FOXBORO - So much for "The Blueprint."

The copycat league has tried 18 times, since the first weekend of September, to beat the Patriots. And 18 times the opposition has left the field after facing New England with their collective tails between their legs, like San Diego did last night.

The Patriots are headed to their fourth Super Bowl in seven years after their convincing 21-12 win in the AFC Championship last night at Gillette Stadium.

"The Blueprint" talk started in October, when people figured the New England weather - cold, rain, snow and, of course, wind - would eventually ground the newest version of "Greatest Show on Turf."

Then, sometime in late November, some kinks in their armor were "seen." This time the old fogies on defense, headlined by middle linebackers Junior Seau and Tedy Bruschi, would run out of gas.

Recently, though, it was more of a reach. "They" figured that beating the Patriots came down to beating Tom Brady. Forcing several miscues, which hadn't happened in five months. And for good measure, you needed to shut down Randy Moss, basically keeping him out of the end zone.

Well, Brady finally gave in last night - throwing three bad interceptions - a week after playing "The Perfect Game" against the Jaguars (26-for-28, 3 TDs). And Moss (1 catch) virtually disappeared into the Chargers' double-team scheme.

But nothing has changed in the win-loss column. The Patriots are bound for their fourth Super Bowl in seven years.

"I've been playing these guys a lot over the years. They really haven't changed in that they do whatever it takes to win," said Chargers receiver Chris Chambers, who played against the Patriots a dozen times while with the Miami Dolphins.

"As we saw tonight they have so many weapons. If you're asking me for the blueprint, I don't know what it is."

This should not be a shock to the system. The last Super Bowl victory for the Patriots in 2004 included a 20-3 win over the Colts, the best offensive team in the NFL, followed by a 41-27 thrashing over the best defense in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The only difference this season is these Patriots are better.

"They are a great football team and they've won every one of their games," said Chargers coach Norv Turner. "What can you say about that? That's a complete team. They play great defense, great situational defense. They can run the football - that's always forgotten when you look at them because of everything they've done."

Turner couldn't be more right.

The Patriots' reliance on Laurence Maroney the last month or so proved to be a charm. You remember that ugly, rainy game against the New York Jets, an unimpressive 20-10 win?

Maroney ran the ball a career-high 26 times that day for 104 yards. It wasn't a Jim Brown imitation, but it proved a point. The Patriots can run the ball. Including that game, Maroney has averaged 110 yards on the ground and scored six touchdowns, including a 1-yarder last night.

It really doesn't matter. It really has never mattered since Bill Belichick and Tom Brady shared the leadership of this franchise in 2001. The weather, the grass (fake or real) and the fact that there might be a roof over their heads doesn't matter.

Patriots safety and defensive leader Rodney Harrison held court at his locker after the game and he basically simplified everything and summed it all up for America.

"We don't panic," he said. "We have guys here that can play under pressure. You guys say we have old players. I say it's experienced players. I know that when I look to my left, I see the best cornerback in the league, Asante Samuel. And I look at linebacker and I see Junior (Seau) and Tedy (Bruschi). I trust those guys will make plays when we need them."

So how do you beat the Patriots?

"You have to play perfect," said Merriman. "And to be honest, that's really hard to do against them."

Now it's the Green Bay Packers' or New York Giants' turn two weeks from now in Phoenix where the conditions - weather and field - will probably be nothing short of perfect.

"In perfect weather?" said Chambers. "That could be scary. I don't know if there is a blueprint for that."

You can e-mail Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.