Brady saves best for last

''What more can you ask for?" Brady said. ''I was hoping we'd stop them, but they scored and I looked at the clock and we had 1:21 left. I was like, 'OK, now it's our turn.' "

Bill Belichick compared it with basketball.

''We were playing for the last shot," said the Mensa mentor.

When you're playing for the last shot you need guys who want the ball at the end of the game. Guys like Larry Bird. Guys like Michael Jordan. Guys like Brady and Vinatieri. Come to think of it, can Terry Francona borrow Brady and use him out of the bullpen this week?

Brady had plenty of help at Ketchup Field. The Patriots' depleted offensive line fought off the relentless Pittsburgh blitz, and a succession of running backs and receivers ran correct routes, made nice catches, and followed with nifty runs -- getting out of bounds whenever it was necessary. It was surgical.

''I think the guys made some great plays," said New England's surgeon general. ''If they're open, I'll find 'em. We just made enough plays in the end. We just executed better at the end."

Brady started the fourth quarter with an 86-yard touchdown drive that required only seven plays and consumed 3 minutes 42 seconds. On the next New England drive, he switched to the no-huddle, taking advantage of a winded Steeler defense.

''It felt like we had the ball forever," noted Brady.

He was almost correct. New England's time of possession was 35:23 compared with 24:37 for the home team.

After the Steelers stunned the Patriots, tying the game on a 4-yard lob from Ben Roethlisberger to Hines Ward, Brady went to work one last time.

New England took over on its 38 after a 34-yard kickoff return by Ellis Hobbs. Working out of the shotgun formation, Brady was almost leveled by a pair of Pittsburgh blitzers, but got the ball to Kevin Faulk, who gained 17 yards before he was pushed out of bounds. Back in the shotgun, Brady next went to Patrick Pass, who scooted 14 yards and got out of bounds at the Steeler 31.