NFL

Patriots' time of year has arrived

By JOANNE KORTH
Published January 7, 2006

One more win.

That's what the Patriots need to set an NFL record with 10 consecutive playoff victories. The chance comes today in an AFC wild-card game against the Jaguars.

New England is favored.

Of course it is. Tom Brady is playing.

Brady, who took over as Patriots quarterback in 2001, is 9-0 in playoff games.

"I'm confident when he's on the field," New England coach Bill Belichick said. "I'm confident that he'll make good decisions and good plays for us. So when he makes them, I'm really not surprised."

In leading New England to three Super Bowl victories the past four seasons, Brady completed 190 of 304 passes for 1,951 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. Opposing quarterbacks in those games were comparable in every category but one. They threw a combined 17 interceptions.

"You try to play error-free football more so than any other games you play in," said Brady, who has the most consecutive playoffs wins of any quarterback who began his career in the Super Bowl era.

"You're playing the best teams in the league and any one mistake can get you beat. The games usually come down to one or two plays. If you ever take anything for granted, you could throw an interception, you could get strip-sacked and that could be the difference. You make a bad read on a red-zone pass and instead of getting a touchdown you get three points and you lose by a field goal. You just have to play your best."

The Patriots' nine-game streak is tied with the Packers, who won nine straight under legendary coach Vince Lombardi from 1961-67. New England will try to become the first team to win three straight championships or to win four in five years.

"It's definitely tough," defensive end Richard Seymour said. "When you look at free agency and everything that goes on in the National Football League, it's a tough league. With players moving around and coaches moving around, it's definitely tough to repeat or even win a championship. To have the opportunity to go for our third is amazing."

WHO'S NO. 1? The Bucs finished ranked No. 1 in total defense but largely because the Bears rested their starters and gave up big yards in a meaningless final game against the Vikings. Chicago is not willing to concede the title of best defense.

If Tampa Bay wins today, it sets up a division showdown in Chicago.

"I think it's obvious who the best defense in the league is," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "We know that we are. We'll get a chance to show what kind of team we are in that playoff game."

Linebacker Brian Urlacher agreed.

"I think we know we're No. 1," he said.

WILD ODDS: Since the 12-team playoff format was introduced in 1990, four wild-card teams have reached the Super Bowl: the 1992 Bills, 1997 Broncos, 1999 Titans and 2000 Ravens. The Broncos and Ravens joined the 1969 Chiefs and 1980 Raiders as the only wild-card teams to win the Super Bowl.

Also since 1990, at least one road team has won a wild-card game in 13 of 15 postseason games. No team in league history, however, has won three straight playoff games on the road and then won the Super Bowl.

Information from other news organizations was used in the report.

[Last modified January 7, 2006, 01:25:29]