FOXBORO - Laurence Maroney is rapidly running and earning respect, producing 122 yards on the ground, more importantly 116 of those during the second half which earned the New England Patriots nearly 24 minutes of possession time against the Chargers in winning the AFC Championship game.

"You had a lot of critics talking about our running game and the productivity of the running game early on in the season," said Maroney, who also had 122 rushing yards last week against Jacksonville, the third-best single-game total in Patriot playoff history.

Maroney had a career-best 835 yards during the regular season, including 77 yards against the Chargers in Foxboro, in the second week of the season.

But for the playoffs, the second-year running back out of Minnesota has shifted into overdrive.

"They (San Diego) played tough in the first half. They played tough in the second half, but it seemed like they started giving ground in the second half," said Maroney. "We just kept pounding them and eventually those little two-yard runs started breaking into eight- and 10-yard runs." Maroney's one-yard TD run in the second quarter marked his fifth straight game with a TD, but in the second half he lugged the ball 19 times, his longest gain being for 20 yards in the fourth quarter (to the San Diego 20) which set up New England's third touchdown.

Only Curtis Martin (seven straight games in '96) and Robert Edwards (six straight in ''98) have scored touchdowns in more consecutive games.

"It felt good to go out there and run the clock out with the running game," said Maroney. "We came into the game and we try to be balanced. If the pass doesn't work, hopefully, the run will work.

"I really didn't know what to expect or how many carries I was going to get. I just know that whenever they did call my name, I was going to be ready."

No moral victory

Shawne Merriman, the Chargers' LB, could not take consolation that the Chargers intercepted Tom Brady three times, held him to just 209 passing yards, held Randy Moss to one catch or limited the Patriots to 21 points. "No matter what the situation, we have to keep them off the board," said Merriman. "We needed to do a lot of things better, finishing is one of them. We got after them as well as any team."

New England players received a $79,500 paycheck for advancing to the AFC title game and could earn another $78,000 for winning the Super Bowl - a check of $40,000 goes to the losing finalists

"I just have to wait and see what happens," said Charger RB LaDainian Tomlinson of his hyper-extended knee, which limited him to two carries and one pass reception for six total yards. "Hopefully, with rest, it's not torn or anything. But, it is an MCL and with rest I'll be fine."

The Patriots are just 3-8 against the spread over the last 11 games

Brady, who was sacked just 21 times during the regular season, was dropped twice by the Chargers and had three pass interceptions, "I have to try to make some corrections and move on. I don't think we executed as well as I thought we were capable. The first one, kind of got in between what I wanted to do. The second one, I was just trying to get the ball to Donte (Stallworth) and he got a hand on it. The third one, I just lost track of (NFL pass theft leader, 10, Antonio) Cromartie. That's what they do, they make you pay." Brady's two TD passes extended his streak to 14 games, second only to the Packers Brett Favre

Special player

Patriot WR and specialty teams member Kelly Washington made a nice knockdown of punter Chris Hanson's third kick inside the San Diego five-yard line in the second quarter

For that matter, Hanson had firs- half punts of 48 (to the San Diego 22), 39 (to the San Diego 27), 36 and 37 yards - after punting just once last week against Jacksonville

Ellis Hobbs and Ted Bruschi were each in on eight tackles for the Patriots. Hobbs had an interception and Bruschi made a nice goal line defense on Charger TE Antonio Gates "It was crucial that we had those red zone stops,"said Bruschi. "It's great to see in the biggest game of the year that we can come up and force them to kick field goals." Bruschi played in his 21st playoff game, the most by any Patriot, surpassing Troy Brown (an inactive for the roster) 20 postseason appearances

"I know guys are excited to be here and be AFC champions, but we've still got work to do and we've still got a game to win," said Patriot LB Mike Vrabel of the Feb. 3 Super Bowl game.

"When you win often, it leads into greater things," said Patriot LB Junior Seau. "You learn that during the course of life. I don't care if you're a rookie to an 18-year vet, I don't care if you're a third grader, all we ever want in life is a chance."

Charger QB Philip Rivers had completed .621 percent (133) of his passes during San Diego's eight-game win streak for 1,656 yards, throwing for 14 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He was effective, but not astonishingly so against New England with 19 completions for 211 yards. "You watch then (New England) and you see teams playing them close and you think this team's got a chance," said Rivers. "It doesn't happen. I'm not insinuating I didn't think we had a chance."

Patrtiot center Dan Koppen had a monstrous job of slowing down San Diego's 350-pound-plus defensive tackle Jamal Williams. "We just needed to get the first downs and get some consistency," said Koppen. "it was one of those things where we had to stay on the field. Guys took it to heart that we needed to control the ball."

Spreading the wealth

Eight different Patriots caught passes from Brady, in the 23-degree temperature (the wind chill was 9 at game time). "This is a total team and that's what we have to do," said WR Jabar Gaffney, who caught a 12-yard TD pass in the second quarter, his lone reception. "That's the great thing about being here is that you know that at some point your number is going to get called and it's going to be up to you to make that play."

The Patriots are now 11-1 in home playoff games, the best in NFL history overtaking Green Bay (14-2)

Brady recorded his 100th overall victory, playoffs included, in which he is now 14-2 in the postseason, second only to the Packers' Bart Starr (9-1)

"As an old man I feel pretty good," chuckled Rodney Harrison. "The older you get, the more you appreciate the opportunities that you get. It's pretty special to be part of this team, 18-0 and after all the distractions and everything that was said and everything that was done with this team, to keep that focus, I'm proud of it."