A Writer's March ~ The Monday Analysis 11 October 2004

Three overtime games and a new King of Domination Hill. Week 5 still has some winless and undefeated teams, but we’ve got to go to Gillette Stadium first for a passing of the torch.

A 24-10 win over the helpless Miami Dolphins takes over a win streak owned by the Dolphins: 19 Consecutive wins that matter (excludes preseason).

Regardless of how you feel about this record, you have to admit that it is monumental. Even head coach Bill Belichick acknowledged it after the game.

“I told our team after the game that I was really proud of what they did,” Belichick said, his hair still damp from the Gatorade dousing by Richard Seymour and Rodney Harrison. “It is good to come out on top. But, I did tell the team that I felt they should be proud of what they accomplished and that no other team in pro football has done that. But that being said, that is not our only goal, to win four games.”

The win may have been ugly, with three receivers out of the game (Troy Brown, Deion Branch, and Bethel Johnson); quarterback Tom Brady threw only 76 yards, 7 for 19 with 2 TDs and 1 INT. The last time he’d throw under 100 yards in a game came on October 7, 2001 – against Miami. Daniel Graham and David Givens caught touchdown passes, while newly signed running back Rabih Abdullah ran for a 1-yard touchdown.

"We didn't play as good as we would like today," said Brady. "We didn't play that well on offense, but we played good defense. We held them to 10 points and we put up 24."

On Defense, the Patriots stopped Miami in the red zone several times, and with Olindo Mare out with an injury, Miami did not have a dependable kicker to make lengthy field goals if necessary.

“Defensively, they did a really good job and made a lot of big plays down there, rushing the passer, covering, goal line play,” said Belichick.

The Patriots face the Seahawks next week at Gillette Stadium, and try and keep this streak – either one – alive.

The Monday Analysis POWER Rankings

1. New England (4-0). 19 in a row or 4-0. It’s been so long since they lost people are starting to forget that feeling.

2. Philadelphia (4-0). A Bye week keeps them on top.

3. NJ Jets (4-0). It breaks my heart to see them way up top here.

4. Indy (4-1). Peyton and Co. are still a high-flying machine.

5. NJ Giants (4-1). Tom Coughlin has berated and fined his team into winning.

6. Atlanta (4-1). Losing at home to Detroit wasn’t such a good idea this week.

7. Pittsburgh (4-1). The way Ben Roethlisberger is playing, Tommy Maddox will be selling insurance again before the end of the season.

8. St. Louis (3-2). They pulled out an overtime win on the road to keep ahead in the NFC West.

9. Seattle (3-1). Losing in overtime at home against the Rams shows that the ‘Hawks are not the solid team they need to be to stay dominant down the stretch.

10. Detroit (3-1). Another road win gets them more respect.

11. Jacksonville (3-2). How do you lose to the Chargers, anyway?

12. Baltimore (3-2). Brian Billick’s Ravens are staying strong when they need to.