Week 7 rewind

Just win, baby. That was the philosophy of the late Al Davis, one of the most important and entertaining figures in the history of the current NFL. Just win, baby.

I couldn't agree more. And that's exactly what the Patriots did at home Sunday against the Jets. It wasn't always pretty, but it was a win. And a very entertaining win. That falls into the "good" category every time in my book. The Blabosphere can warn us that this Patriots team is fatally flawed. And they may prove to be right. But at the moment, what the Pats are is 4-3 and in first place in the AFC East.

Just win, baby.

GOOD

• Finally ... a clutch win. After letting games against the Ravens and Seahawks slip through their fingers the Pats almost did it again. But they didn't. Down by three with 1:37 left, Brady led the offense on a clutch game-tying drive. And then did it again in overtime for the win. And the defense finished the game with a stop. All good.
• The win over the Jets makes the Pats 2-0 in the division. They are 0-2 against the NFC and 0-1 against the Ravens. But other than their overall record the most important column in the standings the rest of the way is record in the division. Win those games and the division is yours.
• The sack/fumble forced at the end of the game was a rare appearance for the pass rush. Cunningham got through his block and forced Sanchez back and Ninko came in for the kill. The Pats had four sacks in the game but Sanchez often had lots of time. With Jones, Cunningham, Ninko, and the linebackers the Pats should be able to get more of a rush. Maybe they just need to release the hounds.
• Who says Gostkowski can't make a clutch kick with the game on the line? Before Sunday, lots of people. Not anymore. Gosty made a 43-yarder as time expired to tie the game and then hit a 48-yarder in overtime. Both were nailed. And his kickoffs continue to be among the deepest in the league.

BAD

• Injuries have become a concern. And not just the ones that are keeping guys like starting safeties Chung and Gregory out of games completely. Hernandez is back but clearly still limping. As is Gronk. As is Welker. As is... The team needs the bye week bad.
• The pass defense continues to be a concern. Will things get better if/when Chung and Gregory return? You have to think so. But after Mark Sanchez threw for 328 yards -- almost twice what he had been averaging -- it is clear that the pass defense has not improved from last year.

The Patriots head to London for a game against the 3-4 Rams. Before the season I thought this would be an easy one. Not anymore. There will be lots of talk about the NFL trying to make the sport international blah blah blah blah blah. It's all nonsense. What really matters is the Pats need this one to get to 5-3 heading into their bye week. A loss to another NFC team would be very, very bad.