FINALLY!

This was the team we were expecting with the return of Tom Brady. Check that. This is what we were expecting plus some excellent defense.

Sunday the Patriots gave their best effort of the season. Don't tell me about the Tennessee game. The Titans could not have beaten a Pop Warner team back then. This was a start-to-finish domination of a Jacksonville team that needed this game desperately. New England did not give the Jaguars the chance to even decide if they were going to show up. The Pats jumped on the Jags like Smerlas on a plate of chicken wings: with no mercy.

OFFENSE : A

Tom Brady was as close to perfect as you can get. He was as on target as he has been all year. The one thing I noticed was a lack of deep throws, but that was not a problem because he was so good with every other throw. That no-look duck of the outside pass rush was beautiful.

Just refer back to almost any of the previous report cards and my grade for Wes Welker is going to be the same. Welker will finish first in the NFL in receptions. It is a distinct possibility that he will also finish second in total yards and first or second in yards per game and NOT be selected first team All-Pro. He may not be glamorous enough for the national voters but we here in New England have been witness to one of the great years in NFL history for a wide receiver.

Randy Moss looked smoother in his routes than in previous weeks. Somehow the Jaguars defense did not bother to double him enough, especially in the red zone.

This week's offensive line configuration was the Patriots' best yet. Stephen Neal and Sebastian Vollmer solidify the right side of the line. If the line stays healthy, this should be the starting group for the playoffs. Granted, they were playing a poor pass-rushing team, but it has been four straight games without a sack. The line is playing great. The run blocking has been as good as the pass blocking.

The only reason this was not an A+ grade was because Laurence Maroney fumbled at the goal line on the opening drive. He was then benched for the remainder of the game. He probably would have been benched earlier in the season, but the Patriots did not have Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris available at the time.

Morris was very good. Taylor was fine against his old team. After Taylor's war of words with Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio during the week, it must have been sweet to come away with a big victory over his former team.

With the inadequate pass rush offered up by the Jaguars, it was a good bet that the tight ends would be involved in the offense. Chris Baker had a great touchdown catch. Ben Watson chipped in with one catch but was solid in the run game.

DEFENSE : A

While everyone was caught up in the offensive output, it was the defense that set an even better tone early. When the offense fumbled early, the defense stepped up and had a great fourth down stop on the Jaguars' ensuing drive, setting up the first Patriots' touchdown. The Brandon Meriweather interception set up another score. The defense came to play on Sunday.

The secondary made plenty of big plays. James Sanders and Meriweather stepped up in both the run and pass defense. Big hits at crucial times were the order of the day for these two. Shawn Springs had a great pick at the goal line and was pretty good the rest of the day.

Jerod Mayo was making a lot of plays from sideline to sideline. I still would like to see more physical play out of him and Gary Guyton. Derrick Burgess and Adalius Thomas were active enough. Tully Banta-Cain continues to perform like a possible team defensive MVP.

The defensive line was strong even in the absence of Vince Wilfork. It was encouraging to see Ty Warren, even in a limited role.

SPECIAL TEAMS : A-

Stephen Gostkowski's kickoffs were better than they have been in a month. Not much to report on other than that. The Pats returned only one kick and one punt. New England's one punt was fine and was covered well.

COACHING : A

Bill Belichick and his staff had the team ready to play. The offense and defense both came out swinging. The execution was nearly flawless and the play calling was very good. Benching Maroney had to be done.

Even though the offense scored only seven points in the second half, they were in control the entire way. The Patriots had great rhythm and play calling on the two second half drives that ate up almost 19 minutes. That time of possession crushed any hope the Jaguars may have had for a comeback. This was one of their better second halves this season.

This was the type of playing and coaching New England will need in the playoffs -- not necessarily the domination, but certainly the offensive execution and the big plays on defense. Brady said after the game that if the Patriots play like this they can play with anyone in the league. He has been around enough to know what he is talking about.