Now, That Was the Patriots

AFC champs reverted to old DNA for win
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 21, 2008 11:39 AM CST
Now, That Was the Patriots
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, left, quarterback Tom Brady, center, and running back Laurence Maroney, right, celebrate after winning the AFC Championship football game 21-12 against the San Diego Chargers in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2008, to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP...   (Associated Press)

That’s the best team of all time? The Patriots who showed up yesterday didn’t look much like a juggernaut poised to cap off a perfect season that included scores like 52-7 (Washington) or 56-10 (Buffalo). Instead, in grinding out a 21-12 victory over the Chargers they looked like something better, ESPN’s Gene Wojciechowski writes: the old Patriots.

“This is what we consider Patriots football,” said linebacker Tedy Bruschi. The Patriots did what their Super Bowl-winning teams did: They hung in there, adapted, and got clutch defensive plays. When Bill Belicheck met Bruschi after the game, there was no “18-0, baby!” celebrating. “Great job in the red area,” was all the coach said. (More New England Patriots stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X