Brady, Moss lead Pats past Chargers

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots proved they don’t need to spy to win. A few brilliant offseason acquisitions are more than enough.

The Patriots routed the San Diego Chargers 38-14 Sunday night as Tom Brady threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns and got three TDs from players picked up last spring: Randy Moss with two receptions and Adalius Thomas, with a 65-yard interception return.

The victory came three days after the NFL fined Patriots coach Bill Belichick $500,000, the team another $250,000 and took away what is almost sure to be a first-round draft choice.

“At times it was challenging but they stayed focused,” Belichick said of his players, alluding to a week in which almost every question involved the confiscation of a spy camera during last week’s win over the Jets.

He also thanked the fans who cheered him when he walked on the field – uncharacteristically, he waved to them in acknowledgment. And he thanked owner Robert Kraft, who was critical of him in remarks made at halftime during a television interview.

“I want to thank the fans for their support,” he said. “I definitely felt that from the time I walked on the field. We’ve got great fans and we’ve got a great owner. He’s been awesome all week in a tough situation.”

The way the Patriots played Sunday night, they didn’t need Belichick’s spying against a San Diego team that finished 14-2 last season but lost to New England 24-21 in its first playoff game.

Moss had eight receptions for 105 yards and 23- and 24-yard TD catches.