EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Patriots' crack media relations crew noted in its halftime notes that the Pats' 91-yard, 12-play TD drive on their first possession of the game marked the first time New England had scored a touchdown on its opening drive of the season since 1997, when they drove 73 yards in 7 plays for a TD against the Chargers, Ben Coates hauling in a 4-yard scoring toss from Drew Bledsoe.

-- JIM DONALDSON