Patriots Report: Week 6 & 7

I didn't make any crazy predictions last week about the Pats/Titans game. It's a good thing too, because I would have come up with something like Pat 38-10.

And then how embarrassing would that have been?

The greatest shutout in post-merger NFL history -- 59-0. All that happened by the third quarter -- a record. Most points in a half -- 45-0. Most points in a quarter -- 35-0.

And on and on we could go. Too many firsts to count. In fact, this game may hold the record for the most records. It could have been a 90-0 game, if Belichek hadn't shown his well-known sensitive side.

The largest shutout in NFL history was in the 1940 NFL Championship game when the Chicago Bears defeated the Washington Redskins 73-0. If it were me, I would have gone for the record. "Why not? We are here and in uniform." That's what I would have said.

It makes up for the time I sat on a cold metal bench on New Year's Eve in 1978 and watched the Pats lose to the same team (then called the Oilers) in a lopsided divisional playoff game. Fittingly, this game was played in an October snowstorm.

So next week the Patriots participate in the annual travesty known as the London Bowl where we ugly Americans try to force our stupid sports on Londoners and whoever else who happens to be unfortunate enough to watch the Pats beat up on another excuse for a once great professional sports franchise called the Bucs.

This time they may spot the opposing team some points simply so the Brits won't think we are bloody daft.

My Prediction:

Pats 35
Bucs 9

Then it's a bye-week and then it's on to Miami!

I challenged my Miami fan friend, Barack Abdul Ali to spring for two tickets, but offered to pay for both of them plus all gas if the Dolphins won. So far, he is cowering behind an automatic email reply message.

Patriots Report: Week 5

Last week --

I predicted - Ravens 21 Pats 20
Final score - Pats 27 Ravens 21

As Maxwell Smart would say, "Missed it by that much!"

Not a lot to say about the Broncos. The Broncos are undefeated and look to be a tough team to beat in Mile High Stadium. (I know it's not still called that exactly, but unless they are paying me or I like the product, I don't mention sponsors.)

The Broncos are good, but the Pats should have this one easily. Recent history shows that Belichek knows all their weaknesses. Brady should be back to form by the fifth game. The line is Pats by 3.5. I give them two touchdowns on top of that using my "Calgon ancient Chinese secret" method.

Then it gets easier after this week -- at least for few weeks.

THIS WEEK

Patriots 35
Broncos 17

UPDATE: The Red Sox season is over. Let's go Pats! Bruins! Celtics!

Patriots Report: Week 4

Last week's prediction.

I predicted - Pats 28 Falcons 14
Final score - Pats 26 Falcons 16

In my AFC East 2009/2010 preview, I wrote that in order to go to go 13-3, the Patriots would have to win one of four tough games, the Falcons being one of them. The unexpected loss to the Jets made me change my mind. The Ravens I did not count on being so good, so I am now reversing this one as well.

THIS WEEK

Ravens 21
Patriots 20

I'll admit this is a tough one. I haven't predicted that the Pats would lose in over two years. I've been right 29 out of 35 times. But this one has been nagging at me. I just don't like this match up at this time.

I didn't see the Ravens as being such a strong team, but they are better than the Pats at this point in the season. Their defense has been stellar and Tom Brady isn't clicking on all cylinders yet. So I must predict a loss.

The Jets will probably win against New Orleans, which means that the Pats will be down two games come Monday.

Ouch!

Two things could reverse that scenario.

1. The Pats defense, which has been much better than expected, could hold the Ravens to one touchdown.

2. Brady could have his inevitable break-out game.

That's all they have to do. Hold the opposition to one touchdown per game and with "Brady being Brady," they'll go undefeated all the way through Superbowl XLIV.

But a loss tomorrow is not the end of the season. This is going to be a classic and exciting New England team that will mature and improve as the season wears on.