"Laurence Maroney hasn't spent much time this season ducking would-be tacklers. He didn't duck from responsibility, either.

The Patriots running back addressed his fumble on the goal line last week against the Jaguars, making no excuses and saying the blame belongs squarely on his shoulders. And he didn't find fault in coach Bill Belichick's decision to bench him afterward.

"It was a bad fumble," said Maroney, who wound up with 22 yards on just four carries. "I can't point the finger at nobody but myself. I got careless on the goal line and everything deserves a consequence. My consequence was sitting on the sidelines the whole game."

It was Maroney's fourth fumble of the season after having just one in his previous two seasons. While the former first-round pick has been solid, gaining 757 yards on 194 carries with a career-high nine touchdowns, his ball security issues have marred his season.

"I know I've been running hard, and I feel like I've been playing great," Maroney said. "To go out there and get a second shot would definitely be great. No matter what happens, I'll be out there rooting my team on to victory.""