But the perception is one reason New England is favored by 6 1/2 points for Sunday's meeting in Foxboro with the New York
Jets, a game between two of the NFL's three remaining unbeaten teams with the AFC East lead on the line.
The spread also conveys some skepticism about the Jets.
They are 5-0, but the teams they've beaten are a combined 6-22. Take away San Diego's three wins and Cincinnati, Buffalo,
Miami and San Francisco have just three wins among them, and one of those is by the Bills over the Dolphins.
Still, the game provides Bill Belichick with a way to take attention off the winning streak and put it on what he and his
players say is their only goal this year — winning another Super Bowl. While a win this week would set yet another record
of most consecutive regular-season wins at 18, the more important issue truly is the division title.
There's also the "get the big guys" factor.
"Everyone wants to beat the people who are on the top," quarterback Tom Brady says. "With us winning the championship last
year and being 5-0 this year, everyone is ready to take us down. We know that. We feel that. We are doing everything that
we can to not allow that to happen, but we are always going to get all of these teams' best efforts."
Last week's Seattle game demonstrates why the Patriots have won 20 in a row. Brady fumbled, then was intercepted as the
Seahawks rallied from a 20-3 deficit. But he produced 10 points on the next two drives to help put away the victory.
And Bethel Johnson, inactive two weeks ago for unspecified reasons, made a diving 48-yard catch to set up the clinching
touchdown.
The Jets can keep it close. Most teams that play the Patriots do.
They just don't win.
PATRIOTS, 27-23
