FOXBORO, Mass. - Jack Del Rio knows the difference between his Jacksonville Jaguars and the New England Patriots.

He knows why the Pats are going to the AFC Championship Game, following a 31-20 victory over the Jags, and his team is going home.

"Unfortunately," Del Rio said, "Tom [Brady] didn't slip on the way to work today."

What was even more unfortunate, from the standpoint of Del Rio and the Jaguars, was that Brady didn't slip up at all on the field, completing 26 of 28 passes for three touchdowns.

"He played lights out," Del Rio said. "He was very, very good today. I mean, he's been great all year, but he was patient today.

"We made him be patient. We didn't give him a lot of things over the top. He was very patient, willing to take the short stuff, nibble a little bit.

"[The Patriots] are executing very well, and they have a quarterback who knows exactly what he wants to do, where his problems are, and what his answers are."

In the end, the Jags had no answer for Brady, who set an NFL record this season by throwing 50 touchdown passes.

"Tom's doing such a nice job, understanding where you're trying to come," Del Rio said, "that the ball comes out and it's hard to get there. They're operating at a high level."

-JIM DONALDSON