But the thing is, if you’re a gambling man, they lost again. Well, if you bet the Pats. They were a ten and a half point favorite so even the Stephen Gostkowski field goal late in the fourth only made it a ten point lead. The Pats held onto that lead but it wasn’t enough. Pats win 27-17.
All they had to do was punch it in the end zone one last time. But Belichick with the lead and the ball decided to grind out the fourth quarter by having Maroney rush the ball. Didn’t happen and the Pats were forced to punt twice. The only reason they got that field goal late in the fourth was because of a failed fourth down attempt by Miami deep in their own zone. Another failed attempt at a first down and a costly fourth and one false start left the Patriots to settle for a field goal instead of the possible touchdown that would have covered the spread.
I’m sure we’re going to hear nothing but praise for Maroney today. How he’s shaken the Sandy Vagititus finally and has proven that he’s the #1 back. Those people should be shot. Maroney proved once again yesterday that he’s a decent back when he still has energy. Come the fourth quarter when Clock Killin Corey Dillon used to shine, Maroney just looked like a turd.
Friday Bill Simmons wrote the following, when he picked Miami to win:
When’s the last time the Pats played a real team? A month ago? Expect a little rust from my boys. Also, this has all the makings of a classic Belichick “we have some big games coming up, I don’t want to give too much away in this one, let’s grind out an ugly home win” game. I hate those. Not good for my nervous system.
He was exactly right. Sure Brady tried the dagger early and was picked off but it turned into a grind it out football game. They had a six point lead heading into the half and then lost it in the third quarter. Battled back to regain the lead on a beautiful Moss 71 yard score and converted for the two points, but it took till that point in the game for the Patriots to really regain any kind of momentum.
Next week they’ll be in Indy on Sunday night (I HATE Sunday night games almost as much as Monday night games) to face the undefeated Colts. I know the Colts secondary is banged up, but I really do not have a great feeling about this game. More on that on Friday. Till then, I suppose we savor our team in first place in the division. They’re a #3 seed as of today, hopefully some Bronco, Bengal and Colt losses help the Pats move up that chart.
