EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — No, these New England Patriots aren't those New England Patriots, the ones who won three Super Bowls in four seasons from 2001-2004. So far, it doesn't matter: They still win.

That's what they did Sunday, squandering the better part of a 24-0 lead before holding on for a 24-17 victory over the very average New York Jets.

"We know how to finish," said Tedy Bruschi, playing his first game after missing the entire exhibition season with a broken wrist.

Still, don't think that these Patriots are that "dynasty."

These Patriots right now are a team that doesn't scare people, that doesn't get them to give up and go home when they fall behind.

But they can get behind early, then come back and hang on to beat Buffalo. Or give up two quick touchdowns to the Jets and win because they had enough of a running game to play keepaway with an eight-minute drive that gave New York almost no time to mount a final rally.

That, in fact, demonstrated what is good about these Patriots, who can run, with rookie Laurence Maroney to augment Corey Dillon and keep his 31-year-old legs fresh. Dillon had 80 yards Sunday and Maroney had 65, the kind of time-consuming ground game that's hard to overcome.

What isn't so good about these Patriots are the receivers. David Givens left as a free agent (with little opposition) for Tennessee in the offseason, then Deion Branch held out through training camp and finally was traded to Seattle last week.

So Tom Brady completed just 15 passes to seven receivers Sunday, with the most, four, to good old (35) Troy Brown, who also doubles as kick returner, occasional defensive back, and — for one play in the preseason — third-string quarterback.

What also isn't so good — what else is new? — is the secondary, especially the tackling.

The Jets, trailing 24-0, got their first touchdown on a 71-yard pass play from Chad Pennington to Jerricho Cotchery on what can only be described as a miraculous receiving effort. Cotchery managed to get snagged by two Pats, fell on top of Eugene Wilson, and then got away and ran another 30 yards for a score.

But again, the Patriots, especially the defensive veterans, make plays when they have to.

It was Vrabel and Richard Seymour who sacked Pennington on third down and forced New York to settle for a field goal.