My Inner Child is a Weakling and a Coward

Last Sunday, the Patriots had a chance to essentially clinch the AFC East. A win would’ve given them a sweep of the Jets. Combined with the Dolphins’ loss at home to the Bills, New England would’ve sat atop the division at 6-1-0 with Miami bringing their 3-game losing streak to Foxborough. Instead, I’ve spent the week enduring pigskin pundits and bobbleheads renewing their love affair with Sexy Rexy and scratching my head over comparisons of Geno Smith to Steve Young.

Seriously?

Will Patriots Nation look back on the loss to the Jets and see it as a turning point in a championship season? Or will it come to be seen as the beginning of the inevitable end of the Belichick-Brady era? A lot depends on today's game.

Trade Winds

It’s accepted wisdom the NFL trade deadline is designed to prevent trades; it’s simply too early for teams that are failing to admit they’ve given up. This season may be a little different. The rash of injuries to key players and the relatively large number of “have nots” have some of us dreaming of a mid-season fix.

The Minor Fall

I suspect some pretty important plot points will be revealed this weekend. As usual, not all of the news is good.

Somebody Feels Worse Than You (If That Makes You Feel Any Better)

Some losses are tougher than others. The Jets in OT certainly qualifies. Playing without four week 1 starters on defense and still coming so close only to fall short? Yeah, that hurts. Getting Gronk back and losing. That stings like the honeybee. Getting Gronk back and not losing Gronk to another injury? That was okay.

I’m turning the page.

It’s all about Miami now.

Questionable

Gronk flew with the team to NYC.

He’s playing.

Walk the Walk

Losing Big Vince for the season was bad enough. Losing Wilfork and Jerod Mayo? That’s just cruel.

That Happened

Color me giddy. It’s the one right next to atomic tangerine.