It was over when...
Tom Brady stepped off the plane from Los Angeles. After missing a couple of days of practice following the birth of his son, the Patriots' QB shook off the rust early, leading New England to a touchdown on an 80-yard, 18-play first quarter drive that ate 9:43 off the clock. He finished 17-of-22 for 167 yards and two touchdowns.
Game balls
Patriots fullback Heath Evans carried the ball seven times for 58 yards and caught two passes for 19 yards, including one for a touchdown. Keary Colbert provided the only offensive spark for the Panthers. Colbert took a short pass from quarterback Delhomme with 43 seconds remaining in the first half and scampered 48 yards for a touchdown -- the only one of the game for Carolina.
Noteworthy
The kicking games hurt both teams. New England's Stephen Gostkowski went 1-for-3, missing from 53 and 46 yards, while the Panthers' John Kasay had kicks from 49 and 43 yards blocked.
