Vrabel leads Patriots past Jets

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New England Patriots came up with a headline-grabber for ABC's final Monday night football game: Mike Vrabel, star receiver.

A linebacker who has made frequent productive appearances on offense for New England, Vrabel had two short touchdown receptions, lifting the two-time NFL champions past the befuddled New York Jets 31-21.

Vrabel provided a unique touch to a game with little distinction other than its standing as the network's final Monday night broadcast, ending a 35-year run that began with a 31-21 Jets loss.

Nice symmetry.

Otherwise, it was a routine performance by the AFC East champion Patriots (10-5) as they tune up for the playoffs. Even Vrabel making like Jerry Rice wasn't entirely out of character — he has eight TD catches, three this season, which is tied for second on the Pats.

Not that the Jets (3-12) seemed to know how dangerous Vrabel can be as he slipped behind David Barrett for scores of 1 and 2 yards in New England's fourth straight victory and sixth in a row over the Jets. Vrabel also had a sack, making him the first player with two TDs and a sack in a game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

The Patriots have won 18 of their last 19 games after Dec. 1 and are hitting stride while seeking an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl crown.

In brisk winds, Tom Brady, the league's leading passer, guided a ball-control offense that had an absurd edge in yardage (321-171) and time of possession and time of possession (43:21). He went over 4,000 yards passing for the first time in his superb 6-year career.

Corey Dillon had two 1-yard runs and New England converted four fourth-down plays.

The only negative for the Patriots was a left leg injury to linebacker Tedy Bruschi late iive march of 74 yards and 15 plays took up 9:24 of the third quarter, with Dillon getting his second TD. Adam Vinatieri added a 26-yard field goal.

Next year, the Monday night telecast moves to ESPN, while NBC takes over the showcase event, but on Sunday nights. The Jets played in ABC's first Monday night feature on Sept. 21, 1970, losing at Cleveland. They closed out the series with no more success.

Laveranues Coles caught an 11-yard TD pass on fourth down early in the fourth quarter for New York, which otherwise looked very much like a contender for the first overall draft choice. With one game remaining, the Jets are one of four teams with 12 losses. Only Houston has 13.

In the final minutes, the NFL's two oldest quarterbacks, 43-year-old Doug Flutie of the Patriots and 42-year-old Vinny Testaverde of the Jets, made token appearances. Testaverde's 27-yard TD pass to Coles closed the scoring and made him the only quarterback to throw for a touchdown in 19 straight seasons.

Meadowlands authorities banned the sale of beer in the stadium after several incidents of unruly fan conduct when the Jets lost a Sunday night game to New Orleans on Nov. 27. Late in the game, one Jets fan held up a "We Want Beer" sign. He came up as empty as his team.