Pats advance to AFC Championship

(Originally published on www.profootballdigest.com on January 10, 2004)


LUCKY 13 - PATS WITHSTAND ELEMENTS, TITANS TO ADVANCE TO AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
by C.C. McCandless

Adam Vinatieri added to his legacy as the most clutch cold weather kicker in NFL history, booting a 46 yard field goal that provided the margin of victory as the New England Patriots held off the Tennessee Titans, 17-14, in an epic battle at Gillette Field in Foxboro.  Patriots veteran receiver Troy Brown provided perhaps the biggest offensive play of the night when he converted a 4th and 3, ultimately resulting in Vinatieri's game-winning kick four plays later.  The Pats overcame both a resilient Titans team that simply wouldn't die as well as a game time temperature of four degrees--the coldest post-season contest that either club has ever been involved in--and held on for a victory that sends them to the AFC Championship game next week in Foxboro against Kansas City or Indianapolis.

While Tom Brady and New England went into a very conservative offensive attack in the second half, his "big picture" numbers speak for themselves.  A few that jump out are:

* The Patriots won their 13th straight game--the best in the NFL this year and the best in Patriots history

* New England improved to 9-0 at home in their first ever playoff contest at Gillette Field

* Brady notched his 14th career victory when his team was tied or trailing in the 4th quarter (and 5th this season)

* Tom Brady has never lost in the playoffs (4-0)

Pick any statistic above and it is easy to understand why pundits and prognosticators continue to saddle the young New England quarterback with comparisons to perhaps the greatest signal caller in NFL history, Joe Montana.  On the surface, they might seem absurdly premature, but the comparisons are right on base.  Each was a relatively unheralded draft choice--Montana a 3rd round selection, Brady a 6th round choice.  Neither man possesses great arm strength downfield or superior running skills.  And all that either of them did, or do, is win close games.  Montana's clutch career included four trips to the Super Bowl, and four victories in the Roman Numeral game.  Brady is now just one week away from a shot at being halfway to Montana's mark--and at just age 26, no less.  Brady already holds the record for youngest QB to win a Super Bowl.

So was it a one man show at The Razor?  Hardly.  Once again, the staunch Patriots defense stepped up.  All-world defensive lineman Richard Seymour snuffed a Gary Anderson field goal attempt, and the Pats defense held co-MVP Steve McNair to a relatively pedestrian 210 yards passing on 26 attempts.  In all honesty, the game was not as close as the final score indicated.  The Patriots committed a handful of huge penalties, including a Seymour roughing the passer call, to keep Titans drives alive.  There were also several missed calls that could have gone against Tennessee--a pair of apparent delay of game penalties that were not called as well as two or three clear pass interference calls that could have been made against Patriot receivers.

In the end, this game was everything it was hyped to be.  The Titans showed no lingering emotional hangover from their brutal road tilt in Baltimore just seven days ago, which is a reflection on the great preparation job done by their outstanding coach, Jeff Fisher.  McNair and Eddie George (16 carries, 48 yards) were obviously hampered by their injuries but they both battled like warriors.  In the end, the New England Patriots did what they have done all season long--they made enough big plays to win.  Any of several could be seen as the biggest play of the night--rookie Bethel Johnson's opening 41 yard score, the drive extending Brady-to-Brown laser, Brady's crucial block (yes, the QB threw a massive block too, resulting in an integral first down) on a Johnson third down conversion, or Vinatieri's clutch kick.  Pick one.  This one was a team effort, just like the previous twelve wins were before it.  And there was no celebration in the New England locker room at the end of the game.  They are well aware that they've got another big game at home in just eight days, and the forecast remains the same: cold and bitter, with another talented opponent coming to town looking to knock them off.  This time, the ultimate AFC prize will be at stake: a trip to the Super Bowl.  Judging by their effort tonight, there is no doubt that the New England Patriots will be ready and waiting.