LiveBlog: Jaguars-Patriots, first quarter

Chris Littmann breaks down the ongoing action of the Jaguars-Patriots AFC Division Playoff matchup:
(Refresh page for the latest updates)
End of the first quarter
Laurence Maroney is stopped and the teams will switch ends.
:37
The Patriots are better at everything than just about everyone -- that’s just how you end up 16-0 -- but they’re particularly good at just beating teams on what they give them. That’s why you’re seeing a heavy dose of the ground game and short passes with Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk.
4:10
The Jaguars’ offensive line does a great job of picking up Rodney Harrison’s blitz and David Garrard capitalizes with a 19-yard completion, but as I’m typing my praise of Garrard, he fumbles on the next play. Ty Warren makes the hit and Mike Vrabel recovers the ball. The Patriots start at the Jacksonville 29.
[img=http://i.tsn.com/i/photos/20080112/85645.jpg]
5:01
Give Tom Brady that much time, and he’ll find someone for a touchdown. Benjamin Watson is the recipient of this 3-yard touchdown pass to tie the game 7-7. Fellow Sporting News blogger Chris Mottram points out Brady made a hitchhiker-type motion before the throw, as if it signal what side the ball was going to. Oh, and if you’re keeping track, Brady was 5-for-5 to five different receivers on the drive.
7:30
And there’s the conversion on fourth-and-4. Brady hits Randy Moss, moving New England to the Jacksonville 26. I’m keeping a close eye on the Jaguars’ pass rush. Perhaps that’s why we’re seeing more ground game from New England, keeping the Jaguars’ rushers honest.
8:19
On third-and-2 the Patriots run? Really? The team that throws when they’re up by four touchdowns? Doesn’t matter, they’re going for it.
10:50
The Patriots have never allowed first-drive points under Bill Belichick in the postseason. That run is over. What an absolutely outstanding pass from Garrard to Matt Jones. Bill Belichick elects to not challenge the play -- or perhaps just doesn’t get the challenge on time -- and the Jaguars take an early 7-0 lead.
12:02
Turns out, Garrard doesn’t just do it on third down. The fourth down bootleg call turns into a 34-yard strike to Marcedes Lewis. You aren’t going to beat these Patriots by being timid and I absolutely love the guts of Jack Del Rio to go there.
12:10
For the record, I love going for it.
14:00 remaining
After a nice gain on first down, David Garrard hits Marcedes Lewis. Lewis slips a tackler and turns the play into a 23-yard gain. Good to see Jacksonville is willing to go away from the ground game and take the passes the Patriots will give them.
Pregame thoughts
I’ve had the chance to live blog two of the Patriots’ bigger games this season -- the Cowboys and the Colts -- and both times I wasn’t sure how a team would beat them. I’m still not sure. It will take some combination of Patriots turnovers and long, grinding drives from the Jaguars’ ground game. Add in a turnover-free day from David Garrard along with continued third-down accuracy and there’s always a chance for an upset ... right? The Jaguars will get the first crack at it, receiving the kickoff.
Injury report
No surprise inactives for tonight’s game. John Henderson is a go for the Jaguars.↵