Random Thoughts (December 2, 2009)

The Patriots loss to the Colts was painful for two obvious reasons: giving up a fourth quarter lead and Bill Belichick's decision to run a play on 4th-and-2 from his own 28. That decision gave Peyton Manning a short field and less than two minutes later, the Colts scored the winning touchdown. After that loss, however, there was still optimism in New England. Sure, the Pats had blown a big game but many believed that if given a second chance, Tom Brady & Co. would trump the Colts. That optimism is a lot weaker this week following the beating the Pats suffered on Monday night in New Orleans. The manner in which Drew Brees and the Saints tore apart the Patriots defense in their 38-17 victory surely means that the 2009 season will not end with a Duck Boat parade down Boylston Street. Or does it? Yes, the Pats were humiliated but it was only one game. Let's look back at the Super Bowl winners of this decade and the big (10 points or more) losses they suffered on their way to the Lombardi Trophy:

• 2008 Steelers (lost 31-14 to the Titans in Week 16)
• 2007 Giants (lost 45-35 to the Cowboys in Week1, 35-13 to the Packers in Week 2, 41-17 to the Vikings in Week 12, 22-10 to the Redskins in Week 15)
• 2006 Colts (lost 44-17 to the Jaguars in Week 14)
• 2005 Steelers (lost 26-7 to the Colts in Week 12)
• 2004 Patriots (lost 34-20 the Steelers in Week 8)
• 2003 Patriots (lost 31-0 to the Bills in Week 1)
• 2002 Buccaneers (lost 20-10 to the Eagles in Week 7, 17-7 to the Steelers in Week 16)
• 2001 Patriots (lost 30-10 to the Dolphins in Week 4, 31-20 to the Broncos in Week 7)
• 2000 Ravens (lost 19-6 to the Dolphins in Week 3)

This list in no way makes a case that the Patriots will win the Super Bowl but it does show that every champion of the past decade has suffered at least one bad loss during the season...

Billy Wagner will sign a contract with the Braves, pending a physical exam.

Losing Wagner does hurt the Red Sox bullpen for 2010 but they will receive draft pick compensation from Atlanta. With the success rate of Theo Epstein at the top of the draft - Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Daniel Bard, and Clay Buchholz have all made impacts in Boston shortly after being drafted - losing Wagner may not be such a big loss...

No NFL Random Thoughts this week because I was working the bar and did not get to watch as much football as I had hoped. However, here is this week's edition of the "Super Seven"

1. Minnesota Vikings (10-1)
2. New Orleans Saints (11-0)
3. San Diego Chargers (8-3)
4. Indianapolis Colts (11-0)
5. New England Patriots (7-4)
6. Arizona Cardinals (7-4)
7. Cincinnati Bengals (8-3)

Tiger Woods' personal life is not our business but I find it to be irresponsible that he was allowed four days to get his story straight by police officials in Florida after his car accident on Friday...

Thursday football pick: Jets (-3) over Bills...

This story is not as shocking as it should be...

Enjoy Corey Lowe tonight...