FOXBORO, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- The New England Patriots' defense continues to bury people.
Cornerback Tyrone Poole had two interceptions in the fourth quarter that set up touchdowns as the Patriots extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 27-13 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, in a contest played in a driving snowstorm in the second half.
With their defense continuing to dominate, the Patriots (12-2) remained tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for the NFL's best record while moving a step closer to gaining home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
"I think it's such an advantage when it's snowing because we've played in this, we practice in it," Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said. That's part of the home-field advantage."
Poole made the game's biggest plays with his interceptions of rookie Byron Leftwich that helped turn a close game into a 27-6 lead.
"Just like all young quarterbacks, they have a tendency to zero in on where they're throwing the ball," Poole said. "It kind of helps as a defensive player when you play against a guy like that because now you get a chance to get a jump on where he's throwing the ball."
It looked like the Patriots were on their way to not allowing a touchdown at home for the fifth straight game. But Leftwich spoiled that bid with a three-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Johnson with under four minutes remaining.
"I just think I made two mistakes," Leftwich said. "The whole second half came down to two mistakes and I think us not taking care of our opportunities early in the first half really hurt us."
Seth Marler kicked a pair of field goals in the first half for the Jaguars (4-10).
The Patriots were clinging to a 13-6 lead, when Poole turned around the game on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Poole stepped in front of a pass intended for Jimmy Smith and came down with an interception and returned the ball 17 yards to the Jacksonville 35.
The big play by Poole set up Brady's 10-yard touchdown pass to Troy Brown with 10:57 remaining, giving the Patriots a 20-6 lead. Brady completed 22-of-34 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns.
After a three-and-out, Poole came up big again. This time, he intercepted Leftwich along the right sideline and raced 50 yards before being tackled from behind at the Jacksonville 3.
Working against Bill Belichick's complex defensive scheme, Leftwich went 21-of-40 for 288 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
"They did some things, I don't know if I haven't seen it before, but they do a lot of things," Leftwich said. "When you play a 3-4 defense, you can bring guys from just about anywhere, and they did their fair share of that."
