It was another easy game as they pounded the Cardinals, who looked more like they wanted to be in sunny Arizona and as far away from snow as they could be.

There was more looking at the weather than worrying about the Cardinals. Bad weather meant that the air game would be rough and a lot harder for the air attack of Arizona. There was concern about Boldin, whether he would play or not and of JSamders and Guyton, both of who ended up not playing. And there was a lot of talk about other games, the Jags/Colts, which I thought was a long shot at best and well as the best shot; the Boys over the Ravens. And of course, the weather in Boston was also a factor, with a storm on Friday and one for the game.

With the disappointment of both the Jags and the Cowboys, it mean that the Pats had to win of course and that either the Chiefs or the Hawks had to help. If both of those teams lost, the Pats would be eliminated from the East division race and the only shot was the Ravens losing at home against Jags.

The team again did not make any roster moves, not even adding an eighth to the Practice Squad..

The Inactives came out and the real surprise was Guyton not playing, but all was fine going into the game for the team.

New England won the toss and decided to kick off and give the Cardinals a chance feel the snow on offense. Gostkowski kicked it to Breaston at the 3 and he came up the middle, hit by Richardson and Redd, after a 14 yard gain. Hightower ran twice and gained 3 each as Seymour and Wilfork led the defensive attack. On 3rd and 4, he swept to the left and lost 3 as Vrabel knifed in for the spot. Graham had a good punt off, of 41 yards. Welker took it and ran up the middle through a large hole. The 28 yard return gave the Pats the ball at the Arizona 33.

Morris ran right for 9 and two plays later went for 10 on the left, with a great second effort. There he was in a pile with Rolle, Dansby, Okeafor and Dockett, pulling them for more. That gave the Pats the ball at the 5 yard line. Morris went left for 3, but then there was a time out as the Pats changed players. The Cards didn't get all in and called a time out. Jordan ran right and was met by Watson and Dansby, gaining only a yard. A 3rd down play to the same spot and he had a 1 yard TD. Quickly in the snow, the Pats were up 7.

The Cards continued to run the ball and on a 3rd down and 2, Hightower found a hole for 9. The only problem was there was a penalty on the play on Smith and the run was negated, the ball back 10 yards. Warner's 3rd down pass was a bit underthrown to Doucet as Wilfork was on him hard.

On the second play, Cassel threw a screen to Morris on the left. He scooted by Dockett and Rolle dove and missed. He cut across the field at an angle as blockers were down in front of him. He was finally knocked out by Hood after a gain of 42 yards to the Zona 14. Dockett knocked down a Cassel pass and then Jordan took it right inside for 9 as Okeafar and Ware brought him down. On 3rd down, Jordan ran left angling it in and just got 2 at the 3 yard line. After Ware chased Cassel to the right, he threw it away on the ground as receivers were covered. On 3rd down, Jordan found a big hole on the right and made an easy run of 3 yards.

Both teams had three and outs in successive possessions. On 3rd down after two Hightower runs, Warner was sacked by Wright and Seymour. On the other hand, on first down, Cassel went long and the ball was dropped by Moss at the 10 yard line. Even in the snow, Cassel was on target with the long bomb. Morris cut inside on a run left through the line and again with extra effort had an 8 yard run. On 3rd down, Jordan was cut down by Robinson for a loss of 1 yard. Hansen kicked the ball out on the right at the 9 yard line.

After a Patriot time out, Warner flared it out right to Hightower who was tackled by Mayo, fumbling the ball in the process. Seau dove for it and had it, but it was ex-Patriot tight end Spach who came up with it at the 4 yard line. Warner was hit by Green on 2nd down, the ball completely off target. On 3rd down, it was James who ran it for only 5, to the 9, the original line of scrimmage.

The second play was a Cassel toss to Gaffney as he came across the middle. He was open at the 30 yard line and cut left for a large gain of 37 yards, to the Cardinal 15. After Jordan ran right for no gain as Dansby and Watson hit him hard, Cassel threw a screen left to Faulk. Brown dove and missed as he cut inside and ran for a 15 yard touchdown. The Pats were now on top 21-0, with a bit over 12 minutes left in the half.

Three plays into the next possession, the Cards got their first 1st down. On a 3rd and 2, it was a screen right to Doucet for 2 as Vrabel knocked him down after a short gain. Fitzgerald cut quick left, caught it for 10 and tiptoed out of bounds. James ran left for 12 to the Pats 40 and had a 1st and 10 there. James got 1 on a draw as Wilfork and Vrabel made the big stop. On 2nd down, there was a pass to James over the middle. He spun by Seau, but was stopped by Colvin and Mayo for a gain of 6. On a 3rd down and 3, the give was to Hightower as he came from left to right as in a reverse. He gained 2, but Seau knocked him out of bounds before the marker. On 4th and 1 at the Pats 31, Warner went back to pass, but was hit by an onrushing Wright. The ball bounced to Patrick on a few bounces and New England took over on downs.

On the second play Jordan powered over the right side for 12 yards. Cassel was sacked for a loss of 4 by Berry, but Rolle was called for Illegal Contact and the Pats had a 1st and 10 at the Arizona 48. Rogers-Cromartie knocked the ball away on a long pass right and on 3rd down, Cassel threw it to Gaffney who was in between five defenders. The pass was for 19 to the 29. Mankins held and the ball went back 10 yards. Cassel went short to Welker twice, each for 3 yards and then to Morris for a screen for 3. It was 4th and 11 at the 30 and the Pats went for it. Cassel saw no open receivers and ran hard for the first down, gaining 16 with a big move. Three plays later, it was a short pass to Welker over the middle. Hood missed and Welker sprinted to the endzone, making a snow angel in the back of the endzone after the TD. There was a flag, but the Pats were on top 28 to 0, with less than two minutes left.

Hightower dropped a pass, Hobbs made play on low pass to Fitzgerald and Wright pressured Warner, the ball thrown poorly at James.

The Pats took over at their 29 with 84 ticks of the clock left in the half. A pass to Gaffney on the left went for `4 and he stepped out of bounds stopping the clock. Three plays later it was an identical play, but for 16 and the ball was at the Cardinal 40. Two plays later it was on the right and to Welker for 20, out of bounds at the 20. Hood deflected the ball from Gaffney at the 4 and Cassel overthrew Welker by a few yards in the endzone. Gostkowsli added a field goal and at the half, the Pats were up 31-0. There were other things that happened in the rest of the game.

The Patriots scored on their next three drives, but it was all field goals, no touchdowns.

On the first, after a Graham punt, they started off quickly, with a screen to Evans of 28 yards. The drive continued, with a Moss catch off 11 and a Morris charge up the middle for 10. It looked like it might be another TD drive as Cassel pushed it up the middle for for 3 and a 1st down at the 7, but on 3rd and 5, Dansby came in and sacked Cassel for a loss of 12 and Gostkowski kicked the field goal of 35.

On the second possession, after the Cardinals were trapped back near their goal line, the Pats took over after a punt a yard into Arizona territory. Passes to Welker of 13 and 12 yards gave them hope with a 1st down at the 11, but a 3rd down pass to Moss at the 5 was tipped by Brown as he rushed in. Gostokowski added 3 with a 24 yard field goal.

On the third, the Pats took over at the Arizona 15 as Leinart fumbled on a Meriwether sack and Green recovered at the 15. There was a Holding call on Watson and the 3rd down pass to DeVree was to his side. Gostkowski's 30 yarder extended the lead to 47-0.

Hobbs made an interception on the next series as Leinart's pass to Urban was tipped up in the air by the receiver and grabbed by him. O'Connel came in to get some experience with the last minutes. Leinart threw a 78 yard TD pass to Fitzgerald, who was on the left and caught it at the 45. He pushed Hobbs off with a straight arm, outran Washington and dove into the endzone for the score. But other than that late TD, it was really all Patriots during the whole game.

This game was so similar to the Oakland game except it was home and in the snow not the rain. It was a complete and total victory and something that I think says a lot about the character of this team.

The Pats offense was on fire, with 16 first downs in the first half and a third down efficiency of 71%. They had 270 total net yards, 78 rushing and 192 passing in that half. They put up 47 points and if one or more of their long second half drives had clicked, getting a touchdown instead of a field goal, they could have had 50 points and maybe their largest margin as a franchise.

The Pats defense also played strong, allowing only 3 Cardinal first downs in the first half and a third down efficiency of 14%. They could muster only 55 total net yards in the half, 32 rushing and 23 passing.

The special teams also did their job. Hansen had 3 punts for an average of 47 yards and hit two out inside the 20 yard line. Despite the snow, Gostkowski hit four field goals in four attempts.

The only downside was that Richard Seymour was injured late in the second quarter and did make it back to the game. It was some kind of a back injury and while it did not seem bad, he is out of today's Bill's game.

There was a lot of watching and monitoring other games and the first two were Thursday and Saturday. One was a bit of a surprise from left field, as a Jaguar win over the Colts would have forced the Colts to beat the Titans in their last game. The Cowboys game was a large disappointment as so many thought the Boys would take control and win the last game at Texas Stadium. It didn't happen.

The Jags started off with a big opening drive, as Drew-Jones ran and Garrard threw a long pass to Northcutt of 28 yards and a quick lead. The Colts were stopped and Jacksonville ground out another long drive, ending with a Garrard touchdown run of 2. The optimism of seeing Manning go down was appealing. That long drooping Manning face was a famous one. There it was 14-0, although, this changed quickly as Manning was on fire and there was Wayne catching a 41 yard pass. The Colts struck back.quick. And back and forth the teams went. As the half was growing to a close, the Colts were knocking at the door. On a 3rd and 1 at the Jags 9, they sent Rhodes around right end. Sensabaugh nailed him losing 2 and then to make matters worse for the Colts, AdamV missed the short field goal. Short passes down the field made me smile and soon the Jags had no time outs left. Jennings played back some and away and Garrard hit Walker with a pass of 18 and he was quickly out of bounds. It was a bad play for Indy and I was happy as Scobee hit a 44 yarder field goal to put the Jags up 17-7..

The second half opened with Manning hot as a cannon, moving the Colts downfield for a TD as Rhodes caught a short pass and was in to make it a 3 point game. The good feelings I had about this game turned quickly sour, but the Jags long drive made me feel more optimistic. It was a long one and they pounded the Colts D in the process. Owens went in and the Jags were up 10 again, late in the 3rd quarter. The Colts rebounded and quickly were in Jags territory and in the Red Zone. They sent Rhodes twice into the line and the Jacksonville defense stopped him. But then it was in the air, where Manning was king, and an easy 1 yard pass to Clark. 24-21. The Jags stalled, the Colts got the ball back and trouble brewed. They stopped Simpson on a 3rd and 1, but Vinatieri hit this field goal and the game was tied, with six and a half minutes left. Nail biting time for sure. It was here that, I really got angry. Garrard usually doesn't make mistakes, but this one was bad. He just threw the ball out to WIlliams in the flat and Ratcliff picked it off and was home free into the endzone with a 31-24 lead. I was not happy at all. Why throw such a dangerous pass? There was less than five minutes to go; they couldn't just be cavalier with the football. But the Jags could come back and tie the the game; or so I thought..

They couldn't move the ball and after the Colts took over, frustration hit as Ingram slammed Manning blatantly. The Jags used their time outs and got the ball back with two and a half minutes left. I short pass to Jones-Drew gained 17 and the ball was at their 39 with the two minute warning. It was two passes to Northcutt for 15 and 6, and then to Williams for 22. Garrard spiked the ball as the clock was ticking down. The ball was at the Colt 17 with 48 seconds left. There was optimism and then disappointment big time. There was a pass to Jones-Drew of 10, but Bullitt and another Colts defender smashed into him hard when he was down. It was a smart play as if there is an injured player and a team has no time outs, ten seconds get to run off. It was another dirty Dungy deed. And with 17 seconds left, Williams was open in the endzone as well as two others. Garrard had him, but threw it over his head. On 2nd down, Garrard went back to pass and was sacked by Freeney, game over. I really did not think the Colts would be out of the playoffs, but to have the Jags come so close to beating them and making a Wek 17 game interesting, was heartbreaking.

The real chance was for Baltimore to lose and with the last game being played at Texas Stadium, I was a Cowboys fan and hoping for a big win Saturday night. Romo threw an interception, but quickly Ware was on Flacco and the ball fumbled and recovered by the Boys. There was Choice up the middle and Dallas was on top, 7-0. That put me in a good mood as visions of the Ravens going down danced in my head. Unfortunately, the Ravens were not cooperating. They immediately drove downfield, but were stopped cold. Stover added the field goal and it was 7-3. Romo was horrible and the Dallas offense looked horrible and then Baltimore took the ball and drove it in the early 2nd quarter. Instead of seeing the Boys take it to them, I saw a team that was tentative. A Flacco to Heap pass went for 23 to the Dallas 5, but the Cowboys stopped the Ravens and kept it to another field goal. There was a pass missed wide on 2nd down and on 3rd, Burnett was in and sacked him,.forcing the kick. If only the Dallas offense could do something. The teams went back and forth as neither offense could move the ball. With under a minute left, Romo threw it deep and Reed picked it off and brought the ball back 29 to almost midfield. McGahee caught the ball over the middle and scampered for 21 yards. Wtaching the swiss cheese D of the Boys was similar to watching the Pats at their worst. Baltimore used time outs and moved the ball down even more as McGahee ran the ball easily. Stover's kick put the Raven ahead by 2 and there was no holiday cheer left for me.

I was hoping that the Cowboys could get it together and do something good in the second half, but as it started, it was more of the same, but then the Ravens got the better of the field position. Baltimore drove and McClain fumbled, but Mason smartly jumped on it for the recovery. Hamlin had had the ball rolling on it, but somehow it got away from him. It was a big break for the Ravens. The Dallas D held them and Stover was in field goal formation. Koch took the ball and ran left on the fake and all of a sudden, the Ravens were 1st and 10 at the Dallas 13. Two plays later, it was Flacco to Mason for 13 and the Birds were up 16-7. I was not a happy Patriot fan as again, it seemed a team was shooting themselves in the foot and not helping the Patriots. It looked like the Cowboys were moving, but had to settle for a field goal; 16-10. It was early in the last quarter, but Baltimore moved the ball and with the aid of a James late hit, the ball was moved further into Dallas territory. Stover added a field goal and it was 19-10, with six and a half minutes left.

There was a pass to Witten of 35 and four plays later a short pass to Owens for a 7 yard TD. Time was running out, but the Boys were making a move at the right time. Optimism returned fast. Figurs fumbled, hit by Octavien as he was running the ball back, but it was recovered quickly by Stome. Instead of a Cowboy recovery, McGahee took the ball up the middle for 77 yards and the game was history. I was disgusted and not a very happy person with that. The Boys made it close again with a quick score, but it was just another tease. No onside kick, even with 96 ticks of the clock left and McClain did the same thing as McGahee on the first play; 82 yards up the middle for a touchdown. The game that I really thought would help the Pats turned out to be another disappointment; a big one.

I really thought that one or both of the AFC East teams opponents would falter. Miami was playing in Kansas City and tough Arrowhead Stadium, in the wind and cold. There would not be snow, but it would be the coldest game Miami would be playing in ever, with temperatures below ten. The Jets in Seattle would also be a weather game with snow and sleet.

The Miami game was at the same time as the Pats, but I did see the NFL Replay of it to get a better feel of that game. Before the Pats game started, already the Fins were ahead. Cobbs had returned the kick 60 yards to the 31 and on the next play, Ginn reversed left for the touchdown and the quick lead. And with another blink, as the Pats game got underway, the Fins had the ball again, as Goodman picked off a Thigpen pass and raced down the right side for 55 yards to the 18. Luckily, the KC defense played tough and it was only 10-0, but I was not all happy seeing that score. It was a minute or two after the Jordan score that the Chiefs fought back with a big TD, Thigpen to Darling for 33 yards. I felt like it would be one of these back and forth games, even in the cold. It was just after the Faulk score that put the Pats up by 3 TDs, that I was really happy. A short pass to Gonzalez gave Kansas City the lead, 14-10. But it seemed only minutes, I was in a frown again as Pennington threw a TD pass to Martin over the middle and the Fins were back on top 17-14. The Pats were driving the ball and there was another change in the score as Johnson banged the ball in for a KC score and they were ahead again 21-17. Luckily, Gil and Gino kept updates on the radio as well, but it seemed like a total shoot out with the teams up and down the field. After Welker's snow angel, Miami took the lead again, as Pennington threw it to Fasano and it was 24-21. The Pats led at the half, 31-0, but I let out a big yell when I heard that the Chiefs had a big score before their half ended. Thigpen ran the ball in from 8 and KC was on top, 28-24. If only they could show some D and get a larger lead.

I wanted so much for the Fins to lose and open a large door for the Pats, although I also remembered how they had blown a large lead to the streaking Chargers and kept their hope alive to take down the Broncs. After Moss's long run, and the Pats game was getting silly, there was another score for the Chiefs and they led it now, 31-24. It was short lived as the 3rd quarter slowed down play with the blowout, I saw the score shift again. It was now tied at 31 as Williams had swept for 4. I was not all that happy about that. And then there was silence on it as the third quarter faded into the fourth. I wished somehow I had another TV and some NFL package so I could be watching that game live as well. It was always great to watch the Patriots and to keep the line score et all, but so much did I want to know what was happening in that game. Hobbs came up with a pick, although they didn't make use of that opportunity. Then, bad news as the Fins had taken the lead on another Fasano reception from Pennington. After a few screams of agony, I learned more and was not at all happy. So much for the Chiefs and an upset or a totally solid game. It was another close but no cigar game. Miami won and it was looking very bad for the Patriots.

On watching the replay, I didn't really feel like the Dolphins played all they well. There was hardly any defense and to have that anemic KC offense put up points like that showed their D was like paper. I also was quite aware of an early penalty that negated a turnover. This was a Roughing the Passer penalty that was called on Tyler. 'Hitting below the knee' was what the ref called it and it was less of a hit than Pollard's was on Brady. Should have been a non call and KC ball. There was a challenge on Polite's fumble that I think they missed, but really, the Fins did not play that great at all. Play calling was again something to be looked at. Why on a 4th and 1 at their own 26 would one try a pass? That Thigpen went back and fell down was enough to call it blatantly stupid. With Roth covering him quickly, the game was effectively over at that point, although the Chiefs got the ball back and it was panic time and a Miami interception.

So with the Patriot win, it was all on the Seahawks and it was great to sit and watch that game, seeing the snow come down hard and hopefully not being disappointed as I had been for so many games. The Jets got the ball and there in the snow, they marched down the field with a slant pass to Cotchery and runs by Jones and Richardson. On a 3rd and 4 at the Seattle 16, it was Favre who faked this way and that and ended up with a magic shovel pass to Coles for 5 yards and a first down. But it was here that the Hawks D stood tall.There was an incomplete pass and then Richardson got only 4 as Peterson and Tatupu tackled him quick. Favre under pressure from Tapp, threw it on the right to Cotchery, but he was immediately stood up and downed by Grant, close to the first down. After an official measurement, they were short and the Jets went for the field goal. Though the Jets were in the lead, Seattle had prevented a touchdown.

Back and forth these teams went in the snow; a few first downs to midfield, but then stalled in the snow and the elements. It looked like it would be a low scoring game and a big break could change the outcome of the game. Heller caught a pass from Wallace and fumbled and Revis recovered close to midfield, but three plays later Favre threw it up for grabs and Wilson made the interception. A short pass to Taylor went for 26 as Elam made a saving tackle. I was cheering loudly as the Hawks were on the move! Morris ran for 11 but a few plays later, Weaver fumbled on a Lowery hit and Smith recovered for the Jets. A chance at a field goal was snuffed out; the breaks were not going the Patriot way. Favre's pass was knocked down by Tatupu in front of Cotchery and the Jets had to punt. It was late in the second quarter and it was here that the Seahawks made a move. They got an added 15 as Morris lost 2, but Pace grabbed his face mask. The 15 yard penalty brought it to the NY22. Duckett slammed through the line on a 3rd and 1 and the ball was at the 11. Taylor made a diving grab in the snow and then Wallace moved right and threw a touch pass to Carlson. He made a nice catch in the endzone jumping over Harris for the ball. Wow! The Hawks were up 7-3 at the half and I was yelling loudly again.

The ups and downs and frustration ended with the score and I started feeling quite good. The touchdown was the momentum shift needed to change the game as the Hawks had the ball again in the third. Seattle could not move the ball, but neither could the Jets. On a 3rd and 1 at their 46, Washington slammed through the line for 5, but it was called back on an Illegal Formation penalty. On 3rd and 6, Favre went deep and overthrew Clowney. With Morris running the ball steadily and Wallace's short passes to Robinson and Engram, the Seahawks slowly marched upfield. A Morris 13 yard run made it 1st and 10 at the Jet 17. Jenkins stuffed Morris for no gain on the first play and a short pass to Weaver was stopped by Pace after a yard gain. Weaver took the ball on 3rd down and gained only 3. Mare's field goal extended the lead to 7.

Passes to Baker and Coles and runs by Jones gave the Jets momentum into the early fourth quarter. A Favre pass to Cotchery pushed it to the 30, but that is where the drive stalled. It was here that confusion set in. They were going to attempt a 45 yard field goal on a 4th and 7. It was good, but a flag was thrown for Delay of Game and moved back 5 yards, out of field goal range in the bad weather. It was a mistake that may have cost the Jets big time. What was the decision that caused the delay? To punt or not? Why? I was laughing and thinking how the media would kill Mangini in the press if they lost the game. The Jets punted and the Hawks could only get one first down and out of the shadow of the endzone. Law had one go through his hands; that was a big break. Unfortunately, New York ended up in good field position at their own 39. They got a first down as Richardson slammed through the line, but Wilson made the play sacking Favre for a loss of 13 as he moved back to escape the rush. A big play! I cheered the Hawks on more and more. I was looking for a Hawks drive to eat up time, but instead, it was two False Starts that hurt things. Both Williams and Robinson were called and that shot the team in the foot. There was a Ryan punt and with just over 3 minutes, the Jets had the ball.

I didn't know whether this would be another tease as the other five games had been or an open door for the Patriots. Favre was sacked on first down as Tapp was in fast. Favre threw it to Coles for 15, making it a 3rd and 2. The pass was incomplete to Smith and I was really surprised that they decided to go for it. There was 2:21 left in the game. Was this the right decision? Favre went deep to Coles. It was a play I will remember for a long time. Coles actually had the ball and Jennings knocked it out of his hands. It was like a slow motion play and I was yelling and thinking if he caught it, the Jets would definitely score. But the ball came loose and I stood up and screamed crazily. There was 2:20 left and the ball was at the Jets 20 yard line. Three plays and two New York time outs later, Mare put the game away with a field goal; the Hawks up by 10. Two plays after the kickoff, Wilson picked off Favre for frosting on the cake. The door was wide open for the Patriots to get into the playoffs.

The optimism flowed and with three games being played at the same time. I felt a bit confident about things, that was until Goodell entered the picture and moved the Jets/Fins game to 4 PM. That really had me quite upset and I think ALL Patriot fans should march down and burn this creep in effigy, because that is what he is and what he has shown again. The way to keep the Pats out of the playoffs is to have the game AFTER not at the same time. That is what he did and he has shown again that 'integrity' and 'fairness' is way beyond the scope of his character. Sure, move the Ravens game as well, great cover to screw the Pats, 'But they Jets have a chance if the Jags win..' So if the Jags are losing big time, what happens to the integrity of the Jets game? I expect that the Jets will tank and Miami will win; it's that simple. It's the biggest BS move I have seen and what really would have been truly fair was to have had all played at the same time. Fairness is not what BadL is about at all.

And I know I have heard it's the money...THAT is what is all important. But let us say that THAT is the case and that ratings and what people want IS the reason. SO being 'fair' or having 'integrity' is less important. But if one takes this to a conclusion of money ruling over all, one gets to a place that is quite a bad place to be. So, if money rules, and what people want to see is important, MORE important than anything, then who's to say that officiating and controlling things with officials is not just a few steps away? If money rules and is THE FACTOR, then is it fair to say that if that is the case, being able to control who is in the playoffs is JUST as important? I am not saying that IS the case, but given the poor officiating and seeing how it could be done, going down this path to me only leads to total NON integrity and making things like the Quiz Show scandals of the 50s seem like child's play. That is why the tail wagging the dog is always a problem and having money rule all is usually always corrupting. Let the integrity of the game BE the major factor or stain the game over time. It's a slipper slope where integrity needs to really be the important factor. Just another reason he should be thrown out of the top spot in the league.

And speaking of what the NFL has done, what about the fines of Watson and Welker? And just where does this money go? A charity, I know, but is it the Roger Goodell, I Am The King, Foundation? I know it seems automatic when one celebrates in any way in the endzone, but when a fine for making a snow angel is the same as throwing snow into the stands, fairness has gone out the window. Not at all that I am surprised by that at all. For all that Goodell has said about being fair and such, he's been the most unfair commissioner in my lifetime and certainly the only one, besides Kuhn, that I have ever hated with a passion. There have been some I have thought weak, not effective. Maurice Podoloff, the first NBA head was one and Selig has been weak for the most part. Bowie Kuhn's snub of Aaron was one of the lowest things a baseball commissioner has ever done. But it's all blatantly unfair. The Not Fun League. The Not Fair League. BadL is drunk with power hoping people pay more attention to what he says that the totally poor way he operates the league.

But BadL knows a lot about politics as his father was a Senator from New York. He talked a good talk, but lacked the guts to take the big stand when it counted. He did call for the impeachment of Tricky Dicky, but I think that was an obvious one. BadL certainly learned a lot about fooling the people and it was with that that he took control of eeh NFL on the fourth ballot. I really wonder how many owners might have changed their votes knowing what they do now? Maybe Gregg Levy, the outside counsel for the NFL and who was very close to Tagliabue, might have been a better choice. He knew about keeping a low profile as Tags did and wouldn't be grandstanding like Goodell has done. Maybe Robert Reynolds of the financial world and college referee of fifteen years might have been better. It was he who was REALLY Kraft's choice, not Goodell, as many believe. All I know is that BadL was a poor choice and every week seems to take the league in a wrong direction.

Bottom line is that the Pats need a big win in Buffalo in the rain and the balmy temps. If they take care of business and I truly believe they will, they need either a Jaguar win over the Ravens in Baltimore, so they can be the second wild card or a Jet win over the Dolphins at the Meadownlands. If by chance that happens, the Pats will be the third seed as the Eastern Champs. With the way it's going, I really do not see the Jags having much of a shot at it. They played hard against the Colts, but played poorly at the end. That was a home game and playing in Baltimore where it will be wind and possible showers is not conducive to playing strongly. The Ravens have come a long way and with rookie Flacco and a tough D will be hard to beat. The Pats have more of a chance in New York as Mangini may be coaching for his job. Also, this is a really a grudge match in many ways, as Pennington was discarded for the vet Favre and seeks revenge over his old team. It may be Favre's last hurrah as well and going out on a losing note would only tarnish what he has already done. Having a team go from a one win season to a division winner is a large step and a big story for the Tuna. Would the Jets want to rain on that parade or maybe take a dive to keep the Patriots out? It stinks having them play after the Pats, but all Patriot fans will be watching ever so closely, hoping this is not a repeat of the 02 season, where the Packers played poorly and the Jets romped, keeping the Pats out of the playoffs.

I have a hunch that the large run up of scores is part of a Belichick plan to show the ridiculousness of the playoffs if they do not get in. The Pats will be 11-5 and be out of the play offs and will have beaten their opponents by large scores in the last three games. (I am assuming another pounding of the Bills to be added to the Raiders and Cardinal losses). On the other hand, the Chargers or the Broncs will be either 9-7 or 8-8 and if Miami wins the division, they'll have limped in, with just beating the Niners and Chiefs; hardly big time opponents. (I am also assuming if they beat the Jets, it will be another close game.) It will be interesting at four PM and that game in the Meadowlands.

But that all hinges on the Pats winning in Buffalo and while I am hoping for a big win, I always fear the tough loss and the odd play that kills them. Prime examples of that were the Colts and Jets game and with wind 20-40 with gusts to 60 and a 50% chance of rain, anything is possible in that game. As noted, other reports have the wind a bit less gusty and less chance of rain in the afternoon. But with wind, the Pats might rely on the dink and dunk and of the legs of Jordan, Morris and Faulk. If they can stop the Bills running game, they may be able to put them away early. It will be an interesting game, nonetheless.

Hopefully, it will break for the Patriots and they will be hosting a game next week against the Ravens. That team does not want to come to Foxboro as this team remembers not only last year's game, but the way they acted earlier this year in the first preseason game. Acting like winning a preseason game is the Superbowl, is something this team will remember and will act accordingly with a big W. But if they get in the back door, with a wild card spot, it will be a return to Miami against the Fins. Either will be a great game. One thing is certain for next year's schedule as they will be playing Tampa Bay in London.and will have a real mid season bye. They will also be playing in weeks three and six against old AFL teams, most likely the Bills and Jets and will be wearing special throwback uniforms as it's the 50th anniversary of the AFL.

Belated congrats to Wes Welker and Stephen Gostkowski on their upcoming Pro Bowl appearance. I think both wish that they will have some football in January before that game.

And on a breaking story and a sad one, are these charges about Danny Villa, the Walpole football coach. I think he does deserve a fair trial and that it might be hard, given how this was splashed all over the television. Firstly, I found it a bit slimy how 'former Patriot' was all over the story when he did play with other teams. I know he is from the area and the Pats are here, but he only played half his career here and played with the Panthers, Chiefs and Cardinals. It just seemed like the news media wanted to grasp on the 'Patriot' angle at all costs. What I found interesting is that stories on the television web sites, stated that it was 12 years as an NFL player and 6 with the Pats and that with a few more words could have made the TV stories a bit more factual. But it actually goes deeper than that as to how facts can be totally slanted..

Three of the four stations tried to sensationalize the fact that he wasn't around.the area. 'Nowhere to be found. Missing' 'Police are actively seeking where he is.' The whole slant of the TV broadcasts was that he was on the run, one station appearing outside of his house. It was all implied that this was the case. What is disgusting about this is that it was slanted to give that effect while not at all noting that he grew up in Arizona and most likely was visiting relatives for the holiday. There was no mention of his ties to Arizona in three of the broadcasts and yet on the web sites of these stations it was. Did anyone use their brain and think 'Gee, maybe it's Christmas and he's visiting relatives there?' Better to not think and go for the sensational and skew the facts.

If he did what was charged he should face the music, of course, but a larger issue that seems to be coming out is that this was widely known and that a lot was delayed till after the High School Superbowl. If so, there are some school administrators and others who have some explaining to do.

I have seen first hand how talk of panic and fear is played up by the media and how integrity has sometimes gone far out the window. It's just a small thing in this case, but it makes one think about distortion and slant.

Tom and Giselle? If that is the case and Tom is happy/ Congrats! I wish them the best!

Just want to wish Happy Holidays to many that I see in my regular daily life. To hardworking Eddie at Triple A and Billy who worked their for some time; To Norm and Pat at Walgreens; to Stop and Shoppers long time Patriot fan Ronnie, Doug and Rick, Theresa with the blue and pink hair, Stephanie and Bobby; to Andrea at DD, who is always so thoughtful and kind and whose flashing light Christmas necklace was a charm; To Bob at Hayes Oil and Ralph at UPS; To Tim and Charley, who helped move the car. To Julie, Jess, Pat, Helen and Melanie at Caterpillars and Butterflies; To George, Rosanna and Heidi at Heidi's; To all those at Kindness Animal Hospital and Andros Diner; HAPPY HOLIDAYS!