It's Better all the Time

Great job commenting on Sunday's game Krager and mrbandw, I couldn't have put it any better myself. The Pats have certainly given us reason to believe that they might actually win a 3rd superbowl in a row. Of course I say that with gaurded optimism. It could be easy to discount the Bucs in Sunday's game because 1- it was their 3rd road game in a row 2- the franchise historically plays poor in the cold 3-Gruden was outcoached bya long shot 4-they play in the NFC. The NFC competition is pathetic. Does anyone doubt that the team that wins the AFC will be favored in and probably win the SB?
The Pats and Bengals playing well and the Indy loss to me just signifies that it's any team's conference to win. BUT there is no clear cut favorite because there are no 'test' games for these teams until the actual playoffs begin. That being said, who would you rather have coaching in the playoffs than Belichick? Who would you rather have at QB than Brady? How much more playoff experience does this team have over say, Cincy? SD? Denver? KC? It seems that, though vulnerable, the Pats have a lot going for them heading into these playoffs. The Pats could still end up as high as 3rd seed if Cincy loses it's final 2 and Pats win final 2. I'd rather be 4th and host J'ville than 3rd and host SD or Pitt or KC.

Here's the Stats:
Category Pats at 4-4 Pats Now
Rush yds allowed 128.9 (27th) 99.4 (6th)
Point allowed 27.5 (30th) 20.6 (19th)
3rd down O 35.6% (22nd) 41.8% (7th)
35+ pass plays 10 in 8 gms 5 in 6 gms
Red zone D 19TDs in 28 trips 5TD's in 15 trips

TOM BRADY

"They (the Pats) have the best QB in the league." -John Gruden

"That QB (Brady) is unbelievable. That throw he made on the 3rd play of the game, I mean, I don't know who makes that throw. An absolute perfect throw." - Monte Kiffin, Bucs D coordinator.

Peter King in Monday Morning QB talking about the same throw and the one before half where Brady got face masked and still completed the pass to Dwight, "Now, let's say 90% of the passers in football are playing the bucs on this day. I say the vast majority of the QB's in football have their team up 3-0 at the 2 inute warning. Not New England. Not with Brady. New England, 14-0." And further, "...it's a tribute to his consistent greatness that a 65%, 258 yd, 3 TD, no pick performance against the NFL's #2 Defense was barely discussed after the game."

Ronde Barber, Bucs CB after the game on Tom Brady:
"What we saw today, was a living legend."

You gotta figure, as long as he's playing, the Pats have a shot a the three-peat.