With an unimpressive 9-3 score, you gotta be impressed with four game win streak and a 6-2 record from our New England Patriots.

The Patriot defense was a machine, and had plenty of help from the Cleveland Browns. Running back William Green was inactive for the game, and the eventual starter, Tim Couch left the game after injuring his thumb on his throwing hand, and was relieved by Kelly Holcomb who was equally ineffective.

Mike Vrabel returned to the line up in a bigger capacity this week counting for three sacks.

"We put a lot into this game," Vrabel said. "We worked all week on trying to confuse whatever quarterback was in the game."

Both Cleveland quarterbacks agreed.

"They played a lot of different looks, got into some different schemes," Couch said. "They do things to challenge you mentally."

"I got confused a couple of times," Holcomb said. "It's an emotional game and I got emotional out there. We just didn't make the plays when we needed to."

Offensively the Patriots were low key. Tom Brady threw for 259 yards, 0 TDs, Kevin Faulk ran 96 yards on 23 carries and Daniel Graham had a break out afternoon with 7 receptions for 110 yards, all helped move the chains, but nothing went into the endzone.

"Some of these weeks we're going to need to score a lot more points than we did," Brady said. "We had some opportunities, but we really just didn't take advantage. At some point, that's going to bite you in the butt."

Polishing it all off was an interception by Ty Law to end Cleveland's desperation drive at the very end of the game to try and get some points for a tie or win inside the two minute warning.

As head coach Bill Belichick said after the game, "six wins, that's not going to get anything," but playing .750 ball for the first half of the season is something. The Patriots have a big game in Denver next Monday night, and with the Broncos hurting and unable to compensate, that could be a good game to play before the bye.

Florida caught their second championship by beating the Yankees 2-0 in Game 6 in the Bronx. Even more impressive, Josh Beckett, the Marlins' starting pitcher went the distance on three days rest, striking out nine and worked all nine innings, getting the Series MVP.

The Marlins were ten days out of .500 sometime in the spring, then they brought in 72-year old Jack McKeon to manage, who led the team to a World Series victory. Oh, and yeah, this was the team John Henry used to own.

Without question all of Red Sox Nation was cheering on the Marlins, even if we weren't watching. And no one by any means feels sorry for New York. They have enough MLB championships.

BEARS (2-5) 24, Lions (1-6) 16 - FINAL: Da Bears got themselves a divisional win at the good luck renovated Soldier Field. And with beating the Lions, that only means Chicago isn't the worst team - only near the worst.

RAVENS (4-3) 26, Broncos (5-3) 6 - FINAL: Yuck. Third string QB Danny Kanell was expected to be out with the flu, leaving the spot open for someone off the street to fill in (hell, I was available). And what happens? Denver is extremely weak right now, and with the very red hot New England coming into town next Monday, the Broncos have to be wishing for a bye. But you can't just blame the offense. Jamal Lewis dashed for 134 yards on 31 carries with a touchdown. Yeah, no Rocky Mountain High these days.

BENGALS (3-4) 27, Seahawks (5-2) 24 - FINAL: So, with two straight losses, the latest being delivered by Cincinnati, do you think Mike Holmgren is scratching his head and wondering where he put that copy of his resume last season. You know, just in case he needs to update it with the good stuff while its fresh in his mind.

Titans (6-2) 30, JAGUARS (1-6) 17 - FINAL: At 1-6, I ask: Is Jacksonville better off with Jack Del Rio/Byron Leftwich than it is with Tom Coughlin/Mark Brunell? Hey, don't get all huffy, I am just posing the question. Give 'em this, though. It is tough to go against the Titans - no matter who you are. But, think about the question anyway.

Panthers (6-1) 23, SAINTS (3-5) 20 - FINAL/OT: After a blow out to end the undefeated streak, the Panthers bounced back to grab a win in overtime. But come on, it was against the Aints, who ain't the best going.

PATRIOTS (6-2) 9, Browns (3-5) 3 - FINAL: Regardless of the tight score, something which the Browns seem to draw, this was huge for the Patriots defense, especially with William Green out and the QB carousel in full effect. But we certainly could and should see more of the Patriots offense.

Giants (3-4) 29, VIKINGS (6-1) 17 - FINAL: Wow, who would have thought it would be the Giants to hand the Vikes their first loss. It just proves how unpredictable this league can be and is.

Rams (5-2) 33, STEELERS (2-5) 21 - FINAL: Not a surprising final, but you think Tommy Maddox is looking for the closest State Farm agency for a job? If he's smart he is, but he is proving just how terrible of a quarterback he has always been.

BUCCANEERS (4-3) 16, Cowboys (5-2) 0 - FINAL: Here's the proof: the World Champions are always the world champs, and Dallas is a still a dud. Also, Bill Parcells still proves that he doesn't have the long-term staying power

CARDINALS (2-5) 13, 49ers (3-5) 13 - FINAL/OT: A Battle between two bad teams in the NFC West. Let's not waste anymore time with this one than we already have.

EAGLES (4-3) 24, Jets (2-5) 17 - FINAL: Not Chad Pennington's return or Vinny Testverde's start could get the J-E-T-S a W-I-N. But let me complain to Andy Reid for a moment: 2:13 left in the game, Philly at the Jet 17 yard line, Fourth and 1, Jets have zero timeouts, score is 21-17 Philly. Do you let Donovan McNabb try to get the first down, then a touchdown to at the very least work off the clock, at the very most get a touchdown, at the worst not convert and give New Jersey crappy field position to try and come back? No, you kick the field goal. If there was ever a good time to get everyone back on the side of McNabb, and increase the confidence, it was then. Total bummer call. Incidentally, they got the field goal and New Jersey didn't have a prayer to win this one.

COLTS (6-1) 30, Texans (2-5) 21 - FINAL: How's this for tales of the Quarterback. Peyton Manning tossed three touchdowns in a three minute time frame in the late second quarter to early third quarter. David Carr left the game in the first half after going 8-9 for 62 yards and a touchdown with an ankle sprain.

CHIEFS (8-0) 38, Bills (4-4) 5 - FINAL: Most of the wins Kansas City have had this year have been close or they've just pulled them out, but this one was just a massive attack to improve to 8-0 with. And the Bills just made fools of themselves in Arrowhead.

Open date: Atlanta, Green Bay, Oakland, Washington

Carolina (6-1) at Houston (2-5), 1 PM: Dom Capers was the first head coach for the Carolina Panthers. Dom Capers was the first head coach for the Houston Texans. Dom Capers' new team will play Dom Capers' old team in Houston.

N.Y. Giants (3-4) at N.Y. Jets (2-5), 1 PM. This is rude. The Giants own the stadium, but have to play second fiddle to the Jets this week. And who will have home field advantage?

New Orleans (3-5) at Tampa Bay (4-3), 1 PM: NFC South matchup. Here's where both teams can make or break their seasons.

St. Louis (5-2) at San Francisco (3-5), 4:15 PM: NFC West matchup. The Rams are on the up and the Niners are heading down into the mines - and finding no gold.

Washington (3-4) at Dallas (5-2), 4:15 PM: NFC East matchup and a very old and bitter rivalry. Bill Parcells will be looking to school the in consistent Steve Spurrier.

Green Bay (3-4) at Minnesota (6-1), 8:30 PM: Big NFC North matchup. The key number have nothing to do with the records. IT has to do with Brett Favre's record in domes: 10-20 lifetime.

New England at Denver, 9:00 PM: The Patriots always seem to have bad luck at Mile High, but with the third string quarterback and some weak play overall from Denver, this one could be pretty good.

Open date: Buffalo, Cleveland, Kansas City, Tennessee

Offensive linebacker Kenyatta Jones was released on Sunday. Jones had been on the physically unable to perform list all season stemming from offseason knee surgery. Jones was a fourth round pick in 2001.

Safety Rodney Harrison has been fined $25,000 by the league for bumping an official in the Miami game last week.

- Buffalo quarterback Drew Bledsoe on the Bills' 38-5 loss to Kansas City.

1. I drove past Gillette Stadium twice this week and that has to rank as number one. A palace if there ever was one.

2. The Patriots are in first place in the AFC East again, following a good home win over Cleveland on a four game win streak. This is a good place to be two weeks from the bye.

3. How 'bout them Marlins, huh? And just think, John Henry used to own them.

4. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall of the Cowboys locker room after that blow out lost to Tampa. I can feel Bill Parcells' blood pressure rise to dangerous levels from here.

5. What is wrong with Drew Bledsoe? This is getting to feel like the dark Pete Carroll years up there in Buffalo. There is a ton of talent up there, and Bledsoe is at the top of the list and there is nothing happening! There must be something in the water up there.

6. If the Red Sox do not fire manager Grady Little, and I think they will, then the public will make it easy on them and just lynch Little in Boston Common. I think there is enough hate to go around the Grady Little thing to last until next year.

7. Jamal Lewis ran for 134 yards on 32 carriers (career high) and 1 TD. He has 977 yards after seven games. He could be the next 2,000 yard rusher.

8. Mike Vrabel came back to the lineup and recorded two sacks. Kevin Faulk has been battling injuries and rushed 96 yards, a career high. And this is just the beginning. Wait until the Ted Washingtons and Johnsons are back.

9. Regardless of who the Jets have under center - Testeverde or Pennington - this just isn't New Jersey's year.

10. Kansas City has a bye next week, but I looked at the remaining eight games. The Ohios (Cleveland and Cinci), then all three divisionals, with Oakland at Arrowhead, the next two on the road. Then at Minnesota with Detroit and Chicago somewhere in the mix. Their biggest challenge might not come until Week 16 against the Vikes. That's a long to go until a loss.

ejh