It was a very strange week in the NFL as the top 4 and the top 3 teams in the AFC and NFC respectively were all cemented into playoff berths. A win or a loss did not matter to any of those teams. There were also teams fighting for a wild card berth that needed a win as well as teams far out of the playoffs just playing out the string. For those teams in the playoffs, the big topic was rest and injuries; how much should the starters play.

For the Patriot's, there was a growing list of injured: 3 thighs, 3 knees, 4 shoulders, a foot, a hamstring, an arm, an ankle, ribs and an abdomen and countless bruises and bumps that have been mounting as the season went on.

That question was answered for the other teams in a similar situation. Favre stayed in one quarter and Green Bay poured it on with an easy win, but Vick was injured, out early and the Falcons lost, although their opponent, the Seahawks, needed the win to get home field advantage. Without starters, both the Steelers and the Chargers won easily, the black and gold's win most impressive as the Bills were fighting for a playoff spot and were home in a tough Wilson Stadium. The Eagles and Colts on the other hand, both lost. The Bengals pummeled the backup Eagle players and the Colts more or less mailed it insuring they'd be playing the same Broncos in a week's time. It happened similarly in year's past and the Broncos were one and done then. I believe the Colts were thinking of a similar scenario.

The Patriots meanwhile, sunk to the depths of poor play and went into halftime tied with the worst team in football. Brady played the 3rd quarter and some starters remained into the last as the Patriots came away with a 2 touchdown victory. Whether their length of time in the game has any effect long term remains a question. If Brady, Dillon or any of the other starters who were in the game late had been injured, it would have been a big and crucial misstep. Luckily, it didn't happen and again the New Engalnd had a 14-2 season; quite an accomplishment.

This win did not come easy at all and would NOT be a game with high style points, but a win IS a win and in the end that is all that counts and that there were no injuries or lasting effects.

The game began with both teams making some bad plays. Bethel Johnson returned a punt for a touchdown for 86 yards after the first series of the game, but it was called back with an Earthwind Moreland blocking penalty and the Patriots were starting from their 7 yard line. They moved the ball easily down field with the no-huddle, an interesting offensive twist. Unfortunately, Dillon took the ball on a screen and John Engelberger, a DE from San Francisco knocked the ball loose after a good gain and the Niners had the ball back.

They were almost as inept as they were called for three penalties, two for Holding and one for a False Start.

The Patriots got the ball back, but another turnover happened quickly. Brady's screen pass to Dillon was tipped and the ball fell right into the hands of defensive back Dwaine Carpenter who ran upfield for 31 yards.

The Niners had the ball at the Pats 22 yard line. Five plays later, on a 3rd down play, Dorsey hit fullback Bush at the 3 yard line on a flare pass and he was into the endzone with a score. The Niners might be the worst team in football, but the consecutive game streak of taking the first points in a game was stopped with that short pass. As the streaks of holding a lead when leading at the half and at the end of 3 quarters vanished at the end of the Miami game, this record was now history.

To the team, I am sure, just a footnote, but still one worth noting.

And with that score, the Patriots floundered, as an Andruzzi Holding call erased a nice screen to Pass and Koppen was downfield on a 3rd down pass.

A punt and the Niners were moving upfield again. As the 2nd quarter got underway, they were slowly moving upfield as Barlow ran left on a 4th down play and got it easily and the ball was at the Patriots 37. Samuel went flying by Conway on a quick pass out and he took it down to the 19. It was there that the Patriots D stopped the Niners. Hicks ran for 2, but was stopped for a 4 yard loss on a dump pass as Harrison and Bruschi got to him quick. On 3rd down, Dorsey had to heave it out of bounds as he was being chased. Peterson's 39 yard field goal hit the upright and with that miss, New England's momentum returned.

Brady threw to Fauria for 11 and Dillon up the middle for 20 yards. Givens caught a Brady throw inside the 5 and fought defenders to the 2 yard line. Two plays later, LB and TE, Mike Vrabel was wide open on the left for a score and the game was tied.

After a Niner punt, Brady and company again moved the ball downfield as Brady threw to Pass for 7, Weaver for 17 and Patten for 23. Unfortunately, Brady fumbled as his arm was hit by John Engelberger who quickly jumped on the ball for a recovery.

The Niners tried to move it, but after a 1st down, let the clock run down, satisfied with a tie at the half.

New England, keeping a lot of the starters in could not move the ball, but Je"Rod Cherry made a sensational play, keeping Josh Miller's punt from the end zone and being sure Bethel Johnson would down it at the 1 yard line.

San Fran got a first down, but the Patriot D quickly forced a punt so they would have the ball near midfield.

Cory Dillon, who needed 81 yards for a bonus clause of his contract to kick in got to that mark with a big run right of 29 to the Niners 14. With that run it seemed that the Patriots took even more control. A pass to Fauria for 6 and then Brady hit Branch in the left flat and he scampered into the endzone with fancy footwork. The New England club had their 1st lead of the game with 8:50 remaining in the 3rd quarter.

After a trade of punts, San Francisco got on the move again with a Dorsey to Conway toss of 13 and a Barlow rumble of 20 yards, Bruschi stopped Barlow for a loss of 1 as he countered left and then on the next play fumbled and Tully Banta-Cain recovered for the Patriots.

Again with the no-huddle, they moved upfield and two plays into the last quarter, with backup Davey at the helm, Dillon took it in for 6 yards and a two TD lead.

The game was over for all practical purposes, but there still some interesting plays. There was a nifty Barlow run of 30 yards, spearheading another Niner drive, but with a 2nd and 3, the Patriots put up a big defensive front. Bruschi and Wilfork stopping Barlow on 2nd down. Banta-Cain and Green were the wall on 3rd and then the Niners went again and Barlow was hit Phifer and Banta-Cain. Davey heaved a bomb down the left side that went through Bethel Johnson's hand; a pretty miss. There was Cobbs for 13 on a sweep and BethelJ for 11 on a reverse. And there was another big stand by the D. On a 3rd and 1, Ted Johnson and Eathan Kelley were the tacklersl and on 4th down, Hicks fumbled and Earthwind Moreland recovered. And as the clock was winding down, Dorsey hit Woods on a pass and run of 58; Samuel catching him and knocking him out of bounds.

The season was over and back to back 14-2 seasons were in the books.

While that game was far from exciting, a few minutes later, there was some excitement on two channels here in Boston as Fox changed to the Panthers-Saints game and at 4 PM, CBS went to the Jets-Rams. For about 5 minutes, it was quite exciting as action was fast and furious. The Rams had gone ahead with a Bulger to Holt TD and a Jackson 2 point conversion for a 3 point lead. The Jets started moving upfield, Martin running for a 1st down with a big run right. Click. Meanwhile, the Saints were trying to hang on to a lead, keeping the clock moving with runs. Click. With a Pennington to Sowell throw, it was the 2 minute warning, as the Jets were at the Rams 32. Click. Karney was up the middle for 4, 1st down at the Panther 48 and the 2 minute warning. And so it went. Click. Martin for 10 as the Jets moved closer while, cllick, Conwell stepped out of bounds on a play of no gain. Click. Jordan for 3. Click. Berger kicked and the ball dead at the 2 yard line. Click. Pennington to McCareins for 10 yards, to the Ram 9. Click. Carolina tried the hook and ladder, Delhomme to Magnum who threw it laterally to Goings, out of bounds after a 20 yard gain. Click. Pennington's throw was right into Archeluta's hands, dropped; almost an interception. Click. Delhomme quickly over the middle to Muhammed for 20 and then hustling up for another of 16 yards and the away out of bounds left. Click… The Jets meanwhile kicked a field goal to tie the game. Click. With 2 seconds left, Kasay was going to try and tie it with a 60 yard field goal. It was a low kick, blocked by Bryant. It had been an exciting few minutes, but as it turned out, the Jets learned that they were in the playoffs no matter what as the Bills had lost to the backup Steelers.

Knowing this, Edward's Jets played conservative in the overtime. A Brien long field goal attempt?? Why not?? The miss gave the Rams good field position and they marched downfield for the winning kick, which put them in as a wild card or better, depending on the Seahawk outcome. The Saints also went home empty, as did the Panthers.

The rest of the day was quiet as the back up Colts were no match for the Broncos, who needed a victory for a playoff spot.

It is quite funny that in all the four wild card games, that they are all rematches or similar to division games. The Packers have beaten the Vikings twice and unless Favre is having a really bad day, they will take then down a 3rd time. The Rams have done the same to the Seahawks and a 3rd win is quite possible despite the meltdown in St Louis. That is certainly one of the worst match ups in NFL history. The Jets will visit the Chargers again, but this time, Brees and company will make it a game and will take care of business. The Colts are replaying the last week of the season against the Broncos, only this time it will be for real. Manning and company should send them home quickly. I do feel the AFC games will be closer and more exciting than the NFC games, but one can never really tell.

And talking about the NFC teams, would any of Patriot Nation wish to have an Alexander or a Moss aboard?? Alexander complained about being stabbed in the back after not being given the ball for a chance of a 1 yard score and thus losing the rushing title by 1 yard. Moss walked off the field conceding defeat and not participating in the chance of an onside kick. That is why both teams are not going anywhere. Yes, they may be great individual players, but far from what a TEAM needs. It's really quite obvious they are out of step with the team concept and what and how teams advance in the playoffs.

I do hope that RAC will finally get a head coaching job. It's good news that the Browns seem like they are interested and I'm hoping a few others will be. I would love to see him stay, but he's incredibly underrated as a coach and deserves a shot.

Hats off to the Patriot's organization for their relief fund effort and the urging of others to donate with playoff tickets as a gift. I hope other teams not only in the NFL but in other sports will do similar things so that a large amount of aid can be sent immediately.

Already, the Patriot's are looking ahead. Chris Redman is a good signing and will make backup QB competitive. Look for a few others to be signed this month; some destined for NFL Europe.

They may be looking ahead with one eye, but this team will be quite focused for the game on Sunday the 16th. There is no question about that.