| Patriots 24, Chargers 0
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - Randy Moss and Adalius Thomas showed why the Patriots are even more powerful with them on their team.
Moss caught his second scoring pass of the season and Thomas returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown, leading New England to a 24-0 halftime lead over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday night.
Moss, obtained from Oakland in a trade on the first day of the draft, caught one of Tom Brady's two touchdown passes, a 23-yarder. He finished the half with six catches for 66 yards one week after catching nine for 183 yards in his Patriots debut.
Thomas, the former Baltimore linebacker who was one of the top free-agent prizes, proved the versatility he was known for by stepping in front of intended receiver Malcom Floyd in the right flat, picking off Philip Rivers' pass and easily outracing the Chargers to the end zone.
It was a marquee matchup between two of last season's best teams, but the Patriots (1-0) didn't need the videocamera that was confiscated from video assistant Matt Estrella during their 38-14 win the previous Sunday at the New York Jets. The NFL decided that violated league rules and penalized the Patriots on Thursday.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick was fined $500,000 and the club $250,000. They also will lose a first-round draft pick next year if they make the playoffs, or a second- and third-rounder if they don't.
Fans gave Belichick a loud ovation when he was introduced before the game and, out of character for the stone-faced coach, he waved to them. After being fined, Belichick said he wouldn't use a videocamera on the sidelines.
The big early lead - and the need to throw to get back in the game - deprived the Chargers of the best use of their top offensive player, running back LaDainian Tomlinson. He ran 11 times for 37 yards in the first half. A week earlier, he gained 25 yards on 17 carries but ran for one touchdown and passed for another in a 14-3 win over Chicago.
The game was a rematch of last season's playoff won by New England 24-21 in San Diego. The Chargers had the NFL's best record at 14-2.
The Patriots went ahead 7-0 after Brady's 7-yard scoring pass to Benjamin Watson on their first possession on which he completed six of seven passes. They wasted a scoring chance on their second possession when Stephen Gostkowski missed a 41-yard field goal after Rosevelt Colvin's interception.
Moss scored on the next drive when he easily split two defenders up the right side. He had six catches for 66 yards in the half.
Gostkowski made it 17-0 with a 24-yard field goal.
Another turnover ruined the Chargers' third series when Colvin sacked Philip Rivers, forcing a fumble, and Vince Wilfork recovered at the Patriots 44.
In the first half, Brady was 17-for-23 for 193 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, while Philip Rivers was 6-for-10 for 63 yards and two interceptions.
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