What a Sunday. The Patriots rebounded from their tough loss in Denver with a monster 59-0 win at home over the surprisingly hapless Titans, a game that set nine franchise records and as well as two NFL marks (biggest halftime lead and most touchdowns in a single quarter). Brady was magnificent, throwing six touchdown passes, including three to Randy Moss. Actually, come to think of it, there's almost nothing the team didn't do well. Much-doubted running back Laurence Maroney had a huge day, rumbling for 123 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, his best performance in more than a year. The defense caused 5 turnovers, allowed zero points, and permitted negative seven passing yards during the game. The Titans ran a total of seven plays on New England's half of the field on the day, and four of them were fumbles (three recovered by the Patriots). Moss and Wes Welker each had well over 100 yards receiving, and the Patriots outgained their opponents on the day 614-186. It was, in short, a total domination.
And it was exactly what this team needed. At 3-2 coming into the game, the Patriots were playing competitively but being dogged for failing to pull together big plays. Critics were waiting for them to step up and show some force. And what a way to put those concerns to rest. Though the Pats of course never trailed in the game, there was nevertheless a turning point: a 40-yard flea flicker touchdown pass from Brady to Moss that served notice that this team still has some swagger in its step. And the win put the Patriots at 4-2, in the lead in the AFC East.
But of course, the Pats couldn't be alone at the top without some help from the suddenly imploding New York Jets, who dropped their third straight game this week, this time a truly ugly overtime loss to the bottom-dwelling Bills at the Meadowlands. This Bills team, coming off an abysmal 6-3 loss to the lowly Browns, was in full self-destruct mode. Dick Jauron was looking like the next fired coach in the NFL (a distinction which now belongs to Washington's Jim Zorn), and trade rumors about wide receiver Terrell Owens were beginning to swirl. Not only that, the Bills lost their starting QB, Trent Edwards, early in the 2nd quarter. And with an offensive line comprised almost entirely of rookies, Buffalo looked to be in for a long day. But Mark Sanchez had other plans.
San-chise threw no fewer than five interceptions, needing overtime to cross 100 total passing yards, and only getting there because Bills kicker Rian Lindell missed a potential game-winning 46-yard field goal as time expired in regulation. The Jets were effective on the ground, with Thomas Jones breaking off two huge runs, one for a touchdown, on his way to over 200 total yards. But it was not enough, not with Sanchez having his second meltdown in three games. They just kept on giving the ball back to the Bills, time after time. Even backup quarterback Ryan "I went to Harvard" Fitzpatrick was able to squeak out enough points for the win. By the time Lindell's second game-winning FG attempt finally sailed through the uprights, the Jets were looking depressed, bewildered, and just grateful to finally get off the field.
Make no mistake: this was a BAD football game. The Jets were unrecognizable, struggling to bottle up a mediocre running game, not getting through to the quarterback enough; most likely because they were so tired from having to jog back onto the field after turnovers. And sure enough, the team is now having an identity crisis. Head coach Rex Ryan admitted to thinking about pulling Sanchez from the game, and the New York Post has now posted a poll in which just under 40% of fans are willing to chalk this game up as growing pains. This is the problem with playing the Super Bowl in September: the next three months are your offseason.
Will the Jets bounce back next week in Oakland? Probably. And they still have enough talent to make the playoffs. But after two straight divisional losses and now at .500, it's time for Rex Ryan to check with his considerable gut. That Patriots team at the top of the division just put on a show, and while nothing is decided, I sure like the view from the top this morning.
MILES:
Ah, yes. The 59-point drubbing of a dead-on-its-feet Titans team, in inclement weather, at home. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but yesterday's win isn't a reflection of your team. It's just a reflection of what your team can do against a winless, dysfunctional team that clearly did not want to play yesterday. But it's a still a win, and given the Jets recent state of play, it ensures the road to AFC East still goes through Foxborough.
BEN:
Well, sure, they're not looking good, but then neither are the Bills. And the inclement weather makes it harder to score, not easier. Oh and also if this were a mere drubbing, and not a record-setting win. And if the Patriots didn't have outstanding personnel who were just waiting to get their groove back. If all those things weren't true, then perhaps I'd chalk it up as a repeat of the Cardinals game from last year. But it wasn't. It was a big, meaningful win for a team that appears headed in the exact opposite direction as the Jets.
MILES:
I’d be wary of pumping up another record-setting performance by the Pats. We’ve already heard that story, and it doesn’t end well for you.
BEN:
Nice. I'd wondered aloud last week what resort was left for Rex Ryan if the Jets lost again, but I hadn't realized it would be the bloggers who resorted to low blows. This makes sense, I suppose. After all, Rex wants to involve the fans, right?
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