14-0 win puts Patriots in winter wonderland
Eugene Wilson returned a first-quarter interception for a touchdown and recovered a key second-half fumble as the Patriots became the first 14-0 team in the NFL since the 1972 Miami Dolphins.
New England also clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
“I’m sure it’s going to be a factor throughout,” Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said of the advantage.
“I’ve been in this in winter-time conditions, practised in the snow and the rain and sleet, and it’s nice that we have the field we do.”
New England won despite a season-worst performance by Brady, who failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time since December 10, 2006.
Brady finished 14 -of -27 for 140 yards and an interception.
Laurence Maroney picked up the slack offensively, rushing for a season-high of 104 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries.
It was his second 100-yard effort of the season.
A combination of Chad Pennington and Brad Smith replaced injured quarterback Kellen Clemens following the Jets’ first possession but could not lead New York (3-11) over the mighty Patriots.
The weather overshadowed the first meeting between the two bitter rivals since Jets coach Eric Mangini claimed that Patriots coach Bill Belichick videotaped signals from the sideline during New England’s 38-14 win three months ago.
“This is a good football team that’s obviously hard to beat and we had some opportunities to put ourselves in a very good position and just couldn’t finish those,” Mangini said.
About six inches of snow blanketed the tarp-covered field in the early hours before it turned to rain two hours before kick-off.
Workers shovelled away the snow prior to the game but driving rain persisted throughout.
Playing in even worse blizzard conditions, the Cleveland Browns defeated Buffalo 8-0.
Two inches of snow blowing in 69km/h seemed to bother the Bills much more than the Browns.
Cleveland were seeking to clinch a play-off berth for the first time since 2002 but were denied when Tennessee defeated Kansas City.
The Browns had to survive a late drive by the Bills, who moved 60 yards to the 10-yard line and faced a fourth down with 16 seconds to play.
The Bills attempted a screen pass, but safety Sean Jones broke through to take down Fred Jones and end it with three seconds to play as Cleveland recorded its first shutout since November 20, 2005.
It was also cold and snowy in Pittsburgh where David Garrard tossed three touchdown passes as the Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Steelers 29-22.
Jacksonville (10-4) also used the power running of Fred Taylor to move one step closer to their first play-off berth since 2005.
Tennessee’s 26-17 win in Kansas City prevented Jacksonville from clinching a post-season berth.
Taylor rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries, only the second 100-yard game the Steelers have allowed in their last 63 contests.
The Miami Dolphins no longer have to worry about becoming the NFL’s first 0-16 team.
Cleo Lemon threw a 64-yard touchdown pass to Greg Camarillo with 8:14 remaining in overtime as the Dolphins finally won their first game of the season 22-16 over the reeling Baltimore Ravens.
“It feels like we won the Super Bowl,” said defensive tackle Vonnie Holliday.
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