Pats fans have much to be grateful for. An unequalled season from Brady. A receiving corps that is the deepest in NFL history. The offense may be based on the pass, but Faulk, Maroney & Co. have contributed many of their 1,557 yards just when needed.
Turnovers are rare. Records are falling. The Defense is the 4th best in the NFL.
Patriots fans are cranked up and over-the-top. New England is thinking all-Patriots, all-the-time.
It’s not going to happen, it’s not going to happen, it’s not going to happen.
That’s what I’ve been repeating for the last 6 weeks. And with good reason. If you remember the 1985 Bears, you’ll recall how invinceable they looked before they went down. The Bears were scary-good in a way the Patriots could never be. Those Bears had a defense that destroyed everything in its path with style and a smile.
I did not expect the Patriots to get this far. A little bad luck like a a high ankle sprain to you-know-who is all that it would take to give the Pats their first defeat.
But they are here. They win big. They win the close ones. They are unlikely to lose this Sunday against a Giant team that has already clinched a playoff spot. And once they reach the post-season, they won’t lose because they know they’ll be preparing their place in History next to the ’72 Dolphins.
You know they’ll find a way to win it all. If they get past the Giants.
It all comes down to Brady staying in the game. There is zero depth behind Brady — with Matt Cassel and Matt Gutierrez . The two Matt’s have garnered nearly no NFL experience since leaving USC and Idaho State, respectively.
Cassel spent all of his time at USC as a backup behind Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart.
Gutierrez led Idaho State to a 1-7 record after transferring from Michigan, where he tore a labrum.
The ’72 Dolphins had Earl Morrall.
One head-rattling sack and the Pats could suddenly have the same offensive efficiency as the Chicago Bears.
Tom Brady has missed ZERO games since week #2 of the 2001 season. ZERO absences in his first 7 seasons. By comparison, Dan Marino missed 4 games, and Joe Montana missed 9 in their first 7 years.
Is the injury clock ticking on Tom ? He is almost too good to be true. Here’s hoping he keeps his streak going and rises above all the physical shots he is taking. You may have noticed, he’s been getting whacked. The Giants have 42 sacks and three players high among the league leaders. Brady’s demise is the opposition’s most viable blueprint for victory. He is the target.
We’ll all be watching for the record breaking touchdown passes. But the story of the season could be seen by watching how Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Dan Kopen, Stephen Neal, and Nick Kaczur protect their Q.B. against Strahan, Umenyiora and Tuck.
At home at fenway 