FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Who knew? All Laurence Maroney needed to get going was snow on the ground.

Maroney hit the hole hard on his first three runs, each better than the one before.

The first two, he struck forward without delay. On the third, a 45-yard TD, he hesitated just a bit but looked decisive as he ran, and ORG Stephen Neal cleared Titans OLB Keith Bulluck out of the play.

It was the longest offensive play of the season for the Patriots.

Even though the weather is bad, you almost could hear the faint echo of "FINALLY!" from Pats fans who have panned Maroney's herky-jerky, indecsive running style all season until now.