all the way down and I think they are extremely well-coached all the way across the board."

The Patriots are the only team in the NFL to gain at least 400 yards in every game this season.

"I don't think you could say enough good things about the Patriots," Gibbs said. "That's the kind of way I look at it. You've got to give them all the credit."

Now the Patriots turn their attention to the Colts, the team they lost to in the AFC title game last season.

"Obviously, they're a great team," Belichick said. "They've won 12 in a row (dating to last season). They've beat us in three straight so there's no better team in football than the Indianapolis Colts. It will be a huge challenge for us up there."