Ellis Hobbs of the New England Patriots is hugged by a fan after the player’s 95 yd TD run in a game where the Pats triumphed 49-26 over the Oakland Raiders in an AFC game played in Oakland, Ca. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/Tom Mangold ……………
We had been left for dead after Pro Bowl quarterback Tom Brady went down injured for the season. And what with last season’s debacle in the Superbowl still fresh in everyone’s minds. It was the belief that in order to redeem themselves this season they’d either have to make it back into the playoffs or at least try and show everyone that they were still capable of showing their prowess on the field. Rather than being the butt of everybody’s jokes concerning Spygate. Obviously with that being ever present in a number of people’s minds and the stain therein still not having disappeared. I’m one fan of the Pats who’s hoping that they can redeem themselves this season.
Sammy Morris of the Patriots celebrates with teammate Wes Welker after Morris’ touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during the game. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Martin Richardson ……………………
Well on Sunday with the three teams ( Pats, New York and Miami Dolphins) being in a tie atop of the division it was a chance for either of the three to separate themselves from the rest of the division or at best still be in a position whereby everything would be on the line quite possibly at season’s end. Though the advantage within the division and conference sits squarely with the New York Jets. And though we’ve seen all three teams slip up somewhat they’ve managed to maintain some semblance of competitiveness as the season has progressed. The Dolphins have proven that last season’s 1-15 record was just an aberration that’s forgotten. And the beating that they handed out to the Pats earlier on in the season all but assured their fans that this is now a team to be reckoned with. This isn’t your grandmother’s Dolphins anymore. Coach Tony Sparano along with President of Operations Bill Parcells has the team heading in the right direction. The New York Jets for their part have been rejuvenated as the Brett Favre Show has come to town. It’s the same old Brett Favre but in a new style of clothing. The same cavalier attitude that we’ve come to know of Favre is still here with the player today.
Randy Moss(81) celebrates his touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in Oakland ,California . picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/George Nitkin ………
Much has been said of the ongoing problems of the Raiders and the fact that this season their problems have manifested themselves to enormous proportions. And the team’s principal owner Al Davis seems to be botching the day to day operations of the franchise by seemingly being too overly involved in the franchise’s operations. With Tom Cable now leading the franchise for this season and one can only summize that at season’s end there may well be a change for the franchise as far its coaching opportunities are concerned. It wasn’t that long ago that the Patriots were in a similar position as that of the Raiders. And as the team struggled a resolve was in place that if the franchise were to improve then they’d have to have the right people in place from the executive positions on downwards. If there’s been one failing of the Raiders it’s been the fact that hasn’t been put in place by its hierarchy. And if they’re to fare well in the future then Davis will have to relinquish control of the franchise to someone who has the knowledge to place on the right footing. The Patriots have the template as how this can be achieved with owner Robert Kraft, GM Scott Pioli alongside coach Bill Belicheck. As they say the rest is history.

Wes Welker of the New England Patriots catches a pass as an attempted tackle is made by the Raiders’ Chris Johnson during the game. picture appears courtesy of getty images/Jeb Jacobsohn ……………….
Sunday’s game we saw both teams playing somewhat erratically and we also saw two teams going in opposite directions. The Raiders seemingly doomed for failure once again. Having conceded double digit losses for the past five consecutive years, an NFL record in the modern era. The Patriots for their part are hoping to make into the playoffs, albeit that they’ll have to hope for some assistance along the way with both the Jets and Dolphins losing at least one or two of their final games of the season down the stretch. What no one could’ve really envisaged was as the season progressed Brady’s backup Matt Cassell seemed to find his footing as the team’s signal caller. He’s been consistent to a degree but what has really been apparent with Cassell has been his calmness when placed under pressure. There’ve been those who are of the opinion that the team can prosper without Brady with Cassell as its leader. But I for one would beg to differ as with Brady you know what you’re getting and at the same time he’s big time performer on the biggest stage possible when it matters and counts the most. And that’s in the Superbowl. Until Cassell has had that sort of baptism of fire I’d say just let’s see what the young player can do for the team now. If nothing else we know that by this season’s productivity alone he’s a good player who’ll best serve the franchise well into the future should he see fit to wait his turn once Brady steps down. Or at very best he could step out of Brady’s shadow and seek to ply his trade elsewhere as a free agent.

In stride Randy Moss of the New England Patriots gets ready to run a slant route as the Raiders’ Nnamdi Asomugha looks to defend the player. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Jed Jacobsohn …………………
The main goal of the team has to be making the playoffs and then to acquit themselves well from thereon in. It’d be naive to think of them as being the favorites to win it all. As it is now they’re no more than an outsider looking in on the race as it now stands. But merely from their experience we all know what this team is certainly capable of. And if they happen to find themselves in the right set of circumstances who knows what can eventually happen ? If they are susceptible at present it’s certainly from the fact that their run offense hasn’t been consistent enough. Defensively too they’ve not been their usually stellar self, especially in the areas of the run. That being said as alluded to before merely because of the experience of the team and that of Belicheck’s prowess this team is capable of pulling off the upset. We know the capabilities of the Titans, Steelers, Colts and Broncos. But how many of these teams other than the Colts and Steelers really have that postseason experience to acquit themselves well ? Other than the two latter mentioned along with the Patriots the pickings there aren’t all that great as to the playoff contenders.

Patriots’ running back Sammy Morris (34) evades the attempted tackle of the Raiders’ Luke Lawton(44) as he gains some yardage in an NFL game played in the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, Ca. The Patriots would go on to defeat the Raiders 49-26 to sit atop of the AFC East division in a three way tie amongst the Miami Dolphins , New York and themselves. picture appears courtesy of getty images/Jed Jacobsohn …………..
So now as the season winds down it’ll be interesting to see how this team fares. If than for nothing else we’ll learn if they can survive without Tom Brady. And at the same time we’ll see whether or not there are leaders on the team other than the likes of Rodney Harrison, Tedy Bruschi, Randy Moss and Mike Vrabel. All stalwarts on the team but now they’re also having to teach and lead by example. The coaching staff itself will also have to step up to the plate and show that they too are not to be found wanting. But most of all the fans will have to be behind the team all the way with their support and it has to more vocal than ever. A team lives and dies by its play on the field but if anything they do play a hell of a lot better when they know that their fans are truly behind them 100% of the way.
tophatal ……………………………………
Great writing, how did you get your pictures in there. I am pulling for the Jets, long time Packers fan, but would love to see the Jets go and win, since its been since Jan 12th, 1967, Superbowl III. It would be awesome. But depending on who, I always go for the underdog… If I like the underdog.
I’ve seen the Raiders win one SuperBowl, and they were close a few years ago. But to their demise, the Bucs. I’ve watched the 49ers win three in the 80’s. The Patiots, the Giants, The Steelers, and so many others. I would like to see teams win that have never won.
rian
I think that this’ll be an intriguing weekend for all the teams that’ve got playoff hopes. Make no bones about it both the Pats, Jet and Dolphins know what they’ve got to do. And I expect each of the three teams to go out there and fight for it.
As to who’ll prevail is open to conjecture and debate at this juncture.
As to the pictures I just go the various sport’s or paper websites and just download the content there and then that pertains to my story.
Thanks for chimin’ in with the comments.
tophatal ……………
Well they bowed out with nothing more than a bang instead of a whimper. This off season’ll have to be one of reflection as to what might’ve been. Albeit that thety had their chances to do something fortright had they applied themselves collectively. But it was not meant to be so let’s just hope that they can learn something from this all ?
Something for the fans and players alike to think about ?
tophatal ………………..