28-21

Here it comes, a bunch of loose thoughts and ideas on a bitter end to what was a very enjoyable Patriots season while getting ready for the Red Sox... The music video at the top of the post is for Rex Ryan. The Jets coach has taken more than his share of criticism for his trash talking and bravado but he has backed it up. Yesterday's dominating win over the Patriots aside, Ryan has won 24 games in his two years as the HC of the NYJ - including four road playoff victories - and has his team in the AFC Championship Game for the second straight year. I guess Rex was right when he said he wasn't going to kiss Belichick's rings, instead he looks ready to win a few of his own. I give Ryan all the credit in the world for the Jets win. He is an emotional and brash coach but he is also a defensive genius and his players love him and want to do nothing more than prove to the world that he is one of the elite coaches in the NFL. Yesterday was a testament to Ryan's system and to the toughness of the Jets. When it counted, they were the better prepared team and deserved to win the football game. Any team that can make Tom Brady look like Rick Mirer a week after beating up on Peyton Manning is a team that can win the Super Bowl. I know that Pittsburgh must be ecstatic to avoid a trip to Gillette Stadium next week but they better be ready for Ryan's Jets because they are a hell of a football team... Once the NFL settles its labor issues and the Patriots open the 2011 season, it will be seven yeas and counting since Belichick & Co. have won a Super Bowl... I'm torn on Belichick's decision to bench Wes Welker for the team's first offensive possession after Welker made several references about feet during his press conference this week in an obvious attack on Ryan. Belichick had instructed his players to avoid getting into a war of words with the Jets. I would have liked to see the Patriots open the game with their best unit but the truth is that the Pats moved the ball better on that possession than at any time throughout the game until Brady threw his first interception since October 17. Belichick opens himself to criticism for this move but it does show that he would never put one player above the interests of the team. He demanded that his team keep their mouths shut, Welker violated that edict, and Belichick sat him for a few plays. In the long run, it is a good thing that our coach puts the best interests of his organization above those of individual players... Antonio Cromartie is a terrible father but he won his individual battle against the Patriots receivers all afternoon... Mark Sanchez has a looooooooong way to go to be considered an elite quarterback amongst the likes of Brady or Manning but he is taking giant steps towards being included in the discussion as one of the best in the business. An win over the Steelers and a Super Bowl appearance would push him closer towards the top of that list... Patriots fans will take a few weeks to recover from this loss but the truth is that the best days of this franchise are in the future. Brady is signed for four more years and it doesn't look like Belichick is going anywhere. On top of that, the corps of the team is young and many of the team's stars are in their first three years in the NFL. In April's draft, the Patriots hold six selections in the top 96 picks. That will allow Belichick to address a few of the team's needs - offensive and defensive line, outside linebacker, wide receiver, and running back could all use upgrades - while building a base of talent to take them through the rest of the decade... Along with the draft, the Patriots need to get Logan Mankins and Matt Light re-signed this offseason. The offensive line struggled to block the Jets and keep Brady comfortable in the pocket but the Pats can not afford to lose two of their building blocks on the line... My early predictions for Championship Weekend are the Jets over the Steelers and the Packers over the Bears. Yes, I'm going with two #6 seeds to advance to Dallas...