Patriots' play on third down was first-rate

CINCINNATI - After the Patriots' 34-13 win Monday night over Cincinnati, Tedy Bruschi joked that teams should consider putting a stop sign on Mike Vrabel.

Bruschi's fellow linebacker was once again a touchdown-catching tight end, grabbing a 1-yard pass from Tom Brady in the first quarter. It was Vrabel's ninth career reception, all of which have resulted in scores.

But on the other side of the ball Vrabel, Bruschi, and the Patriots defense did put up stop signs, especially on third down, forcing the bickering Bengals to go 0 for 7 in that situation.

Third-down dominance was one of the primary reasons the Patriots improved their record to 4-0. The New England offense was 7 for 12 on third down, a 58 percent conversion rate, and all three of Brady's TD passes, one to Vrabel and two to Randy Moss, came on third-down plays.

The Patriots lead the NFL in offensive and defensive third-down efficiency. The offense has converted 20 of 39 third downs (51.3 percent) and the defense has held opponents to a 30-percent success rate (12 of 40).

The one New England touchdown that didn't come on third down was a third-quarter 7-yard run by Sammy Morris, who had the second 100-yard rushing effort of his career (21 carries for 117 yards), filling in for Laurence Maroney. Morris found the end zone on fourth and 1 with 7:55 left in the third quarter.

But the key play on the drive, which gave New England a 24-7 lead, was a third and 3 at their 26 that the Patriots converted when wide receiver Wes Welker scampered 27 yards on a reverse.

"Any time you can convert on third down and keep the drive going and try and make things happen that is huge," said Welker.

"It was a play that looked like it was going to break down for a while and then it kind of opened up like the Red Sea. Kevin [Faulk] did a great job of selling it, and the guys did a great job of blocking and we were able to get around the corner."

The Patriots used their running game, which averaged 5.1 yards per carry - 34 rushes for 173 yards - to set up manageable third downs and keep the Bengals guessing.

Brady's first touchdown pass to Moss, a 7-yarder in the second quarter, came on third and 4. His second one, a 14-yard collaboration late in the fourth quarter, came on third and 5.

On the other side of the ball, the defense set the tone on Cincinnati's first possession. On third and 11 from the 30, Adalius Thomas, lined up as a fourth down lineman, blew past Bengals left tackle Levi Jones for his first sack as a Patriot.

Bruschi had a big third-down stop in the third quarter. With the Patriots leading by 17, Cincinnati was driving and had third and 2 at the New England 22. Bruschi batted down a Carson Palmer pass, forcing the Bengals to settle for a 40-yard field goal from Shayne Graham, one of two field goals Graham had on the night.

The Patriots held the Bengals to just 57 yards rushing on 15 carries, forcing them to pass on third down. Of the Bengals' seven third downs, three were third and 11, one was third and 8, one was third and 5, one was third and 3, and one was third and 2. Cincinnati called pass plays each time.

And sometimes the Patriots didn't even let the Bengals get to third down.

Asante Samuel sparked the backbiting between Palmer and Johnson when he intercepted a skinny post intended for Johnson at the 2-yard line on second and 9 from the New England 20. The pick, which came 1:22 before halftime, sent the Patriots to the locker room with a 10-point lead (17-7) and all the momentum.

The Patriots' penchant for ushering other offenses off the field and keeping their own on it leads to lopsided time of possession numbers. Against Cincinnati, the Patriots possessed the ball for 37 minutes 24 seconds to just 22:36 for the Bengals.

"I think the one thing it does when we get a huge advantage in time of possession, if an offense can do that, it wears the other defense down," said Bruschi. "And we're a little bit fresher than we would usually be. I think that's a huge advantage."

Cornerback Ellis Hobbs said that what worked against Cincinnati doesn't matter anymore. The Patriots are moving on to the Cleveland Browns, whom they host this Sunday.

One team from Ohio down and one to go.

Christopher L. Gasper can be reached at cgasper@globe.com.