Patriots 35, Jaguars 7 (12/27/09): AFC East champion New England Patriots. That's the seventh time this decade Pats fans can say that. After three Super Bowl titles and a 16-0 season that might not be too exciting for some people, but a division title is still a big deal as far as I'm concerned. And this one was the hardest one of the seven.
Whether the Pats finish 11-5 or 10-6, the verdict on this season will be decided in the month of January. The team assured a re
turn trip to the playoffs with their dominant win over Jacksonville yesterday in what was one of the more enjoyable regular season games in years. My oldest brother and his son Charlie were up from North Carolina for the holidays and I had a few extra tickets so they got to take in the tailgate experience at Gillette. They were not disappointed.
The tailgate took place in mostly rainy and windy conditions but with the help of the tent, the coffee, and the breakfast wieners and pork sandwiches we were all dry, fed, and ready for a division clincher. So were the Pats. The weather cleared as the game started and it was partly sunny and in the mid-50s. Not bad for late December. Not bad at all.
The Pats opened the game on offense looking focused and sharp. Brady drove the team to the goal line on nine plays but Maroney -- again! -- fumbled the ball. A good drive. But no points. Maroney did not get on the field again. Maybe he will wrap the ball up a little tighter from here on out. If he doesn't, Sammy Morris will. He rushed for 95 yards on 12 carries, scoring once. And veteran Fred Taylor made his return (against his old team). Hopefully Taylor will be closer to full speed when the playoffs start.
But it wasn't the running that was the story in this one. It was Tom Brady and the passing game. Brady had one of his best games in a long time, completing 23 of 26 passes and throwing four touchdowns. It was a fun display of offense to watch. And the atmosphere in the stadium was filled with the holiday spirit. The offense made big plays. The defense made big plays. The players celebrated and looked relaxed and ready for the second season. Even Randy Moss -- described by some local writers as selfish, spoiled, sour -- had fun with a fan wearing a Moss mask and wig who was shown on the video screen doing the Moss touchdown gesture. The fan would do it. Then the camera would show Moss and he would do it. Several times. The crowd cheered. Moss laughed. Everyone laughed. The crowd chanted "Ran-dy! Ran-dy!" It was one of the best moments at Gillette this year.
In two weeks the Pats will host a playoff game. Hopefully there will be some more great moments to come. If Brady and the offense play like they did yesterday there will be.
turn trip to the playoffs with their dominant win over Jacksonville yesterday in what was one of the more enjoyable regular season games in years. My oldest brother and his son Charlie were up from North Carolina for the holidays and I had a few extra tickets so they got to take in the tailgate experience at Gillette. They were not disappointed.The tailgate took place in mostly rainy and windy conditions but with the help of the tent, the coffee, and the breakfast wieners and pork sandwiches we were all dry, fed, and ready for a division clincher. So were the Pats. The weather cleared as the game started and it was partly sunny and in the mid-50s. Not bad for late December. Not bad at all.
The Pats opened the game on offense looking focused and sharp. Brady drove the team to the goal line on nine plays but Maroney -- again! -- fumbled the ball. A good drive. But no points. Maroney did not get on the field again. Maybe he will wrap the ball up a little tighter from here on out. If he doesn't, Sammy Morris will. He rushed for 95 yards on 12 carries, scoring once. And veteran Fred Taylor made his return (against his old team). Hopefully Taylor will be closer to full speed when the playoffs start.
But it wasn't the running that was the story in this one. It was Tom Brady and the passing game. Brady had one of his best games in a long time, completing 23 of 26 passes and throwing four touchdowns. It was a fun display of offense to watch. And the atmosphere in the stadium was filled with the holiday spirit. The offense made big plays. The defense made big plays. The players celebrated and looked relaxed and ready for the second season. Even Randy Moss -- described by some local writers as selfish, spoiled, sour -- had fun with a fan wearing a Moss mask and wig who was shown on the video screen doing the Moss touchdown gesture. The fan would do it. Then the camera would show Moss and he would do it. Several times. The crowd cheered. Moss laughed. Everyone laughed. The crowd chanted "Ran-dy! Ran-dy!" It was one of the best moments at Gillette this year.
In two weeks the Pats will host a playoff game. Hopefully there will be some more great moments to come. If Brady and the offense play like they did yesterday there will be.
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