What a game by New England today at Foxboro against the mighty Tampa Bay Bucs. Even with temperatures below 40°C, which historically spells a loss for Tampa in years past, and a chance to clinch the division at home in front of a boistorous crowd, an easy win was not expected. Instead, the Patriots scored a touchdown on their first possession, grabbed two quick TDs before the end of the first half, and kept quarterback Chris Simms and the Bucs’ offense off the scoreboard as they easily dominated play on both sides of the ball and won, 28-0. Tom Brady was near perfect with 3 TD passes, no INTs, and 258 yards in the air – MVP! MVP! MVP!
After a tough loss to KC on Thanksgiving weekend, the Patriots have reeled off three straight wins and are 5-1 after starting 4-4 in the first half of the season. Now its a Monday Night game against the Jets the day after Christmas followed by a season-ender at home against the Fish. Don’t look now, but perhaps reports of a Patriots demise have been greatly exaggerated. As it stands, New England will play Indianapolis at the RCA Dome in the second round of the playoffs, should they get past an opening-round matchup at home against… Jacksonville, perhaps?