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Halftime notes

Halftime notes courtesy of the Patriots media relations department:

BRADY'S LINE
Tom Brady completed 12-of-15 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown in the first half, good for a 115.0 passer rating. Brady spread his 12 first-half completions out to seven different receivers, hitting Wes Welker and Benjamin Watson three times each, Sammy Morris twice, and Heath Evans, Marcellus Rivers, Kelley Washington and Donte' Stallworth once each.

RIVERS SCORES
Tom Brady found an open Marcellus Rivers for a 6-yard touchdown strike in the second quarter to give the Patriots a 10-0 lead. Rivers, who was signed by the Patriots as a veteran free agent on Aug. 8, has played in 75 career games with 13 starts for the New York Giants (2001-04) and Houston Texans (2005). Rivers also spent time with the Oakland Raiders in the 2006 preseason and was on the New Orleans Saints roster for one game during the 2006 regular season, but was inactive for that contest. Rivers has recorded 51 career receptions for 395 yards (7.7 avg.) and four touchdowns.

LONG DRIVE
The Patriots put together an 18-play, 90-yard drive in the first quarter that ended in a 23-yard field goal and a 3-0 Patriots lead. After gaining possession at their own 5-yard line, the Patriots marched to their own 24-yard line and faced a fourth-and-one. Instead of punting, New England elected to go for it and gained the first down on a 5-yard run by Sammy Morris. Laurence Maroney ran eight times for 38 yards on the drive, while Morris and Wes Welker each caught a pair of passes.

SWAT TEAM
Vince Wilfork blocked a 49-yard field goal attempt by Carolina's John Kasay in the second quarter. In the 2006 regular season, the Patriots blocked two field goals, with Mike Wright and Richard Seymour each coming up with a block. Following Wilfork's block, the Patriots took over at Carolina's 45-yard line and put together a 10-play drive that ended in a 6-yard touchdown reception by Marcellus Rivers and a 10-0 Patriots lead.