Eric Heise dot Com ~ The Monday Analysis 19 December 2005 ~ A Writer's March

What a wild football weekend! Playoff spots were won and loss left and right. Streaks extended and others ended. But first, there's a Defense living in Foxboro, and they're wearing Patriots uniforms.

Want more numbers? They beat the Bucs 28-0. Goose-egged. And Tampa is a good team, was leading

the NFC South. More numbers? The Patriots have outscored opponents during this little streak 79-10.

"It's huge for us. We haven't really played a good game against a good opponent with a good record," tight end Christian Fauria said. "We needed to keep winning and trying to get better in December."

Head coach Bill Belichick also remained low-key, and kept the game result in focus.

"We're happy that we've done that (clinching the AFC East title) and now we'll still take it one week at a time and do everything we can to keep improving as a football team," Belichick said after the game.

"I think we have gotten better in the last month since probably, well, I think we made progress the middle of the season, but since the Kansas City game, that was really a pretty poor performance, coaching and playing."

Chris Simms was 21-34 for 155 yards with 2 fumbles. He was also sacked 7 times, twice by Willie McGinest and twice by Tedy Bruschi. Mike Vrabel, Artrell Hawkins, and Rosevelt Colvin also had sacks. Simms knows who just beat him.

''Until someone beats them in the playoffs, they're the best team in the NFL,'' Simms said. And his head coach Jon Gruden echoed the comment.

"Who doubts them? Right now the people that doubt them, let’s put their names in the newspaper so New England knows who they are. I don’t know how you doubt them. They have the best quarterback in the league," Gruden said. "The coach is a great coach, and they are a physical, veteran-laden team. They are a handful. That is my opinion."

Tom Brady was 20-31 for 258 yards, 3 TDs. His first touchdown pass was to offensive lineman Tom Ashworth playing fullback. It was Ashworth's first NFL reception.

"He's a pretty versatile player," Belichick said, "and he has some experience in our system, played tight end in college and all of that. He is used to playing on the end of the line, not so much in the backfield."

David Givens also came up big with six receptions for 137 yards and a score. Corey Dillon had limited yardage on the ground - 19 carries for 48 yards - but had a touchdown on the ground and one in the air.

"I think there has definitely been improvement in a lot of areas," Tom Brady said. "I think we are still looking to improve. It's like we have our stretches in every game where there are things that go really well and you build some momentum, and then we have a few stretches where we just kind of shoot ourselves in the foot."

The Defense played aggressive once again, and took advantage of an inexperienced quarterback.

"We knew what was at stake when we stepped out on the field," said linebacker Rosevelt Colvin. "Guys were flying around making plays." Colvin has recorded a sack in four straight games.

With the win, the Patriots clinch the AFC East, but Tedy Bruschi wasn't impressed with the t-shirt.

"This is what you get for clinching the division," Fauria said. "You get a hat and I also got a T-shirt so it doesn't really mean anything. It doesn't put a ring on your finger. It doesn't get you into the Super Bowl."

The Monday Analysis POWER Rankings

1. Indy (13-1). What annoyed me the most about the Mannings, and it is the big reason why I am sipping Champaign with the '72 Dolphins today, is that with :31 seconds left, the Colts offense came on to the field down by nine points, and ran plays to try and get a score. Indy, you lost. Why risk injury to try and preserve your pathetic pride? Sad, sad, sad.

2. Seattle (12-2). They host Indy next week. You think the 'Hawks aren't going to be fired up about slamming the Colts? You betcha!

3. Denver (10-3). Winning with efficiency, and nearing towards the AFC West crown.

4. Cincinnati (11-3). A Division Title T-shirt for Marvin Lewis.

5. Carolina (10-4). Carolina might be even quieter than Seattle these days.

6. Chicago (10-4). Complete control of the NFC North.

7. New England (9-5). Big win on Saturday for a third straight win. One of the hottest teams running.

8. NJ Giants (10-4). One step closer to the NFC East title.

9. Pittsburgh (9-5). Big win over Minnesota this week. Good thing the Steelers stayed away from cruise ships this year.

10. Tampa Bay (9-5). Jon Gruden took a big step backwards on Saturday with the goose-egg loss to New England. Got to do better than that, Jon.

11. Jacksonville (10-4). Looking to wrap up a Wild Card spot.

12. San Diego (9-5). Huge win over Indy tosses them back on this list.