PACK, PATS PREVAIL : JAGUARS OUSTED BY FEAT OF CLAY NEW ENGLAND 20, JACKSONVILLE 6.

Byline: Frank Fitzpatrick Philadelphia Inquirer 

Suddenly, a game that lacked electricity - literally and figuratively - was illuminated with drama.

Jacksonville quarterback Mark Brunell, on his knees at the 10-yard line, buried his face in his hands. Tom Coughlin shook his head sadly, an emotional explosion for the icy-eyed Jaguars coach. And in the Foxboro Stadium end zone, beneath a red-white-and-blue heap of happiness, the Patriots' Willie ``Big Play'' Clay had earned his nickname.

Clay's interception of Brunell's second-and-goal pass, with 3 minutes and 43 seconds to play, preserved New England's frail seven-point lead. Otis Smith's 47-yard touchdown return of a Jaguars fumble 1:19 later added to it as the Patriots defeated the Jaguars 20-6 Sunday for their first AFC championship in 11 years and a berth in Super Bowl XXXI.

``To miss an opportunity like that,'' Brunell whispered of the interception, ``to stop that drive and come way with nothing. . . . That's what's hurting me now. That's what will hurt for a while.''

So the Jaguars, like their second-year expansion cousin, Carolina, saw their remarkable postseason run end in the coldest conditions they had experienced all season.

``The cold was not a big deal,'' Jaguars wide receiver Keenan McCardell said. ``We had been doing everything we needed to do the last several weeks. Today we couldn't. When we needed to make the big plays, we couldn't. Their defense, on the other hand, did. If you're looking for a story, that's it.''

The Patriots, built for offense by Bill Parcells, will be playing the Packers in New Orleans on Jan. 26 because their defense stymied Brunell's rollouts, stuffed Natrone Means and, when it mattered most, made crucial plays.

Jacksonville stifled New England's offense, too, limiting the high-octane Patriots to a relatively anemic 234 total yards. But 10 of New England's 20 points came after turnovers - including seven after Jaguars punter Bryan Barker was tackled on the 4-yard line after a bad snap on the game's fifth play.

``I kind of thought this game would be helter-skelter like it was,'' said Parcells, who will be shooting for his third NFL championship. ``These games, and I've been in a few, usually are. The weather is usually cold and it usually comes down to defense and how your special teams play.

``But we struggled on offense. We're going to have to play a whole lot better than that if we hope to compete with the Packers.''

Brunell, the NFL's passing leader, threw for only 190 yards - his second-lowest total this season. And Means, who had galloped for 315 yards in two previous playoff wins, could manage only 43 on 19 carries, although he was hampered by a first-quarter ankle sprain.

``We've been working for this for four years,'' said defensive end Willie McGinest, whose pass-rushing baffled Jacksonville tackle Tony Boselli and kept the mobile Brunell from the corners. ``But we've still got one game left. That's the big one.''

This one, though, judging by the celebration, carried considerable emotional weight for the Patriots.

Cigar smoke hung over their noisy, crowded locker room like the fog that enveloped Foxboro in last week's win over Pittsburgh. And even before this game was over, New England players were celebrating wildly on the field - much to the dismay of Parcells, who will try to become the first coach to win Super Bowls with different teams.

``We've got some wild guys on this team,'' Parcells said. ``It's all I can do to keep them under control sometimes. . . . But I'll tell you what: They worked their butts off to achieve this, so in that sense I can kind of understand it.''

Sunday's conditions were clear but cold, with a wind chill of zero at game time and with 30-mph gusts that made punting and passing a challenge.

Drew Bledsoe, the New England quarterback since Parcells ended his brief coaching exile in 1993, never looked comfortable, completing 20 of 33 passes for only 178 yards.

``If one component of a machine breaks down, the other part has to kick in,'' Patriots receiver Shawn Jefferson said. ``The defense carried us today. . . . We were lucky to get away with a victory.''

NOTEBOOK

STAT OF THE GAME

Jacksonville running back Natrone Means, one of the keys to the team's playoff run, was held to 43 yards on 19 carries.

QUOTE OF THE GAME

``We don't have a lot of big-name guys. We're just a lot of blue-collar, hard-working fellas.'' - Linebacker Ted Johnson, on the New England defense

THE HERO

Willie Clay, New England

The free safety intercepted Brunell's bullet intended for Derek Brown in the end zone with 3:43 remaining.

The Goat

Jacksonville special teams

On fourth down of their first possession, center Rich Griffith snapped the ball high to punter Bryan Barker, who couldn't get the punt off and was tackled on the 4-yard line. Two plays later, Curtis Martin scored on a 1-yard run for a 7-0 lead. Another error on special teams cost Jacksonville three more points. Chris Hudson fumbled a return and Mike Bartrum recovered at the Jaguars 19. Vinatieri kicked a 29-yard field goal.

Noteworthy

When the Lamar Hunt Trophy began its passage from hand to hand of the AFC champions, Willie McGinest took a puff on his victory cigar and handed the trophy to Bob Kraft in the Patriots locker room.

``But this isn't over,'' former USC star McGinest told the team owner. ``We've got one more to get. I think maybe then we'll cut this one up into little bits and pieces.''

Just as McGinest did Sunday to the budding football reputation of Tony Boselli. ``I came out in my mind that I was going to do the best I could,'' said McGinest, the Patriot defensive end who has become nearly unstoppable the last three games. ``I was pretty excited and I had a lot of enthusiasm, but I didn't want to get too excited.''

Who wouldn't?

SUPERBOWL XXXI

Green Bay Packer vs. New England Patriots 

Sunday, January 26, 1997

Superdome - New Orleans, Louisiana

3:18 p.m., Channel 11

CAPTION(S):

Photo, 2 Boxes

Photo: New England's Otis Smith recovers a fumble for a touchdown as Jacksonville quarterback Mark Brunell fails to make the tackle.

Associated Press

Box: (1) NOTEBOOK (see text)

(2) SUPERBOWL XXXI (see text)