An early feast

WEEK 11
Patriots 59, Colts 24 (11/18/'12): When it comes to tailgating, every day is Thanksgiving.

Although the holiday wasn't till later in the week (Did someone say there's a Pats game that night, too?), the turkey fryer was put into action in the Enchanted Forest. Not for turkey. There'll be plenty of that later. This time it was used to make rotini for pasta bolognese with sausage. The portable stove was also fired up for the garlic bread. What's better than a crisp, November day for a little Italian feast? Nothing.

And what's better than a crisp, November day for a Pats blowout of the Colts at Gillette? Nothing.

In a battle of 6-3 teams, the Pats showed why they have been near the top of the NFL for a decade and why the Colts are still a team in rebuilding mode. Although it sure didn't look like that at the end of the first quarter as rookie phenom Andrew Luck had his team ahead 14-7, engineering two scoring drives on his team's first two possessions. Luck opened with a seven-play, 80-yard drive and followed that up with 10-play, 84-yard drive. The Pats secondary didn't look any better with new cornerback Aqib Talib making his first start. Not any better at all.

That all changed in the second quarter, a second quarter that could be looked at as a turning point in the regular season. If the Pats continued to let the Colts have their way with them and lost at home to fall to 6-4, they could be fighting for their playoff lives down the stretch. And that's what makes Belichick's teams as good as they are. When those moments arrive, they very often respond. Julian Edelman -- who had a monster day that should quiet most of those who questioned why Belichick was trying to use him more -- returned a punt for 68 yards and caught a touchdown pass. He finished with more than 200 total yards. A Troy Brown-like performance. Brady had another MVP game, throwing for 331 yards, three touchdowns, and no picks. There are a lot of solid MVP candidates this year (Luck being one), but is there really anyone who should be ranked ahead of Brady? 21 touchdowns and only three picks with an offensive line that has not been healthy all year. He has a great group of talent around him, but Brady -- like Big Vince on the other side of the ball -- is the one who elevates everyone else's game. That is the definition of an MVP.

It was another outstanding day for the offense, but it also turned into a very good day for the defense as well. After giving up touchdowns on the first two drives, the D only allowed Luck and the Colts 10 more points. Not only that, the defense scored two touchdowns. Rookie Alfonzo Dennard -- who seems about to take over for Arrington if he hasn't already -- returned a pick 87 yards for a touchdown. Talib, who had his ups and downs in his first game as a Patriot, had one very big up with a sensational 59-yard interception return that came right after Edelman's kick return. Luck did throw for more than 300 yards (I guess that's just a given against the Pats D), but the defense kept pressure on him and forced four more turnovers. It wasn't perfect, but it was good enough. And that's what the team needs from the defense.

It was an entertaining home game that included lots of big plays and the return of Billy (his son's football team's great season sadly over) to the tailgate. That meant everything seafood, including scallops wrapped in bacon. A great day of football and food. I'll be ready for a lot more of both in just a few days.