Brady-O'Brien Sideline Spat Overshadows Patriots 34-27 Win Over Redskins

It is almost unheard of that drama on the sidelines during a Patriots game (by them) overshadows the actual play on the field but as far as I'm concerned, seeing Tom Brady and offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien yell at each other and have to be separated was much more interesting than New England's (10-3) 34-27 win over the Washington Redskins (4-9) this afternoon at FedEx Field.

New England kept pace with the Steelers, Ravens and Texans, who all won this weekend and remain tied atop the AFC at 10-3. The Pats could have clinched the AFC East today with a Jets loss but Rex Ryan's guys smoked the Chiefs to keep their playoff hopes alive and well.

It sounds insane that I never thought this one was in doubt, especially since Washington was driving for the tying score at the end, but did you really believe Rex Grossman (19 of 32, 252 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) would beat the Patriots?

For their fifth straight win, New England benefited on a huge break (or bounce as it were) when Grossman's pass went off Santana Moss' (3 catches, 81 yards, TD) hands and was picked off on an outstanding diving play by Jerod Mayo (his second INT in the last two games).

Brady (22 of 37, 357 yards, 3 TDs, INT) got into it following the previous drive as the Patriots could have iced it with another score but his pass into the end zone-intended for Tiquan Underwood (1 catch, 7 yards)-was picked off by Josh Wilson.

TB12 is prone to emotional outbursts when he walks to the sideline and being a prick when he's on the bench. In this case, I think they both had their faults. 1) It wasn't a good pass by Brady so I have no problem with O'Brien calling him on it. 2) That was the best option, really? Forcing it in to the fifth receiver? So I can also understand Brady's frustration. This moment will be the talking point for the next week and I don't blame anyone since it was way more memorable than this completely forgettable game (at least as far as the Pats defense was concerned).

Rob Gronkowski (6 catches, 160 yards, 2 TDs) broke the NFL touchdown record for tight ends (13, held by Antonio Gates and Vernon Davis). Honestly, I think he could put up 20+ now that he has 15 with three games remaining.

Wes Welker (7 catches, 86 yards) and Aaron Hernandez (5 catches, 84 yards) both had solid performances in supporting roles to Gronk. Truthfully, Brady didn't have a great game even though his numbers look good. He missed way more passes than he normally does but what can you do? As usual, O'Brien had no commitment to any semblance of a running game, putting way too much pressure on Brady to carry not only the defense but also a one-dimensional offensive gameplan.

Two ex-Patriots: Jabar Gaffney (6 catches, 92 yards, TD) and Donte' Stallworth (4 catches, 96 yards) torched their former team which dare I say, had its most pathetic defensive performance of the season so far, all things considered. Andre Carter (5 tackles, 2 solo, sack, 3 quarterback hits) had a good game against his former team the Redskins.

Vince Wilfork recovered a Grossman fumble (caused by Carter) in the end zone for a touchdown (the first of his career) and an early 7-0 lead for the Pats, 2:54 into the game. However, other than that, Mayo's interception (the last play) and a couple pass breakups by Devin McCourty, New England's defense was beaten all over the field by Redskins rookie running back Ray Helu (27 carries, 126 yards) and an otherwise awful offensive unit.

Washington went down the field on its next drive but were forced to settle for a 26-yard field goal by Graham Gano.

Gronkowski's first touchdown-from 11 yards out-was trumped by the catch and run he made on the previous play. He went 49 yards, dragging and/or running over multiple Redskins while staying inbounds on the sideline. At 14-3 a little more than midway through the first quarter, New England looked like they might blow out Washington.

Turns out that Gaffney and Co. responded right away. He had a 9-yard touchdown grab (burning McCourty) that cut it to 14-10. I'm not going to pretend he's a great wide receiver but don't you wish the Pats had him over the likes of Underwood and Chad Johnson (1 catch, 15 yards)? Gaffney's a pro; a good route runner that makes plays.

The second quarter started with a play that might only work in Pop Warner, probably not even in Madden. Yet there was returner Brandon Banks taking an end-around and throwing a terrible spiral to Moss (uncovered) for a 49-yard touchdown. Washington led 17-14.

New England's red zone offense stalled and Stephen Gostkowski was forced to kick a 23-yard field goal to tie it at 17. Ditto for the Redskins as Gano hit a 25-yard field goal before the two-minute warning. Gostkowski's 24-yard field goal at the end of the first half knotted it at 20.

The back and forth scoring extended to the third quarter as Gronkowski caught a 37-yard touchdown on New England's first drive of the half. David Anderson tied it with a 6-yard touchdown catch from Grossman before Welker broke loose for a 24-yard TD after Brady bought some time in the pocket.

It was shocking that nobody scored in the fourth quarter, not to mention the fact that the Patriots defense forced two punts and the interception.

I have been waiting for next Sunday's game in Denver basically since the Jets game way back on November 13. The Pats have played one joke team (Kansas City, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Washington) after the next during this winning streak so it's time to see them face the Broncos (8-5), who lead the AFC West and are riding a six-game winning streak and 7-1 run under the incomparable Tim Tebow.

The only disappointing part is that it won't be on Sunday Night Football so that it truly gets the hype it deserves but I can't argue against Brady vs. Tebow at any time. Denver is likely going to win their division and make the playoffs; they have a nice defense and it is always tough to win in the high altitude of Denver (snow would be cool too).

I speak for all Patriots fans when I say, it's about time they faced someone they could potentially see in the playoffs. Enough with these garbage opponents in games that are almost predetermined before kickoff.

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Patriots-Redskins Injury Report

You know that the New England Patriots (9-3) haven't had a big game in weeks since it seems like nobody is talking about them at the moment.

With the NBA's bumbling moves and the Bruins in full swing not to mention the holidays around the corner, it is totally understandable why people have mostly stopped paying attention to the Pats during the weeks between games.

This Sunday should be no different than the last few games because New England plays at the Washington Redskins (4-8). You remember who Washington's quarterback is right? None other than Rex Grossman and if he should get hurt or falter, John Beck is his backup. So yeah, that's why nobody should fear Mr. Tan himself Mike Shannon or his garbage team that is playing out the string as usual.

As far as injuries go, Washington's list is a short one. Defensive tackle Chris Baker (quad) and safety LaRon Landry (groin) have both been declared out. Everybody else on their injury report is probable and I don't bother to mention those. Let's also not forget two of their best players: left tackle Trent Williams and tight end Fred Davis, who will miss Sunday's game and the rest of the season due to failing a drug test (reportedly for marijuana).

The Patriots have declared offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer (back/foot) out. Linebacker Jermaine Cunningham (hamstring), who you probably forgot still existed, is doubtful. Following the pattern of the last few weeks, Bill Belichick has listed a double-digit amount of Patriots players (12 this time) as questionable.

Cornerback Kyle Arrington (foot), safety Patrick Chung (foot), center Dan Connolly (groin), wide receiver/cornerback Julian Edelman (back), linebacker Dane Fletcher (thumb), safety James Ihedigbo (shoulder), cornerback Devin McCourty (shoulder), wide receiver Matthew Slater (shoulder), linebacker Brandon Spikes (knee), running back Shane Vereen (hamstring), offensive lineman Ryan Wendell (calf) and running back Danny Woodhead (abdomen) are all theoretically 50/50 to play at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday at FedEx Field.

The players I'll be keeping an eye on the most for New England that are questionable have to be Chung and Spikes. They've both missed big chunks of time and are two of the Patriots most talented defensive players. New England's playoff hopes will likely fall on their shaky defense to make a few plays/stops here and there. Those are guys that can get that done.

I'll update this tomorrow and/or Sunday when I hear who is going to be out as well for both teams.

Another note: Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo was fined $25,000 on Friday for his hit on Colts quarterback Dan Orlovsky. Apparently, he hit him in the head or neck area but since there was no penalty on the play, I honestly don't remember it. This was the biggest fine received by a Patriot so far this season.

UPDATE 12/10: The Pats have resigned defensive lineman Eric Moore, who was on the team for a while last season, and placed Cunningham on IR. Moore was signed by New England at this time last season and even though he was completely unknown, he was a solid pass rusher (something they desperately needed).

He was cut in training camp so he's spent the season with Virginia's UFL team. Some thought rookie defensive end Markell Carter would be activated off the practice squad but apparently Belichick doesn't think the raw project is quite ready yet.

Cornerback Sterling Moore was released and cornerback Malcolm Williams was activated from the practice squad. Also, Chung (5th straight game), Connolly, Spikes and Vereen.

UPDATE 12/11: Third quarterback Ryan Mallett and defensive lineman Gerard Warren are the other Patriots who are inactive for today.

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Bring on the Colts

The 2007 Patriots cease to amaze even the biggest homer fan. They're not only beating teams, they're embarrassing them. Have you ever heard an opposing team whine in the NFL that the other team was running up the score? The Redskins were saying such things after being run out of town, 52-7 yesterday at Gillette. They were supposed to be a test (4-2 coming in) since they had a great defense but they looked awful. The Colts took care of the Panthers, setting up one of the biggest regular season games in NFL history: Pats at Colts next Sunday.

Nobody has even come close to slowing down the Patriots offense. And the thing that separates them from almost every other great team in history is that they have a defense that is pretty solid as well. Brady ran for two touchdowns and threw for three more. Mike Vrabel looked like an albino Lawrence Taylor. He had 13 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 caused fumbles and he caught a touchdown on the goal-line. Apparently, Washington never watched film leading up to this game as anyone in New England (including my Golden Retriever) could have told you that when Vrabel is on on the two tight end, goal-line formation, he's going to have a ball thrown his way. Colvin recovered one of Vrabel's strip-sacks and returned it 11-yards for a touchdown. Ty Warren scooped up the other two fumbles.

The Redskins didn't have a chance. Jason Campbell, who is supposed to be an up-and-coming quarterback looked completely confused. He threw a pick to Asante Samuel on a long pass that didn't have a prayer. It was a Bledsoe special, just throwing it downfield to a covered receiver. One of the most promising signs for the Patriots was Lawrence Maroney, who had 14 carries for 75 yards and caught two passes for 37 yards. It got so bad for the Skins that Matt Cassell scrambled for a 15-yard TD late in the fourth.Were the Pats running it up? Yeah and what's the big deal with that? This isn't Pop Warner, it's not high school and it's not some I-AA school bending over to a top-25 team in College Football. This was supposedly two good teams. They're both getting paid so why shouldn't the Pats run the plays to the best of their abilities. More and more people nationally are starting to hate the Patriots which will only fuel them. The only thing that isn't good about scoring 'til you drop is that you don't want to leave the franchise (Brady) in there when they're comfortably up 35+ in the fourth quarter. Some overzealous goon will take a cheap-shot at him if they're not careful.

Almost forgot to mention that Moss had a sick TD. They did the fake spike again near the goal-line which would have worked last week but Brady misfired. This time, it was a charm. Moss is truly a freak. Welker continued to go to work, 9 catches for 89 yards and a score. Seymour came back but didn't get out there for many plays. He seemed rusty but he'll have another week of practice to get up to speed for Indy. That game should be phenomenal. The Colts and Pats are on completely different planets from all the other NFL teams. Indy is the defending champs and they've beat the Patriots three times in a row. Oh and the Pats choked in the AFC Championship last year to them. Think revenge will be on the menu Sunday in Indy? You can book that.