Patriots lumber past Jets, Continue perfect trend 14-0

The Patriots prevailed through the miserable conditions at Gillette and beat the Jets today 20-10. The Jets tried to mount a comeback late in the second half, but a Gostkowski FG from 34 yards out and a game ending sack of Pennington sealed the victory. Special teams were key on the day with a 1st quarter touchdown (via interception) coming off a punt that pinned the Jets inside their own 5 and a Maroney TD run set up by a blocked punt. Similarly, the Jets scored their touchdown on a blocked punt. Instead of testing their passing game in spite of the foul weather, the Patriots were satisfied to pound out the running game [with good results]. Maroney accumulated 104 yards on 26 carries and helped dispossess the Jets.

This game proved a few things. The most obvious thing, that no matter what Smerlas and DeOssie say on the Big Show, foul weather does, in fact, hamper the Patriots Offensive luster. Brady's subpar performance was evidence of that. Not that there is anything to really worry about. After all, the running game is not bad at all. Maroney and Faulk are especially capable backs, it's just the proficiency of the passing attack with Brady, Moss and Welker which makes a run-game obsolete...in fair conditions. With the change in weather, the Patriots adjusted early and started handing it off with the line and Maroney responding in turn. The Pats running game is analogous to other teams' passing game. The Pats set up the run with the pass...where as the norm is the other way around. The Pats' opponents are so keyed in on stopping Welker and Moss that the Pats can spread the ball around by handing it off. The defense is so geared for play-action that the run game has a chance to unfold. Perfect for the offense going into the postseason.

Can't say anything bad about the Pats D today. Pennington threw the ball perfectly on a few drives, threading the needle on a few sideline passes and delivering the ball into the lap of a few unsuspecting Jets. With the exception of the first QB option and two 3rd quarter Brad Smith QB runs, I never felt that the Defense lost control; bend-but-not-break, the prevalent mantra. I can't get enough of Seau shooting the gap and making tackles for loss in the backfield. Didn't he pull his bicep doing his patented celebratory punch? Probably not, but intensity of the punch makes me nervous that he may! Adalius Thomas had a dominant game. He was making tackles all over the field.

I'm glad they miked up the worthless postgame coaches handshake. Belichick had a unnerving smile which for the life of me, I could not understand, considering the situation. I would think he would try to act as civil as possible (which he did) but his over the top glee was a little unnecessary considering how inevitable this victory seemed. [Maybe not for him?] The meeting was uneventful and thankfully will not be used as fodder for the national media Belichick feeding frenzy. Can we get over this unnecessary hatred of Belichick. The guy is supposed to be a football coach, not some kind of saint.

Interesting to note some things that Simms had to say today about Spygate. "If the league acted sooner, it would not have received the national attention that it did." The voice of reason is a little late on this issue, but better late than never considering the Pats are nearing a perfect season. Nance and Simms as usual, called a pretty good game for CBS.

Is anyone else tired of Rachel Ray's Dunkin' Donuts commercials? "Delish!" Enough! I was never one to get on the RachelRaySucks.com bandwagon, especially after she began to get national attention with her 30 Minute Meals, but her whoring for Dunkin' Donuts is a little upsetting. I heard on the set making those commercials that after the wrap, she barked out, "Somebody get this shit out of my hands, and get me a starbucks latte!"

More comments on other games... Has anyone heard of a plow in Cleveland today? There was atleast a foot of snow on the field and you could not even see the yard markers. How could Lewis have ~150 yards on the ground and the Browns only score 8? Odd. And how about the heads-up move by Brian Westbrook in the Eagles victory over Dallas in the late game. Running in for a touchdown, he stops and goes down at the Dallas' 1 yard line. By preventing Dallas from getting the ball back, he wins the game for his team. 1) Who has the presence to stop while running into the endzone to intentionally go down, to keep the possession alive and keep it away from the other team? 2) What other player would willfully sacrifice a sure touchdown by intentionally going down at the 1? Not many.