They lifted a broken nation to its feet by pulling off the biggest
upset in Super Bowl history. They then survived the highest scoring
4th quarter in Super Bowl history. The next year, they silenced the
biggest mouth in Super Bowl history and created a dynasty.
The won 21 consecutive games. They threw for 50 touchdowns and
caught for 23. The boasted the highest scoring offense ever. They
bested the 72' Miami Dolphins and made it to 18-0.
They felt
the sting of 18-1. The bore the shame of a scandal. They paid the
highest penalty the league has ever issued. They heard the snap of a
leader's ACL. The felt numbing reality of a stroke.
Along the way they knocked out co-League MVP's in consecutive
playoff games, brought the "tuck rule" to life, won a game by an
intentional safety, had their offense play defense, had their defense
play offense, and, twice, defeated a 15-1 team on the road in the
playoffs. They received the highest of praise, yet at the same time
were indefensibly under-rated and overlooked.
No team has ever had a decade like the New England Patriots. Even
if the Steelers claim a third title or the Colts pass them for the most
wins, the first ten years of this millennium will be defined by Bill
Belichick, Tom Brady, and the boys from Foxboro. Nothing that could
possibly happen this season will change that. The first nine chapters
of the history books are inked and bound. The verdict has been
rendered.
You would think that looking back on that unmatched list of
accomplishments, the New England Patriots would be content. Yet if you
thought that, then you obviously missed the point of what those
accomplishments represent. This is the final season of their decade,
and this is the only season that matters. The past has been forgotten,
the future is ignored. The only thing on the minds of the 53 men
wearing New England's jersey is the here and now. Over the next
sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen games, Patriots will have the
opportunity to add to their legacy by shattering more records,
pummeling more contenders, and silencing more doubters. But in the
end, their singular goal is February 7th, 2010 in Miami, Florida -
winning title #4 at Super Bowl 44 and ending their reign as champions.
The clock is winding down. The curtain is about to drop. It's the final
dance. It's the last call.
Nothing else matters.
Playoff Predictions:
Once
again it's time for my annual playoff predictions where I try to
achieve the ever-elusive goal of correctly prognosticating the twelve
playoff teams. In today's unpredictable NFL, it's a nearly impossible
task. In the seven years that I've been attempting this, the best I've
ever done is get eight correct. Most years, the results are
laughable. Last season I managed to churn out a respectable .500
performance that clearly would have been seven correct had Tom Brady
played more than half a quarter last year.
Just in case you've been keeping track, here's the results from past years...
I'm not biting on the Bears pre-season hype, and I'm
ceeeeeeeeeeeeertainly not buying in on the Brett Favre hype. That
leave shte Lions or the Packers to win the division. Easiest decision
ever.
NFC SOUTH:
1. Panthers
2. Saints
3. Falcons
4. Buccaneers
The Panthers are the team that always messes me up. You can guarantee
that they'll do the opposite of whatever I pick them to do. There's no
getting around it. They may very well be the singular reason I never
get to 12/12. That being said, I'm also not buying the Falcons hype,
and don't trust the Saint or the Buccs to do much damage this year.
NFC EAST:
1. Giants
2. Cowboys
3. Eagles
4. Redskins
I think the Giants are for real. I want to think that the Eagles
will implode, but my gut tells me otherwise. I don't know what to
think about Dallas. This is a brutal division to pick.
NFC WEST:
1. Seahawks
2. Cardinals
3. 49ers
4. Rams
I think Seattle will reclaim its perch of dominance atop the AFC West.
Teams generally don't recover well from crushing Super Bowl losses, and
that was a crushing Super Bowl loss for Arizona.
NFC SEEDING:
1. Giants
2. Panthers
3. Seahawks
4. Packers
5. Cowboys
6. Bears
I could be wrong about the Falcons. The Cardinals may bounce back
fine. The Cowboys are an enigma. Bottom line: I feel very shakey
about these calls.
AFC NORTH:
1. Steelers
2. Ravens
3. Bengals
4. Browns
You're pretty much never wrong for picking the Steelers to win the AFC North It's money in the bank.
AFC SOUTH:
1. Colts
2. Titans
3. Texans
4. Jaguars
There's rumblings of the Texans in the playoffs. I'll believe it when
I see it. Until then, this is a two-team race and I dont' see Indy
giving up the top spot twice in a row.
AFC EAST:
1. Patriots
2. Dolphins
3. Bills
4. Jets
I'm calling it now. The Patriots go 6-0 in the division.
AFC WEST:
1. Chargers
2. Chiefs
3. Broncos
4. Raiders
The Chargers are in the playoffs by default. Now let's see if they can
make it in this year AND go over .500. Pathetic. I say that they make
a rule where if no team in a division goes at least 9-7 then we go to a
third wild-card. Who would be against this?
AFC SEEDING:
1. Patriots
2. Steelers
3. Colts
4. Chargers
5. Titans
6. Ravens
Forget about the AFC West. Are the Browns and Bengals pulling out
a surprise? Can Houston claim a wild card spot with four games agains
Tennessee and Indy? Do I even hint at validating the fallacy that was
the 2008 Dolphins by putting them back in the post-season? My top five
are a lock. By process of elimination, Baltimre gets the sixth seed.
Observations:
Returning playoff teams from last season - 7: Giants, Panthers, Steelers, Colts, Chargers, Titans, Ravens
Non-returning playoff teams from last season - 5: Eagles, Falcons, Cardinals, Vikings, Dolphins
New playoff teams - 5: Seahawks, Packers, Cowboys, Bears, Patriots
