Patriots' streak survives against Jets

New England won another close game, 13-7.
FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) -- Patriots coach Bill Belichick smiled and waved to the home crowd after his team won yet again.
A 13-7 victory over the rival New York Jets extended New England's NFL-record winning streak to 21 games, and the Patriots also set a regular season mark with their 18th straight win, surpassing the 17 won by the 1933-34 Chicago Bears. Plus, the Patriots made it to 6-0 for the first time in franchise history.
But as usual, Belichick did not utter one word about streaks to his players after the game. Instead, the usually dour coach was happy about being alone in first place in the AFC East.
"Hey, I was happy to win," Belichick said. "Anytime we win a division game, I am happy. You are never going to see me unhappy if we win in the division."
Close encounters
In the rare matchup between unbeaten teams, the Patriots triumphed in yet another close game, forcing the Jets (5-1) into mistakes that ended up costing them. New York lost a fumble in the red zone, and two penalties led to 10 points.
The biggest play came from the expected: the defense. On fourth-and-8 from the New England 30, Chad Pennington only needed to get a first down to keep the Jets alive for a go-ahead score. He tried to throw to Wayne Chrebet, but Rodney Harrison broke up the pass with 2:14 remaining.
In the huddle before the play, the Patriots stayed calm. After all, they had been there many times before.
"There's never nervous moments," linebacker Tedy Bruschi said. "We've been in that situation, so whatever it is we're going to realize it and make a play."
Willie McGinest and Richard Seymour made a play just before Harrison. On third-and-5 from the 27, they combined to stop Curtis Martin for a 3-yard loss.
Watching from the sideline, Tom Brady knew the defense would make something happen.
"We go into these games with so much confidence that defense will play well," Brady said. "When you have to go a long way, those guys make it tough."
Patriot leaders
Brady was effective, and his 7-yard touchdown pass to David Patten just before halftime ended up being the difference. Brady finished 20-of-29 for 230 yards and a touchdown, and Corey Dillon had 22 carries for 115 yards, the first 100-yard runner the Jets have allowed all season. David Givens also had five catches for 107 yards.
Martin passed Jim Brown for seventh place on the NFL career rushing list in the second quarter. Martin had 70 yards on 20 carries to finish the game with 12,382 career yards. Brown ran for 12,312.
But mistakes ended up costing the Jets. A penalty for 12 men on the field, on fourth-and-1, gave the Patriots a first down early in the second quarter, and New England converted the mistake into points when Adam Vinatieri made a 27-yard field goal to make it 6-0.
After Pennington scored on a 1-yard bootleg run to put the Jets up 7-6, New England got the ball back with 1:55 remaining in the half.
Brady moved the Patriots to the New York 13 with 18 seconds to go. On the next play, tackle Dewayne Robertson was whistled for roughing the passer. Brady connected with Patten for the 7-yard score to give the Patriots the lead.
The Jets also had their first drive of the game squelched because of a mistake, when Ted Johnson forced Jerald Sowell to fumble at New York's 15, and Randall Gay recovered.
"Playing New England is very much like playing chess," Martin said. "When two very good people play chess, the one that makes a mistake loses."
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.