Patriots set their sights on getting better

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 for the duration of the AFC playoffs.

Yet the team still talks about getting 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 in Saturday’s 21-16 victory over the New York Jets. New England (13-2) has an NFL-best six defensive touchdowns this season. “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.”

The Patriots’ 11th straight win was like many of the previous 10 – won by a narrow margin with big plays on defense. It was the seventh time this season the Patriots have won by seven points or less.

The Patriots had fewer first downs (22-13) and less total yardage than the Jets (321-271), but intercepted Chad Pennington a season-high five times. 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 killed 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) on the other hand, 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. Pennington finished 24-of-43 for 229 yards and ran for two touchdowns.

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 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, think this year’s Patriots are even better than the Super Bowl championship team. Now it’s just a matter of convincing the rest of the league.

“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.”

AP-ES-12-21-03 1855EST