Reasons To Believe

A Patriots regular season unlike most Patriots regular seasons is in the books and now that it's over it seems, well, a little more familiar than we had any reason to expect just two weeks ago. AFC East champs. First round playoff bye…

So, you're telling me there's a chance?

Why Did It Have To Be The Jets?

To paraphrase Indiana Jones: The Jets. Why did it have to be the Jets?

Buckle Up

The last two weeks have reminded me once again why the fans of the Other 31 hate Patriots fans.

Only a Pats fan could look at 9-5-0 and see Rock Bottom.

Admit it fellow Pats fans. Two weeks ago you were wondering what you were going to do on Super Bowl Sunday. Go see a movie with the wife and kids? Clean out the basement? Sit alone, weeping, in a darkened room?

Today? Your pigskin heroes are 10-5-0 and (thanks to a Texans' loss) back in the 2nd seed with a wildcard-round bye if they can win at home next Sunday against the Jets. You're chuckling inside at the longshot possibility the Patriots could still get the #1 seed and home field throughout the playoffs and renewing the long-term lease the Patriots hold in the heads of football fans west of the Connecticut River. That probably won't happen but as long as they beat the Jets, the Patriots will secure a playoff bye for the ninth season in a row.

That's right. Playing wild card weekend is rock bottom for Patriots fans.

Yeah. That's why they hate us.

Getting Better

The best thing about the Thursday night win? The Patriots haven't come close to touching their ceiling yet.

Quarters

If you're a Patriots fan, this was the best Monday of the season. This Monday was so good I carried it all the way into Tuesday. Big win to cleanse the pigskin palate following two tough, underseasoned losses. Edelman back from his 4-game suspension. Yeah, it's a short week but the Pats hold the advantage of hosting the Thursday night game. The Colts, on the other hand, are a team had to play into overtime on Sunday (extra wear and tear) and less time to prep (travel). Plus, we hates the Colts, for their role as Tartuffe in the Deflategate farce.

Testing Mettle

I've been staring at it all week. 1-2-0 vs. 3-0-0. There was something strange about it. Something that made me wonder, am I awake or dreaming? Had I slipped into an alternate universe? What did it mean? It was like every day this week was Monday and I was driving to work without any pants and when I got into the office only I seemed to realize something was wrong. I may be older and I was never Brad Pitt but I'd still like people to notice when I'm not wearing pants.

When Nothing Makes Sense

The Patriots are doomed.