The Patriots: Simply perfect
Santa got me a wonderful present this year: the Patriots completing the first ever 16-0 season in the National Football League. I have to give the Giants a lot of credit. Not only did they not rest their starters, but they played with a lot of intensity. I expected this to be a close game because, as I said before, the Patriots always get the other team's best. Plus, the Giants have great pass rushers and a tough run game, which tends to give the Patriots trouble.
I was pretty disappointed in the Patriots' defense. The red zone defense that has been so great the past three games was pretty lousy today. They also gave up some big plays to Burress that shouldn't have happened. If the Patriots lost the game, it would have been because of the defense. However, Ellis Hobbs came up with a huge interception that the Patriots turned into 7, which ended up being the most important score of the game. In the end, the Patriots set several records:
- Patriots: Only team to finish 16-0.
- Patriots: Most points in a season (589)
- Patriots: Most consecutive regular season victories (19)
- Brady: Most touchdown passes in a season (50)
- Moss: Most touchdown catches in a season (23)
It's also worth mentioning that Wes Welker shattered the Patriots single season receptions record previously held by Troy Brown (101 receptions), ending the season with 112 receptions.
What excited me about this win the most was that they were down by 12 in the third quarter and managed to score 15 unanswered points to win by three. For everyone who says the Patriots can't play from behind, keep that in mind.
Every season I've always repeated this to myself: no one goes 16-0 and no one goes 0-16. I guess I was half wrong. Of course, none of this means anything if a Super Bowl championship doesn't follow. I'm still crossing my fingers that we don't have to play Jacksonville in two weeks, but I'm really looking forward to the playoffs.
Thanks, Santa.
