Not very Brady, but still 18-0

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Throughout the NFL season, quarterback Tom Brady carried his New England teammates when they needed him most.

Sunday, it was the rest of the Patriots who did the lifting.

With a trip to Super Bowl XLII at stake and NFL history hanging in the balance, the Patriots relied on their stout defense and clock-burning running game to beat San Diego, 21-12, turning back an inspired effort by the banged-up Chargers.

It was an oh-so-close call for the undefeated Patriots, who overcame three interceptions by Brady and on three occasions stopped the Chargers inside the New England 10-yard line.

Said linebacker Mike Vrabel: "It was probably our time to win a game."

And now the Patriots have a chance to win their fourth Super Bowl since 2001, plus secure a hallowed place in league history. They're 18-0 and with one more victory will join the 1972 Miami Dolphins as the only teams to win every game, from opener through grand finale.

In two weeks, the Patriots will face the NFC champion New York Giants in Glendale, Ariz., with the Lombardi Trophy, the gaudy diamond rings and all the glory going to the champion.

The Patriots didn't know that feeling last year, when Indianapolis overcame an 18-point deficit to beat them in the conference championship game at the RCA Dome. That memory is fresh in the minds of many New England players.

"I remember leaving the bus at Indianapolis and just reflecting on how close we were, and how disappointing it was knowing that there was another team that was going instead of us," Brady said. "And now we can look at where we are now and be proud of what we've accomplished thus far, but realize there's a greater challenge ahead."

For the Patriots who already have some rings on their fingers, Sunday's game had a nostalgic feel. Linebacker Tedy Bruschi, for instance, referred to the grind-it-out victory as simply "Patriot football," something different from the blowouts that came earlier this season.

"I mean, 52-7, I was never used to," Bruschi said. "It was something that even in all of our championship years never happened. That never happened on a consistent basis. We would have a blowout or two here or there, but never three, four, five in a row. These are the games we're used to."

The Patriots clinched the victory with their ground game, using handoffs to Laurence Maroney to run the final nine minutes off the clock and deny San Diego the chance to whittle away at the nine-point deficit.