Patriots Dismantle Chargers To Reach Super Bowl XLII

January 20, 2008 8:32 p.m. EST

Foxborough, MA (AHN) - It was ugly but near-perfect nonetheless-and this is as close as it gets to immortality.

The New England Patriots bled for points when it was supposed to cruise all along, ran on the ground instead of using its air-friendly assault and withstood Tom Brady's three interceptions to hack out a convincing 21-12 against the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Championship game on Sunday.

Expected to encounter one-sided scoring against the injury-ravaged Chargers, the Patriots went conservative this time and played its offense to a screeching halt for most of the game. But in a chilly Gillette Stadium and running on its own dictated tempo, the 18-0 Patriots marched problem-free to their fourth Super Bowl in seven years.

Brady groped for form without finding Randy Moss, got sacked twice and picked off three times against a stubborn Chargers defense. But an unlikely partner, rusher Laurence Maroney, and a stingy New England defense bailed Brady out and reduced San Diego's offense to four field goals all game long.

Maroney plowed the field for 122 yards, his second straight 100-plus rushing yardage in the postseason, accounting for one touchdown, early in the second period when the Patriots took the go-ahead 7-3 lead.

But Maroney, who also had a similar 122-yard performance against Jacksonville in the divisional round last week, saved his best for last in the second half, running for 100-plus yards down the stretch to help New England manage time and preserve the nine-point win.

Now, the record-setting Patriots earn a much-needed break from chilling weather that gripped New England for most of the postseason. They head on to the desert in Glendale, Arizona in two weeks time for Super Bowl XLII, needing one more win to cement its place in the NFL record books.

The Chargers were unlikely visitors at Foxborough but for most of the game, they showed they deserved to be in the conference game. Phillip Rivers threw for 211 yards on 19-of-37 attempts but had no touchdowns. San Diego outgained New England in the passing game but Vincent Jackson and Chris Chambers, who combined for 183 yards, could not find the end zone several times.

The Patriots rammed them and baffled them for good.

Brady tossed for 209 yards, and had two scores, a 12-yard pass to Jabar Gaffney in the second period and a six-yard touchdown completion to Wes Welker that settled the final margin, early in the fourth quarter.

Kevin Faulk finished with 82 yards and Moss only had one catch for 18 yards. The star wide receiver also rushed for 14 yards in another silent output following a 14-yard effort against the Jaguars.

Last year's MVP LaDainian Tomlinson started the game but went out after rushing for just five yards early in the first quarter. The league's leading rusher injured his knee in the divisional game against Indianapolis last week and spent most of the Patriots-Chargers game on the sidelines.

Michael Turner had 65 yards rushing and Darren Sproles added 34 yards on three rushes. Antonio Gates, who was battling a dislocated toe, caught 17 yards on two receptions.