AFC With home-field advantage in sight, Pats believe improvement is possible
After a 2-2 start, New England has won 11 straight games.
FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) -- The New England Patriots have won 11 straight games, have the best record in the NFL, and are one win away from securing home-field advantage for the AFC playoffs.
Yet, they still think they can get better.
"We're not changing our routine no matter how many games it is," said defensive end Willie McGinest, who returned an interception for a touchdown Saturday in a 21-16 victory over the New York Jets. "There are a lot of things we need to work on to improve to get where we want to go to."
Which is, of course, the Super Bowl in Houston.
"We had a bad start to the year, but that doesn't matter," defensive lineman Richard Seymour said. "It's how you finish. We've been able to string some wins together and we're playing well. But until we get to our ultimate goal -- to Houston -- we're not satisfied."
Close call in N.J.
The Patriots' 11th straight win came in another close game that was decided on big defensive plays. It was the seventh time this season the Patriots (13-2) have won by seven points or less.
The Patriots intercepted a season-high five passes. Tedy Bruschi's interception in the first quarter led to the Patriots' first touchdown -- a 35-yard pass from Tom Brady to David Givens. Brady finished 12-of-25 for 138 yards and two scores, both to Givens.
Ty Law made an interception in the end zone to kill a Jets' scoring threat in the third quarter and Eugene Wilson ended the Jets' final drive with another interception.
"It speaks of the individuals on this defense," said safety Rodney Harrison, who also had an interception. "You really have to give it to these guys, they're making plays. As a defense, we thrive on interceptions and sacks and we got enough of them [against the Jets]."
The Jets (6-9) lost by seven points or less for the sixth time this season, and will finish with a losing record for the first time since 1996 when they went 1-15. Chad Pennington finished 24-of-43 for 229 yards and ran for two touchdowns.
Finale
A victory in the Patriots' season finale at home against the Buffalo Bills would ensure New England of a first-round playoff bye and home-field advantage until the Super Bowl. The Patriots lost to the Bills 31-0 in the season opener.
"We're not jumping for joy. We haven't done anything yet. We have bigger goals to achieve," Bruschi said.
That bigger goal is a trip to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years. The Patriots beat the St. Louis Rams 20-17 two years ago.
Running back Antowain Smith, who ran for a season-best 121 yards, thinks the Patriots are even better than the Super Bowl championship team.
"I think we are a lot better team," he said. "But we need to continue to get better to be an elite team and prove it."