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Patriots top Jets to stay perfect

Dec 17, 2007 - 1:31 AM By Mike Petraglia PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

FOXBORO, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- Not even Mother Nature could put a stop to the historic run of the New England Patriots.

Eugene Wilson returned a first-quarter interception for a touchdown and recovered a key second half fumble as the Patriots overcame a winter storm and held off the New York Jets, 20-10, at a wet and windy Gillette Stadium.

The Patriots became the first NFL team to go 14-0 since the Miami Dolphins in 1972 and in the process clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

"I'm sure it's going to be a factor throughout," Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said of securing home field. "I've been in this in winter-time conditions, practiced in the snow and the rain and sleet and it's nice that we have the field we do."

New England won despite a season-worst performance by Brady, who failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time since December 10, 2006. Brady finished 14-of-27 for 140 yards and an interception.

Laurence Maroney picked up the slack offensively, rushing for a season-high 104 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. It was his second 100-yard effort of the season and first since Week Three.

"We're happy with our record, but right now it's all one-week seasons," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said.

A combination of Chad Pennington and Brad Smith replaced injured quarterback Kellen Clemens following the Jets' first possession but could not lead New York (3-11) to the upset.

The weather overshadowed the first meeting between the two bitter rivals since Jets coach Eric Mangini claimed that Belichick illegally videotaped signals from the sideline during New England's 38-14 win on September 9.

"It's good to sweep the Jets and we'll move on to Miami," Belichick said.

Following the game, the two coaches did shake hands at midfield.

"This is a good football team that's obviously hard to beat and we had some opportunities to put ourselves in a very good position and just couldn't finish those," Mangini said.

Approximately six inches of snow blanketed the tarp-covered field in the early-morning hours before it turned to rain two hours before kickoff. Plows were on the field six hours before the game to shovel away the snow.

With snow not a factor, both teams had to deal with a driving rain storm throughout.

"That was a good football game out there today," Belichick said. "I'm proud of the way the guys played. They dealt with the elements. All the other things that go into a tight game like this, and made plays throughout the game - made some in the fourth quarter, made some in the second quarter."

The Patriots forced the first big mistake in the inclement weather. Pressured by Richard Seymour in his own end zone, Clemens attempted a desperation pass to Brad Smith.

Wilson picked off the fluttering pass and walked in from five yards out for his first career touchdown to give New England a 7-0 lead with 9:33 remaining in the first.

"That was great, my first one ever. The ball looked normal," Wilson said. "Today was one of those great days for me. Every week you see guys get those picks where the ball comes right to them and I happened to be that guy this week."

Clemens injured his rib cage on the play and did not return.

Wilson became the 21st Patriots player to score a touchdown this season, tying an NFL record held by the 2000 Denver Broncos and the 1987 Los Angeles Rams.

"It's frustrating to come in here and play a good football game against a good football team in some pretty difficult conditions," Clemens said. "The guys played hard and gave great effort. It is frustrating to come up short."

The strong winds forced Brady to do much of his work with his legs in the first half. He scrambled on a 4th-and-2, keeping a 17-play, 75-yard drive alive and leading to a 26-yard field goal by Steve Gostkowski for a 10-0 lead with 8:51 left in the opening half.

"Obviously, it's not very conducive to throwing the football," Brady said of the weather. "I wish we played in a dome every week. That's not the case in Foxboro, but you play with whatever conditions are out there."

New York's David Bowens broke through the New England line and blocked Chris Hansen's punt attempt. Bowens picked up his own block and rumbled 26 yards for the touchdown, drawing the Jets within 10-7 with 7:15 remaining in the second quarter.

But New England's Kelley Washington returned the favor when he broke through and blocked Ben Graham's punt with his left arm, setting up the Patriots with a 1st-and-goal at the Jets 3-yard line.

Two plays later, Maroney dove in from 1 yard out to restore New England's 10-point lead and a 17-7 lead at halftime.

Wilson was again in the right place midway through the third quarter when Adalius Thomas forced Chris Baker to fumble at the New England 10. Wilson recovered the ball and thwarted the threat in the red zone.

"I knew he was holding it loose and I was just hoping someone would hit it and it just popped out and I said, 'Oh, here we go.' I just picked it up and tried to get what I could," Wilson said.

The Jets closed within 17-10 when Mike Nugent connected on a 33-yard field goal with 6:13 remaining in the fourth.

The Patriots responded by driving 55 yards in eight plays, leading to Gostkowski's 34-yard field goal and a 10-point lead with 3:21 to play.

"I don't think you ever prove a point by losing," said Pennington, who finished 25-of-38 with 186 yards. "Our guys don't feel that way. We're not into moral victories, that's for sure. We're highly disappointed. We always feel like that no matter what the records are coming into a Patriots-Jets game, it's always a good game and game we have a chance to win."