New England Patriots defeat San Diego Chargers, 21-12

FOXBOROUGH - Anyone else left out there who thinks the Patriots are just a cutesy aerial circus?

The fact is they've been playing trench warfare football for the past eight weeks. An additional fact is that in the last two weeks they have been a classic playoff team; i.e. one that wins with defense and smashmouth offense.

"We're prepared," explained safety Rodney Harrison. "That's what we do. We have the talent, the personnel, and the smarts to do whatever you want u...

FOXBOROUGH - Confetti fell on the frigid field, U2 blared through the speakers, and the Patriots had returned to their rightful place atop the American Football Conference. It was a perfect celebration for a perfect team.

End up short of the Super Bowl? The Patriots would not, not this year.

After a two-season absence, the ultimate one-game-at-a-time team is heading to Glendale, Ariz., for the NFL's ultimate game, Super Bowl XLII, with only the New York Giants able t...

FOXBOROUGH - Their relentless quest for perfection is almost complete. The undefeated New England Patriots need just one more victory to establish themselves as the 1927 Yankees of football: Greatest team ever.

The journey started one year ago today when the Patriots were humbled by the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship game. The Patriots returned to the conference title game yesterday and beat the San Diego Chargers, 21-12, at frosty Gillette Stadium to advanc...

FOXBOROUGH - There Tom Brady was, hanging out at his favorite haunt, otherwise known as the red zone. He hadn't thrown an interception in that sacred section of the football field since Jan. 14, 2006, the day Denver cornerback Champ Bailey leaped in front of one of his normally pinpoint missiles and punctured New England's playoff dreams.

Now it was two years and 62 red zone touchdowns later, and the Patriots quarterback, older and infinitely wiser, was surveying a thir...