The Patriots traditionally play some of their best football towards the end of the year, with a 48-9 record of games won on or after Thanksgiving Day. This little stat may not come in handy, however, when they go against the league’s top defense in the Pittsburgh Steelers. Then again, the Patriots are also coming off a franchise first back-to-back 500 yard games, with Matt Cassel throwing for over 400 in each. It’s gonna be a hot offense against a cold defense.

The Wildcat Offense couldn’t get it done for the Miami Dolphins this time around. Though it baffled and embarassed the Patriots last meeting, New England would not be had again. Matt Cassel, in particular,  made sure of that. For the second week in a row, Cassel posted another monster 400-yard passing game, throwing 30-43 with 3 touchdowns. Bac-to-back 400 yard games is a feat only accomplished by four other quarterbacks: Phil Simms, Dan Fouts, Billy Volek and Dan Marino. With another impressive performance like this, there still may be a Patriots quarterback going to the Pro Bowl.

Ok, ok. Take down the black crepe paper. It’s been several years since New England last saw anything like 2nd place. I understand. But let’s keep this in perspective.  First of all, last year was kind of crazy. Undefeated all the way to the Super Bowl doesn’t happen very often. Plus, who would’ve guessed that in a Thursday Night Football game, our QB would throw for 400 yards and 3 TDs and throw almost twice as many times, and still we would lose in the end. Not everyone plays against Brett Favre twice a season. And usually even Favre doesn’t throw 26/33. Man, bad luck there.  But we’re still in good position. No mourning. It’s football. There’s no crying in football.

They were unable to get it done against the simply determined Brett Favre and New York Jets. Favre seemed to be playing with the endurance and vigor of a Brett in his 20s. In the end, the Patriots fell just short in overtime and lost 34-31 on a Feely Field Goal. Despite the 400 yard passing performance of Matt Cassell, the Pats couldn’t get it done. They are now in second place in the AFC East.

Randy Moss got fined after the Nov. 2nd loss to Indianapolis.  After that game, he made the following comments to reporters about the officiating: “There were some real iffy calls out there, and it’s just some of the things that you wished wouldn’t have happened,” Moss said after the game. “Good calls and bad calls are part of the game, so you got to live and die with them.” The NFL decided at the time that these were needlessly critical comments about the League, and fined him $20,000.  But this week, they relented, without comment. My guess is that someone actually read his remarks and noticed that he had 1) qualified them and 2) not been all that critical anyway. So he’s all set to play and he can keep his $20,000. Buy some good books or something, Randy!

The New England Patriots will be playing in a huge matchup this Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. In one of the most contested divisions in the NFL, the Pats, Bills, and Jets are in a three way tie, with Miami only one game behind. Therefore, the winner of this game is guaranteed to keep their first place spot within the AFC East. The Patriots need to capitalize now on a Buffalo team that has struggled in their last two games. Do this one for Brady guys. Get the full scoop at NFL.com.

New England faced off against Indianapolis last evening.  The game was decent.  A close game with lots of lead changes and everything. Exactly what we’d expect from a Colts-Pats game the last few years.  Except not as good.  New England has a subpar secondary and a backup QB starting this year.  Indianapolis is just bogged down in something or other this year.  It’s not even clear what.  The team was almost bumped from contention, had they lost yesterday, they almost certainly wouldn’t have had a chance at their division, and possibly not even for the Wild Card.  What has happened to these teams?  Are they just older?  Are they just having normal troubles, off seasons that happen to anyone?  No idea.  But the game was exciting for it’s oddness and the difference from previous meetings.