12/16 — We're off and running. Mike Nugent kicks off, puts the ball over the goal line, and this time Ellis Hobbs doesn't go 100-plus yards the other way. He gets the ball to the Patriots 26.

On third down, a variation of the "cloud" alignment with only Dewayne Robertson down, four other "LBs" standing up. Tom Brady still completes a short pass to Wes Welker, who squeezes through for a first down.

The Pats cross midfield and again the Jets get a third down and do their standing-around thing. This time Brady looks for Randy Moss to come back on the right sideline, Moss doesn't, and CB Darrelle Revis nearly comes up with a gift interception. New England is forced to punt, and Willie Andrews and Kelley Washington conspire to down the ball at the Jets 3.

Then comes the gift interception. On second down, Kellen Clemens throws from his end zone for Brad Smith and the pass is ill-advised. Just before getting crushed by Richard Seymour barging past LG Adrien Clarke, he throws it right to DB Eugene Wilson grabs it and struts 5 yards for the easy, quick TD 5½ minutes into the game.

The Gillette fans celebrate by firing snowballs out of all sections of the stadium up, down, all around.

Patriots 7, Jets 0

Wilson becomes the 21st different Patriot to score a touchdown this season, tying the NFL record set by the 1987 Rams and equaled by the 2000 Broncos.

The Jets have some tricks in coming right back off the deck. First Brad Smith runs the option expertly with a flip to Leon Washington, who cuts up between Wilson and LB Adalius Thomas and is off to the races. The play covers 49 yards — the Jets' longest run since Curtis Martin also went 49 yards at Buffalo in 2005 — to the Patriots 25.

Another option is fumbled by Washington, bringing in Laveranues Coles and ... Chad Pennington, for his first play since ceding the QB job to Clemens in Game 8. And Pennington hits a big play, a 16-yard completion to Jerricho Cotchery.

Then Smith returns at QB and gets to throw his first NFL pass. But it's behind Chris Baker and the Jets come up empty.

Clemens was shaken up on the interception, going to the locker room with a rib injury, but CBS reports his return to the game is probable. And on the Patriots' next drive, Coles, playing on his very painful ankle, also goes to the locker room.

The Patriots keep mixing the run and the pass to drive to the Jets 28. Brady sees Randy Moss one-on-one with S Eric Smith. Smith wins this one as he bats down the off-line throw. Then for the third time, Brady seems to keep on a busted play and gains 4 yards.

It's fourth-and-2 at the Jets 20. Do the Pats go for it or try a 38-yard field goal into the wind? Neither. They let the game clock run out and then take some time to decide if they want to keep or kick with the wind.