New England Patriots: Back With A Vengeance

Win, or prepare for a month of ridicule. Win, or be embarrassed for losing a once solid division lead. Win, or lose your confidence and your prestige. Believe it or not, all of these things are on the line for the Patriots this week against the Bills. Some are questioning whether star players such as Randy Moss are putting forth any effort. Many are inquiring the skills and worth of “bust” RB Laurence Maroney. Fans are wondering if Brady is going to return to the form of 2007. The Pats are now at 8-5 and a one game lead in the division. The Patriots need to make a statement to the rest of the NFL saying, “We’re still the best.” In the past, I have laden my articles with stats and player evaluations; but not this week. After Belichick proclaimed, “Stats are for losers. Final scores are for winners.” I must listen to my head coach and follow suit. No stats, because they don’t matter in this game. This game is about dignity. This game is about work ethic. This game is about proving that we are still capable of blowing out teams that are worse than us.

The Patriots have recently been playing some of the flattest, lifeless, and empty football I have ever seen. Last week against the Panthers, the New England sideline was still and silent. The only activity came from Brady patrolling the benches, shouting, and motivating his team. After a few trips back and forth, Brady sat down and reviewed plays. He was trying to do everything he could to make sure his team won. Alongside him was the resilient Wes Welker. Welker and Brady made the second half a two man offensive show. Without Brady’s leadership and Welker’s tenacity, the Patriots are 7-6.

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This week, even after missing several practices, Brady is set to start. He is suffering from injuries to his right ring finger and rib cage. Brady serves as the team’s QB, main motivator, and most reliable asset. There is no “I” in “Team” for Brady, just a “We” in “Winners”. Brady and Welker should be acknowledged as the two toughest players from week 14. Their performances lost among the records broken by Brandon Marshall and LaDainian Tomlinson; the continued perfection of New Orleans and Indianapolis; the disappointments that are Pittsburgh and Dallas. The crowd at Foxboro was given a demonstration last week. A demonstration of what it means to be a Patriot. A demonstration of what it means win. A demonstration of why we play the games. The Bills are a team that an energized Patriots team should beat easily. Even in light of recent performances by the Pats, I am sticking with Belichick. Stats are for losers. Patriots take the game, 21-10, and win one on the road.

By Matt Williams
ProFootball-fans.com New England Patriots Correspondent