Swamp thing

WEEK 2
Score one for Rex Ryan. Jets 16, Patriots 9. From my view on the couch it was a case of missed opportunities in the first half that really killed the Pats. They dominated in time of possession (18 mins-11 mins) but three times had to settle for field goals deep in NY territory. Give credit to the Jets D which hasn't allowed a touchdown yet in two games. Their defense looks playoff caliber at this point. If the Pats score a touchdown on just one of those drives its a different game. Cash in on two and its a romp. But Tom Brady missed some open receivers at the goal line and they only put up 9 first half points despite carrying the play.

Why? That will be the question asked all week. Is Brady gun shy because of his injury? Is he still trying to shake the rust off from a year away from the game? Or was it just one of those games that every team/QB have now and then. Remember, Brady hadn't lost a regular season game since '06 and the Pats hadn't lost in the swamps of the Meadowlands since 2000. Sometimes you are just due to lose.

The Jets were bringing pressure most of the game but Brady often had enough time to plant and get a throw off. At least it looked that way from my couch. It might have looked a little different from Brady's perspective. That is what separates Brady (and all the great QBs), the ability to stand in the pocket that extra second or two giving the receiver a chance to get a step on the defender. Some of it is fearlessness, some of it is the presence of mind to know you have that extra second. It's like Cam Neely or other great goal scorers in NHL history. The game moves slower for them and they know they have that extra second to look before they shoot.

Yesterday, much like in the first half of the Buffalo game, Brady didn't take that extra second. He was often throwing off balance when it looked like he didn't have to and his passes were off the mark. Not far off the mark but just off enough. The O line actually seemed to do a solid job in protection. Brady got roughed up a bit but you have to expect that from a Rex Ryan defense. (A side question: Is it me or does Tom Brady take an extra hit/push on almost every play and never a yellow flag flies. Not that I'm calling for flags on those plays. It's the NFL, the QB is going to get hit. But watching the highlights of yesterday's games there were several roughing the passer calls that were no worse than some of the hits Brady took yesterday after he let go of the ball. It's like defensive pass interference. The officiating is so inconsistent on these plays from crew to crew that it can be maddening.)

Brady got knocked around by the Jets, but there were a lot of makeable plays. Especially in the first half when the Pats could have taken control of the game while the Jets offense sputtered. But like the Buffalo game, the Pats just didn't take advantage. And in the second half the Jets did. Ryan's speed-dialing of season ticket holders paid off, although it took till the second half. If the Pats had cashed in early, he would have ran up a big phone bill with very little to show for it.

A lot will be made of this game -- at least for a week. The Jets smacked the Pats in the mouth and got away with it. What's wrong with the offense? The Jets have locked up the division! That's what happens in today's 24/7 sports world. Everything is analysed within an inch of its life and as a fan you get sick of listening to it. But it all means nothing. Last year, if I remember correctly, the Brett Favre-led Jets beat the Patriots in that wild overtime game in Foxborough and then beat the previously undefeated Titans the next week to go to 8-3. There were a lot of people ready to hand the Jets the AFC East title right then and there in Week 11. They only won one more game and finished third. And that was in Week 11. This is Week 2.

I went to the U2 concert at Gillette and looked up at the three championship flags. I remembered in those three seasons there were games just like the Jets game where the Pats looked confused and average. In each of those seasons they rebounded with huge victories. Of course this is a different team. Every season is different. But I'm already looking forward to Matt Ryan and the Falcons coming to Gillette next week. I think the Pats will be ready.