Such an approach was to be expected considering that both coaches -- the Patriots' Bill Belichick and the Jets' Eric Mangini -- know each other so well. And in the end, the Patriots called checkmate with a 37-16 victory that was closer than the score indicated.
As is the case in most chess matches, Bruschi said the key was to never lose their edge -- especially mentally.
"You saw the offensive line out there during a punt formation, and we had to run our defense on, then run our defense off, then run them back on. We got them with 12 men on the field once, and I think they got us with 12 men on the field. They had a lot of shifts and motions. You saw timeouts being called," he said.
"I think what we had to do was stay calm and let them do all their shifts and motioning, and trust our preparation to make the proper adjustment."
The Patriots made them, and ultimately made more plays to put away the pesky Jets and record their ninth straight playoff victory at home. The result catapults the team into the AFC divisional round, where the top-seeded Chargers await next Sunday in San Diego (4:30 p.m. EST).
The turning point yesterday came late in the third quarter, the Patriots holding a 20-13 lead but the Jets driving into New England territory.
When quarterback Chad Pennington dropped back to pass, he lofted an attempt in the direction of receiver Jerricho Cotchery. Outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin batted the ball down, and many players on the field believed the play was over as a result of an incomplete pass, but not nose tackle Vince Wilfork. He picked up the loose ball and rumbled 31 yards to the Jets' 15-yard line.
Because it was not a forward pass, it was ruled a fumble and technically was recorded a rush by Pennington.
In a heady game, it was the most heads-up play of all.
"I think the big play was the Wilfork recovery of the fumble and him rumbling down the field," Bruschi said.
