New England Patriots Go 16-0!!!

Wow, that was one heck of an amazing game to watch. I don't have cable, but thanks to my rabbit ears being reliable (for a change), I was able to watch this history-making game in its entirety, in my Tom Brady jersey. For those haters of the Patriots, I think you'd be hard pressed to argue that they are a one trick pony. These guys can win and do win any way possible. The final score was 38-35 for New England, over the New York Giants (now 10-6), but the game was even closer than that. My wife, before going to bed in the third quarter, predicted that New England was on its way to its first loss. And she had reason to think that: they were down 12 points (think it was 28-16 at that point), their biggest deficit this season, with the momentum on New York's side.]]

But just like the Baltimore game this season where New England pulled it out at the end (though barely - that was an utterly weird game with likely some very questionable calls by the refs), the Philadelphia game, where it was very close, and the Indiannapolis game, where once again, New England came out after trailing with only minutes left, I believe this team is destined to win the Super Bowl this year. I've watched the Patriots play since Tom Brady took over from Drew Bledsoe and turned the Patriots into champions. Behind the arm of Brady, who tonight set the NFL most touchdown passes in the season with 50, passing Peyton Manning (who set the record in 2004), Randy Moss, setting his own record, passing Jerry Rice with 23 touchdown catches this season, the Patriots setting a team record for most points scored in one season (beating the previous record by the Vikings) and of course, the 16-0 record, which puts them in the same company as the 1972 Miami Dolphins (who were 14-0 for that season, and ended up going perfect, winning the Superbowl).

Tonight's game had it all - a fierce attack by the Giants, who behind Eli Manning's four TD passes, gave the Patriots likely their toughest challenge all season. The Patriots' running game was crap at the beginning but Brady managed to get some key third down conversions. They scored TDs on the running game, in the air (Brady to Moss on both), and through field goals (3). My favourite play of the game was the personal record setting TD pass from Brady to Moss. Just before that play, Brady threw an identical pass to Moss which Moss dropped. Who would have though he would have heaved it again for something like 65 yards for the TD. Brady ended up with 356 yards (I forget the stat on pass completition but it was very, very good).

So now New England has the records, and has a first-round bye in the playoffs. Everyone is expecting the Patriots to Play the Colts in the Conference Championships, and I'd think that that is an accurate prediction. But the Patriots likely will play either Jacksonville or Pittsburgh in the second round, and those teams are both tough. I'd probably be more worried about Jacksonville. But remember, the Patriots, a few games ago, guaranteed home field advantage throughout the playoffs, so their opponents have a slight disadvantage in playing in Gillette Field in Foxborough, particularly if it starts to snow (this will likely prove problematic for the Colts, who play in a comfortable domed stadium all year). I, of course, hope that the Colts get kicked out in the first round, but that is probably unlikely - up to today (Saturday), the Colts are 13-2 this season, with the only losses coming to Baltimore (I believe) and of course, New England. However, in following the results all year, I have noticed that the Colts have squeaked by several games, against weak opponents. And they have played without Pro Bowler Marvin Harrison for much of the year. I think they'll give the Patriots a lot to handle, but believe that the Patriots will come out on top and will be ready for Peyton Manning and company.

Now, a prediction. Almost everyone is picking Dallas to make it to the NFC Championship game and likely play Green Bay for the right to go to the Superbowl, and these same people have picked Dallas to prevail. I'm not so sure about this. Sure, Dallas won against Green Bay a few weeks ago, but don't forget that Brett Favre was injured in that game. Tony Romo has also shown that he can have some pretty bad games (probably due to youth and inexperience). I predict a Green Bay / New England Superbowl, but you never know, as there are a lot of dark horses in the playoffs (ie. I think San Diego may be a surprise, despite the inconsistencies of Philip Rivers).

This is going to be a great NFL playoff period. Let's hope that the Patriots run the table in the playoffs and show to all that they are perhaps the best team that has ever played in the NFL.

Go Pats go!!!!