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!!!!

New England Patriots Vs. Indianapolis Colts - November 4, 2007

I'm generally not a big NFL fan (prefer the CFL), but I've been a fan of Tom Brady since the Patriots drafted him from Michigan many years ago. I have several of Brady's rookie cards and am pleased to see that they have escalated in value with his three Super Bowl rings, MVP awards, etc. I've also enjoyed watching the Patriots play - just an all around good team that is coached well. I try to catch Patriots games whenever they are on the tube, even though I don't have cable. Worse case, I follow the live play action on the internet.

Earlier today, the high-scoring, offensive powerhouse Patriots, which went into today's game 8-0 for the reason, played the defending SuperBowl champion Indianapolis Colts, 7-0, in a game that many touted as the game of the century. I thought that was a bit much, but it was a highly anticipated game nonetheless. The Patriots have steamrolled over their opponents this year thus far, scoring at least 34 or so in each of the eight games they have played. They have scored on every single initial drive and Brady, going into today's game, has 30 touchdown passes already in less than half the season. The Colts' Peyton Manning currently holds the single-season record of most TD passes in one year with something like 49 (which was only set a couple of years ago when he broke Dan Marino's record).

I tried to buy a live NFL feed for the game, but I couldn't get it working due to technical problems, so I had already made arrangements to go to my Dad's place to watch the game. My wife and son wanted to come too, and so after I donned my official Tom Brady home jersey, we jumped into the car and headed over to my Dad and Mom's place, about 45 minutes away.

After watching the remnants of the Buffalo/Cincinati game, we settled into my Dad's very short couch and watched the commencement of the "game of the century". While I do not wish for this entry to be a play-by-play analysis of the game, I'd like to offer a few generalized thoughts on the matchup.

The Colts fans were already making excuses before the game started, saying that if they lost, it was because Marvin Harrison wasn't dressed and his replacement Anthony Gonzales got injured early. I'm sure it may have been a slight factor, but I doubt that there would have been much of a different outcome had they played, and here's why. By the way, the Patriots won 24-20, coming from behind, in a nailbiting finish.

First, I have to say that the officiating was TERRIBLE, even though the Patriots won. The first thing I said to my wife was "that head referee is really young". I believe it was his first game as a game referee (I believe he was a linesman before). The Patriots were penalized for 150+ yards in penalties. If you watch their games you will see that this is very abnormal. But let's look at a few of these calls.

First, the Pats' coach Bill Bilicheck correctly challenged one of the early plays in which the refs called a Colts player as in bounds, when one of his feet was clearly out of bounds. Video replays showed otherwise.

Also, the Colts were charged with pass interference twice early on. Both cost them significant yardage with the Colts gaining something like 35 to 50 yards per penalty, each putting them under the 10 yard line of the Patriots. Even the commentators on the game cannot figure out how the second one of those was pass interference - in fact, on replay, the Colts defender was clearly the one doing the interfering, wrapping his arms around Randy Moss the whole time. There was another pass interference against Moss later. I remember after a few calls, I said to my wife, "every single freaking call is going against the Patriots!" And it continued. It was laughable.

There were a number of calls where the Patriots were interfered with, but nothing was called.

Imagine, getting this many penalties, and the Patriots still won! And given the fact that the refs were obviously on the take from the Colts, as well as the fact that the Patriots were playing in absolutely hostile conditions at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, that makes the victory even more impressive.

Tom Brady was a bit shaky at first, being sacked on his first possession. He also threw two interceptions this game (all season, he has only thrown one). He relied on the running game heavily which, I remarked to my wife, puzzled me greatly, since Brady's been on fire with the passing game (they scored 52 on the Redskins last week). Now, I agree that Brady can't just long-bomb everything since the Colts defence is very good. But for three quarters plus, the only Patriots touchdown came in the first quarter. But by the fourth quarter, Brady picked it up and made some pivotal passes (to Randy Moss and Wes Welker) to get critical yardage in order to set up two touchdown scores within four minutes in the fourth quarter. Moss was awesome in the game, with the pinnacle of that being that absolutely stunning one-handed catch he made (look for it on youtube or something - it was an insane catch in the midst of defenders - he caught the ball on the end with his full arm extended in midair and somehow managed to corral it into his body before he got hit. Absolutely stunning catch that was again a critical one).

The Patriots defence were able to put immense pressure on Manning in the fourth, getting a pick and forcing a critical fumble.

24-20 did reflect how close the game was, but boy, they should put in officials that don't have such a clear bias towards the Colts. As it stands right now, the Colts and Pats will more than likely meet in the AFC Conference Championship game in January, and it's a good bet that the Patriots will be holding a perfect 16-0 season record (based on what I see as their upcoming opponents for the last seven remaining games). I'm pretty sure this time, the Pats aren't going to be charged with 10 penalties/almost 150 yards (unless the same refs are used). I can't wait!