Patriots resume quest for perfection

By Larry Fine

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The unbeaten New England Patriots continue their quest for perfection this weekend as the top-seeded teams join the NFL playoffs.

The Patriots, second-ranked Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers return after first-round byes for the divisional round of playoffs that will determine match-ups for the following week's conference championships.

Quarterback Tom Brady, who set an NFL mark with 50 touchdown passes in the league's highest scoring team ever, will try and lead the Patriots to their 17th win of the season when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars (12-5) on Saturday.

The other AFC playoff tilt pits defending Super Bowl champion Colts (13-3) and quarterback Peyton Manning against visiting San Diego Chargers (12-5) on Sunday.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who took advantage of the bye to vacation at a Mexico resort with actress Jessica Simpson, said he needed a holiday escape before getting ready to face division rival New York Giants.

"Part of the reason I got away last weekend was just because I don't feel sometimes that I get to be on my own when I am in certain places," Romo told reporters.

"It was nice to go there and just rent a house and just sit around and ... not have to worry about answering my phone or worry about tickets, or radio shows or TV things, and just the normal everyday things."

Dallas (13-3) beat the Giants (11-6) twice during the regular season, blowing open close games in the second half.