Mind the gap

WEEK 8
Just three minutes into today's game, Rams quarterback Sam Bradford let a bomb go deep down the middle of the field and 50 yards later it landed gently in the hands of Chris Givens who was -- of course -- a step behind safeties Tavon Wilson and Devin McCourty. Touchdown. It looked just like the end of the Seattle game. Not even the most optimistic Pats fan (me) could deny at that moment that the team was in trouble.

Tom Brady knew it too. He came out and responded, leading the offense on a quick and impressive eight-play drive that ended with him hitting Brandon Lloyd on a perfect corner pattern to tie the game. Brady was more fired up than usual as he smashed helmets after the drive. Brady knew it.

The offense scored touchdowns on its first five drives on the way to a 45-7 blowout in merry old England. And after giving up that early touchdown, the defense had its best game in years. The Pats head into the break at 5-3 with a chance to get healthy and get ready for a second half loaded with home games. The team could be in a better position if they hadn't let leads against the Ravens and Seahawks slip away, but all considered they are in a pretty good spot to battle Baltimore and Denver for the second seed.

Many in the Blabosphere will spend the next two weeks reminding everyone that the Rams aren't that good. That would be the same blabbers who were warning everyone that the Rams should not be taken lightly. That's what makes this win so encouraging. Just like the opener against a decent Tennessee team. If the Pats are truly one of the best teams in the league -- and they are -- then they should be able to dominate the lesser teams. Not always. But more often than not. That's the sign of a real contender. The gap between most NFL teams is not that great. But the gap between the contenders and the rest of the league is bigger. When one of the better teams plays up to its capabilities the lesser opponent really doesn't stand much of chance. As they say in London ... mind the gap.

The Pats get a week off and then play back-to-back home games against Buffalo and Indy. Two more teams that are decent but should not be able to stay with Brady and the Pats -- if Brady and the Pats play like they did today.

Time to enjoy the bye week. No Pats game next week? Hello, Red Zone. Here I come.