Patriots-Jaguars Quasi Live Blog, First Quarter

Let me start this off by saying that I think the Jags have come off as total pussies (what? it's a cat reference) by playing games with the whole asterisk thing on their Web site. Honestly, if you are going to come in and be the trash talking heel thing, don't back down. If they somehow manage to win this game *and* talk trash before it, that would be the most memorable game in their history. Even if they went on to win the Super Bowl.

MoJo on the opening kickoff had no option but to sit on the ball. A bad sign for the visitors!

Taylor for 5; 15 more of those would be fun to watch. Marcedes Lewis pulls in an easy throw for big yards, A 3-yard loss by Fred is a problem, as this offense can't be in too many obvious throwing downs. Garrad finds Northcutt in the flat for 8 on a throw that took forever, and could have been jumped -- something to keep an eye on for later. Simms, having no clue, is talking about how the Jags have changed field position. Not sure he's actually watched any Patriots games this year, really.

Mojo is short on third and three, and from the Patriots 43, del Rio rolls the dice and goes for it. On a rollout where he could have kept it for the first, Garrard decides instead to swing for the fences, and he finds Lewis again for 34 yards. That's a game-changer right there, assuming this one stays close late.

Fred for a yard, and the crowd is quiet, but it's New England -- the crowd is always quiet, because they're spoiled beyond human imagination. CBS flashes a graphic of how the Pats have not allowed opening drive points in any prior Belichick playoff game, and Garrard throws it away on second down. On the third down, Garrard shows major cojones by hitting Matt Jones while falling for the touchdown. A replay shows he might have been down, and I'm expecting a review and Huge Patriot Break... but it doesn't happen. 7-0 Jags.

The first play of the Patriots drive is a sack, and all Jacksonville needs to do is convince the NFL to stop the game now and declare them victors. Brady recovers to drive the Pats down the field, with the biggest play being a 4th and 4 ball to Moss that gets them 15. It's Maroney, Gaffney, then Watson to complete things, and the big problem for Jacksonville is that Brady looks absolutely bored while doing it. He's 5 for 5 on the drive, with Watson getting the touchdown.

I realize that CBS is probably thrilled that this game looks tight and tough, but it's hard to imagine the Jags' offense staying at this level. The Patriots? Not so much.

Taylor can't make a man miss, and it's 2nd and 10. Pats show blitz, and Garard hits Northcutt easily for 19. In an empty backfield, Garrard gets bumped and drops the ball, and just that quickly, the Pats are smelling blood at the Jag 30.

Pass, run, pass to Faulk, and the Pats are content to nibble like piranhas. From the 11 on second and 1, Maroney gets hammered, forcing a third down. If the Jags really want to win this game, making a big play here would be highly advisable. It doesn't happen, as Maroney drives it all the way to the 1, and if he's going to do that, the Pats aren't ever going to lose. From the 1, the Jags stop Maroney again, and that's the quarter. 7-7 tie.