JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Dec. 24 (UPI) -- A 27-yard touchdown run by Laurence Maroney with 4:36 left ensured New England's 24-21 win at Jacksonville.
New England's halftime lead was just 10-7.
Tom Brady passed for one touchdown and 249 yards; Corey Dillon ran for one touchdown; David Thomas caught Brady's touchdown pass in the third quarter and made five receptions for 83 yards; while the Patriots improved to 11-4 to claim their fourth straight AFC East title.
Maurice Jones-Drew ran for two touchdowns and 131 yards; David Garrard went 17-for-23 for one touchdown and 195 yards; and Matt Jones caught Garrard's touchdown pass in the fourth quarter and made four catches for 69 yards for the Jaguars (8-7), whose playoff hopes took a severe hit after their second straight setback.
Jones-Drew tied an NFL rookie record with a rushing touchdown in his seventh straight game.
