"Laurence Maroney has heard the tales. Inside the Louisiana Superdome on "Monday Night Football," the Patriots running back won't be surprised to find an emotion- and alcohol-charged atmosphere from the Saints fans.

He's expecting to find an unfriendly fan, or 70,000 of them. Yet as the Patriots search for their first meaningful road victory, he doesn't mind.

"All the booing and loud stuff really doesn't get to me," Maroney said. "Sometimes, that actually helps me. There's nothing better than when a whole stadium is rooting against you wanting you to fail and you still play a good game. (You're like), 'Man, how can I get this crowd to be quiet?' Just make plays . . . One play silences the whole dome."

With the undefeated Saints looming, the Patriots are hoping for their second road victory of the season.

There have been chances. They led the Jets in the Meadowlands at the half, controlled the game until the fourth quarter in Denver and led by 17 at Indianapolis."