Patriots in a squeaker over Eagles

Whether the defensive blueprint conjured up by Philadelphia coordinator Jim Johnson on Sunday night turns out to be a game plan adopted by the rest of New England’s opponents, or becomes just another flawed strategy against the NFL’s most lethal offense and its assault on the record book, remains to be seen.

But to Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker, who helped to scuttle the Eagles’ upset plans, there was one primary reason why Johnson’s terrific template ultimately failed to staunch the Patriots on their seemingly inexorable march toward the league’s first 16-0 regular season.

“You’re not going to fool [quarterback] Tom Brady, that’s all there is to it,” said Welker, who had 13 receptions for 149 yards in the Patriots’ 31-28 comeback victory that stretched New England’s unblemished record to 11-0. “As much as you try, it’s not going to happen. Tom is simply too good and too smart … and that’s the bottom line.”