EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Bill Belichick was excited.

No kidding, he really was.

Which shows you just how big a deal it was that the Patriots beat the Giants, 38-35, Saturday night and became the first team in NFL history to go 16-0 in the regular season.

"That was some way to finish the season," Belichick said. "It is really exciting to be a part of this football team.

"We feel good about what we've accomplished. Pretty soon, we're going to have to turn the page and move on, but I am happy for the players. You work all year to try and win every game, and to win them all is great. I'm very happy about it."

Joy was evident throughout the New England locker room Saturday night at Giants Stadium.

"It's been a special year," said wide receiver Wes Welker, who, in his first season with the Patriots, set a franchise record by catching 112 passes. "It means a great deal. We talked about playing winning football one game at a time, and that is what we've done so far, and what we need to continue to do."

"We always got everyone's best shot," said veteran defensive end Richard Seymour. "I think that is what makes it so special.

"It wasn't something we talked about a whole lot. It was great to do it. I don't know how to put it in perspective at this point. It's something that, when you walk away from the game one day, you will be able to look back upon and say: 'That was a special team.' It's great to be among the elite."

But there's no looking back for the Patriots now. Instead, they'll be focusing on their AFC semifinal playoff game two weeks from now at Gillette Stadium.

"The only thing we can do with it being a historical season," said record-setting wide receiver Randy Moss, "is enjoy it for 24, or more than 48, hours. We have a tough game in the second round of the playoffs. There's no telling who we're going to play, but you know it's the playoffs and anything can happen. It's one game at a time and, if you lose, you're out.

"Like I said, I think we can enjoy this for what we've accomplished for no more than 48 hours, then we get down to the nitty-gritty and get ready for the playoffs."