New England Patriots: Five Things We Learned From 45-3 Win Over New York Jets

Wasn't the AFC East showdown between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets supposed to live up to the billing of "game of the year?"

I usually do a full post-game analysis, but looking at the stats would almost be a waste of time after the smash-mouth Jets got smashed in the mouth by the Patriots. Besides, a dominant performance by the defense proved that no matter how hard and long you look at the stats, the numbers will lie.

Ultimately, the players have to make plays when they happen, which is exactly what they did on Monday Night Football.

Every phase of the game was dominated by New England: Offense, defense, special teams and coaching. But we learned so much more than the numbers would tell.

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Home-Field Advantage Is Precious For This Team

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws a pass against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

As it has so many times in the past decade, it seems as though the road to the Super Bowl goes through New England.

No, this game didn't put a stranglehold on home field advantage throughout the playoffs, but the Patriots put their hands around the neck of it and can squeeze tighter and tighter with a few more wins.

The team improved to 6-0 at home on the season, and Tom Brady set an NFL record with his 26th straight home win, a mark that has to give them a lot of confidence heading into the playoffs. If, of course, they have home-field advantage.

Among his graceful post-game comments, Rex Ryan made sure to point out that his team wouldn't forget this drubbing, and added, "I mean, let’s face it, we kicked their butt at our place."

The difference in the scoreboard is obvious, but the Patriots simply played with a different level of confidence. Attribute it to game-planning or anything else, but playing in front of the Gillette faithful has to play a role.

Patriots Defense Is Better Than We Thought

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: (L-R) Devin McCourty #32, Brandon Spikes #55 and Vince Wilfork #75 of the New England Patriots celebrate after McCourty intercepted a pass in the third quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 i

All week long, we heard about how the Patriots defense ranked dead last against the pass.

They may have only climbed one spot on the chart with their dominant performance last night, but they sure feel like one of the better defenses in the league after shutting down the Jets offense.

Mark Sanchez and the talented group of Jets receivers were supposed to be a big mismatch for the Patriots secondary, but the only mismatch was the Jets even taking the field of Gillette Stadium. It was by far the Patriots' best defensive performance of the year.

Randy Moss Talk Can Go To Bed

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Tom Brady #12 (R) and Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots talk on the field during warms up against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Slowly but surely, the Patriots have proven the point that they don't need Randy Moss to have one of the most prolific offenses in the league.

The Patriots went another step further in putting the Moss talk to bed.

Tom Brady was accused of locking in on Moss too frequently in their first game this season, forcing two passes his way that were intercepted. Instead, Tom Brady spread the wealth as he's done so frequently this year.

The Patriots offense is the very definition of what they have strived to do for years: Make defenses respect everyone and everything. No longer can you isolate one guy with two and "force" the Patriots into small ball. They'll just do what they want to do because it all works well.

Tom Brady For MVP Talk Heats Up

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates after BenJarvus Green-Ellis #42 scored a 5-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachu

Seventeen touchdowns. No interceptions.

That's Tom Brady's stat line since Week 6, a home game against Baltimore. The numbers are nowhere near what they were in 2007, but he's playing even more efficiently than he was that season. The scary part for other teams is that he's playing better down the stretch.

The only other players who were even in the discussion before last night were Michael Vick and Philip Rivers. Michael Vick hasn't played every game and has had some unspectacular performances, and Rivers' production has slipped quite drastically over the past two weeks.

This is about as close as we've seen to perfection since 2007.

To The Patriots, All That Matters Is 60 Minutes of Football

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on after the Patriots won 45-3 against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Bill Belichick pulled the team aside late in the game for a pep talk. On WEEI Tuesday morning, Tom Brady said that Belichick's message was simple: "He said, 'Listen, this game isn't over. We're playing for 60 minutes. I don't give a [expletive] what the score is. We're playing for 60 minutes.'"

The Patriots have been caught in the trap of the scoreboard a few times this year. They coughed-up big leads against the Chargers, Steelers and Colts. Clearly, Belichick would have none of that on Monday night.

And it's likely he won't be having any of it in the playoffs, either.