Jaguars weren't snowed under

But what about the mixture of snow, a mud-packed Gillette Stadium field, and a Patriots team that has not lost on that field all season?

That was a problem.

Or at least that's the take by Jaguars running back Marc Edwards. As a former Patriot, he should know.

"I think playing on this field is an advantage," said Edwards, who spent the last two seasons in New England, starting in 23 of 32 appearances and playing in three postseason games.

"The field gets really chewed up," Edwards added. "It's just mud there in the middle of the field, and they're used to playing on that kind of surface. The conditions, the cold, stuff like that, that's all mental. You've got the heaters on the sideline, the heated benches, so that doesn't make a difference. It's just the field itself, the sloppiness of it, that makes a difference for them."

Not that the Patriots need such intangibles en route to posting the most regular-season wins in franchise history (12) and a team-record 7-0 mark at home. Surely a team that kept Jacksonville from scoring from inside the 20-yard line three times could have done the same had the game been played at the Hula Bowl.

It was that menacing New England defense and a steady offense led by quarterback Tom Brady that left the lasting impression on the Jaguars.

"Our team adjusted well to the weather, but the bottom line is that they made plays," said Jacksonville cornerback Fernando Bryant. "That's why they're winning so many games right now. They're making consistent plays, week in and week out. It's different people, but they're making those plays that are making a difference.

"I can't say enough about Brady. I think the key to their team is Brady. He's such a smart player, and he's not forcing things right now. He's moving around in the pocket and taking his shots when he has to. They're playing to their strengths. Their strength is their defense and their offense makes plays when it has to."

The Jaguars, who had won three of their previous five games, are a quality measuring stick for sizing up the best of the NFL. They have played Indianapolis twice, Tennessee, Baltimore, and Tampa Bay.

When asked how the Patriots measure up to say, Baltimore or Tennessee, Bryant said, "I think they match up better against Baltimore than Tennessee. Those three teams are good teams, but I think Tennessee matches up better against them."

Jacksonville wide receiver Jimmy Smith said the Patriots' defense reminds him more of Tennessee's.

"They play hard, they fly around, just like Baltimore," he said. "[However], I think they're more in the mold of a Tennessee defense that disguises a lot of the coverages, and you don't know where they're going to end up, and that could be the difference between winning and losing a ballgame."

Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said the Patriots are a solid team, but when asked to compare it with Tampa Bay's defense last season, he said, "I don't think it's quite on that level."

But the coach did credit the Patriots for stymieing their attempts to improve upon recent efforts. Jacksonville outgained New England in total yards, 354-296, but the Patriots were much better at converting opportunities.

"They're just playing good, sound defense," said Del Rio. "They're smart, a tough group. They play well together. They kept us out [of the end zone]. We were 0 for 3 in the red zone. If you're trying to beat a team like this, you have to convert some of those opportunities into touchdowns. We weren't able to do that."