Patriots Guilt
I almost feel guilty for being a Patriots fan. It's not that the Patriots are lucky (although that's certainly a factor), it's that we've been handed an embarrassment of classic games to enjoy over the last six seasons. There are certainly more deserving fanbases out there that could use some January cheer.
Last night's win over the Chargers ranks among the best, probably better than any AFC playoff win since 2001. It's certainly the best comeback since Adam Vinatieri closed old Foxboro Stadium against the Raiders in the snow.
This team reminds me a lot of the 2001 squad, right down to Tom Brady not playing particularly well all the time. The Chargers were the better team for big chunks of the game Sunday, but the Patriots played physical, stuck around, received some wacky plays in their favor and were extremely good playing situational football. The touchdown to end the first half, to make it 14-10, was the most important drive of the game. The Patriots were getting crushed but only trailed by four on the scoreboard.
Their offense was overmatched by San Diego for over 50 minutes - the last two minutes of the first half, and the last six minutes of the game were the exception. Give the Chargers defense credit for getting Brady so off his game. The Patriots defense had no real answer for LaDainian Tomlinson, but made stops when they needed them the most, like when they tied the game late in the fourth quarter.
It's hard for the Patriots to play the 'underdog' card after three Super Bowl wins, but it's the role they are most comfortable in. It's in their team DNA. The oddsmakers did them a favor by making the Colts three point favorites for the AFC Championship.
The Colts present even more matchup problems for New England than San Diego did, and winning twice in a row on the road is difficult in the playoffs. This is also a much different and better Colts team than the Patriots have beaten in AFC playoffs past. I predicted a Colts victory over New England in the AFC Championship a few weeks back, and a very small part of me would feel bad for Tony Dungy if he was turned away again. Then I'm reminded that Bill Polian and his evil son Chris still run the Colts.
I'll be busy today with our baseball magazine wrapping up, so the blog could be quiet. Evan Silva will be on Marty-watch tonight on Rotoworld if nothing comes down during the afternoon.
