FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots are taking an extra day to relax and enjoy their dominant performance that clinched the AFC East title.
Coach Bill Belichick gave his players the day off Monday, one day after their 35-7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Patriots next game will be Sunday's regular-season finale at Houston against the Texans, and Belichick isn't saying how much his starters will play.
He said Monday he hadn't given that any thought but that the decision will be based on what's best for the team. The Patriots don't know their first-round opponent yet. The game will be at home Jan. 9 or 10, so they may have only five days between Sunday's game and their playoff opener.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
