What happened: The quarterbacks, Jacksonville’s David Garrard and New England’s Tom Brady, were brilliant. The Patriots pretty much need only two or three stops a game from their defense. Brady can take it from there. Slot receiver Wes Welker had nine catches during the second and third quarters.
What it means:
The Patriots improved to 17-0, the record the 1972 Dolphins had when they completed the NFL’s only perfect season.
What’s next:
With a 10- game home winning streak in the playoffs dating to 1978, the Patriots host the AFC championship game next Sunday.
Quarter by quarter
First: Both teams went for it on fourth down near midfield on their opening possessions. Both made it. Both went on to score touchdowns.
Second: At halftime, Garrard was 12-for-14 with a 150.6 passer rating and Brady was 12-for-12 with a 136.1 rating.
Third: The Pats had two possessions in the quarter. Brady threw for two touchdowns.
Fourth: Brady is 13-2 in postseason play. One of those losses was two years ago at Invesco Field at Mile High.
