Stats on Pats Weekly - "Pats Put Browns Back in the Dog House, 34-17 "
Article by Raleigh Dugal, southcoast247.com correspondent
I was only half-wrong when I said that Cleveland would put up a decent fight against a New England team that might, just maybe, be looking ahead at Dallas and the Colts, the only two proven studs on their schedule this year. With about six minutes left, Cinderella Man Derek Anderson pulled the Browns within just ten points of the Pats, which is more than Super Bowl wannabe San Diego can boast about. Granted, Anderson gave up three picks (two to LB
Junior Seau, who waved the ball around like a grade schooler playing two-hand touch), but that only makes the fact that the former dullest team in football could stick around with the vaunted Patriots offense so long more impressive. So my shank count is a tentative 2.
Former Patriots LB Willie McGinnest shows Bill Belichick some man love
Realistically, New England didn't look so great. They went just 2-12 on third down and were stuffed on a fourth down attempt. Randy Moss looked non-existent, and in true Patriots fashion Tom Brady aired it out to other targets. But I have a growing fear that Moss's prolific feats could become a bit of a crutch, and when a worthier team finally musters up the D to blank him the Patriots might get caught with their pants down. A crucial stat: the Pats' defense mounted three sacks and a whole lot of knockdowns on Anderson while Brady's boys kept his jersey clean for another week.
Beleaguered fantasy owners are sure to be happy WR Donte Stallworth finally found the end zone, though TE Benjamin Watson was the real hero with 107 yds receiving and two TDs. RB Sammy Morris logged another 100+ yard performance, sparking silly radio debates about a backfield controversy when Maroney's groin heals. Get real guys.
While the national media is slavering over the showdown with Dallas, I think we're in for some anticlimax. Here's why: 1) They are in the NFC, which stands for the Not really Football league. 2) Two weeks ago, the limping Rams managed to cling to hope for a half. This Monday they squeaked by perennial loser Buffalo with a 52 yard field goal in the closing seconds of the game. Dallas will have a big-game hangover with a short rest, while New England will be tying up all the loose ends they caught while scrimmaging against the ambitious Browns. Tony Romo will get pasted a few times and the Pats will win 38-17.
I was only half-wrong when I said that Cleveland would put up a decent fight against a New England team that might, just maybe, be looking ahead at Dallas and the Colts, the only two proven studs on their schedule this year. With about six minutes left, Cinderella Man Derek Anderson pulled the Browns within just ten points of the Pats, which is more than Super Bowl wannabe San Diego can boast about. Granted, Anderson gave up three picks (two to LB
Junior Seau, who waved the ball around like a grade schooler playing two-hand touch), but that only makes the fact that the former dullest team in football could stick around with the vaunted Patriots offense so long more impressive. So my shank count is a tentative 2.
