FOXBORO -- After rookie Julian Edelman's 35-yard punt return put the Pats in scoring position on their first possession, they came up empty when Stephen Gostkowski was wide right with a 39-yard, field-goal attempt.

It was the second straight miss by Gostkowski, who also was wide right with a 40-yard attempt in the second half of last Sunday's 3-point, overtime loss at Denver.

Prior to that miss against the Broncos, Gostkowski had made 12 straight field goals.

Patriots fans always will remember Adam Vinatieri's 45-yard field goal in the swirling snow with 27 seconds remaining that sent New England's 2001 AFC semifinal playoff game with the Raiders into overtime. The Pats eventually won in O.T. on Vinatieri's 23-yard field goal and then went on to win their first Super Bowl.

Vinatieri also had the game-winner in that unforgettable, 20-17 victory over the Rams, nailing a 46-yarder as time expired in Super Bowl XXXVI in the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.

"I'll always remember the Super Bowl kicks," Vinatieri said. "But if you ask me what was my best kick ever, I'd have to say that one against Oakland."

-- JIM DONALDSON