"Good luck is a lazy man's estimate of a worker's success." - Anonymous
On Monday Night, the New England Patriots channeled the ghost of their former underdog selves, and rolled out of Baltimore with their undefeated streak intact. Up until that game, the 2007 NFL season has consisted of the Patriots running up scores at a record-breaking pace, with only the Colts and Eagles able to keep things close. This year has been a far cry from Brady's early days where the team would pull out victory after victory by the most dramatic of means.
"The Tuck Rule", "The Intentional Safety" - say those words to any Patriots fan and immediately a flood of memories comes rushing back. They remind us of games where everything seemed lost, but by the most bizarre set of circumstances, the Patriots managed to sneak out a win. Whether it be forcing Olindo Mare into two missed field goals in Miami, stuffing the Colts four times on 1st and Goal on the 1 yard line in Indianapolis, or Troy Brown tearing an interception out of Marlon McCree's hands last season in San Diego, the Patriots have an uncanny knack for ending games in ways which leave their fans' jaws gaping wide open.
After the gamed had ended Monday Night, the Ravens began chirping about how the referees had a hidden agenda to keep New England's undefeated streak intact. Let's forget for a moment that the games vs. the Colts and Eagles were only close because of horrendous officiating against the Patriots, which pretty much renders that theory void, and assess their claims. Where was the bad call? The Ravens were the team that called the timeout on the first stuffed 4th and 1. Matt Light clearly had a false start on the second 4th and 1 attempt. If the Patriots had managed to pick up a 1st down on either of those plays and the officials had not blown the whistle, the Ravens would have been livid. You can't have it both ways. On a later 4th down play, Benjamin Watson was unquestionably mugged in the end zone and a penalty was justly enforced. In fact, the only botched call of the game's final minutes was that offensive pass interference was not called against Baltimore on the final hail Mary play. I hardly see the grounds for a conspiracy.
As the dust settled on Tuesday morning, the general consensus around the league was that Baltimore had simply lost all semblance of composure and was making excuses. However, that didn't stop everyone from spouting on about how "lucky" the Patriots were. I'll admit that those thoughts crossed my mind as well, as certainly nothing the Patriots did caused the Ravens' offensive coordinator to call a timeout at the most inopportune time imaginable. However, looking back at the past seven years, it's clear that the New England Patriots have survived more close calls than any other team in the league. In fact, it's not even close. At some point you have to step back and consider that the Patriots' overwhelming amount of "I can't believe what I just saw!" moments doesn't boil down to mere luck. At some point it becomes clear that the Patriots win those types of games because they're able to do something there opponents are not. They keep their composure. They make the extra play. They simply refuse to quit and believe they are going to somehow come up with the victory no matter what it takes. That's why they win games, not because Tom Brady hangs a rabbit's foot in his locker. Yes, some may say it's better to be lucky than good...
But it looks to me like the Patriots have simply decided to be both.
Predictions:
NFC NORTH:
1. Packers
2. Vikings
3. Lions
4. Bears
The Packers are undeniably on top of the division, but the surging Vikings may very well overtake the floundering Lions for second place and a playoff spot.
NFC SOUTH:
1. Buccaneers
2. Saints
3. Panthers
4. Falcons
It's the Buccaneers' division and none of the other three are worth mentioning.
NFC EAST:
1. Cowboys
2. Giants
3. Eagles
4. Redskins
The Cowboys have clinched and the Giants are a near-lock for the playoffs.
NFC WEST:
1. Seahawks
2. Cardinals
3. Rams
4. 49ers
The Seahawks nearly have things wrapped up, and the Cardinals just may be the favorite to wrap up the final wildcard spot.
NFC SEEDING:
1. Cowboys
2. Packers
3. Buccaneers
4. Seahawks
5. Giants
6. Cardinals
AFC NORTH:
1. Steelers
2. Browns
3. Bengals
4. Ravens
Pittsburgh is close to wrapping things up, and the scrappy Browns are in line for a wild card spot.
AFC SOUTH:
1. Colts
2. Jaguars
3. Titans
4. Texans
The Jaguars and Colts are near-locks for the post-season. The Titans will have to give Cleveland a run for their money if they want that sixth seed.
AFC EAST:
1. Patriots
2. Bills
3. Jets
4. Dolphins
Could we see 16-0 and 0-16 out of the same division? I actually like the Dolphins' chances of going out as un-defeaters than the Patriots' of going undefeated. Meanwhile the Bills are a dark horse for the wild card, and the Jets remain completely irrelevant.
AFC WEST:
1. Chargers
2. Broncos
3. Raiders
4. Chiefs
Horrible division. The Chargers will make the playoffs by default.
AFC SEEDING:
1. Patriots
2. Colts
3. Steelers
4. Chargers
5. Jaguars
6. Browns
NFC PLAYOFFS:
Wildcard Round:
Giants over Seahawks, Buccaneers over Cardinals
Divisional Round:
Cowboys over Giants, Packers over Buccaneers
NFC Championship:
Cowboys over Packers - there's just no denying who the better team is.
AFC PLAYOFFS:
Wildcard Round:
Steelers over Browns, Jaguars over Chargers
Divisional Round:
Patriots over Jaguars, Colts over Steelers
AFC Championship:
Patriots over Colts
SUPERBOWL XLII:
Patriots over Cowboys
Could you imagine a bigger Super Bowl? 18-0 vs. 17-1, where the only loss between the two teams was when they played each other? This would certainly be the Super Bowl of Super Bowls!
