Eagle-Tribune Blogs: Burt Talks Sports

Let’s get right to them:

1. The New England Patriots can run the ball.
It was a lingering question. And while it was against the Jets (30th in NFL, allowing 141 yards per game), because of the weather the Jets knew it was coming and couldn’t shut it down. It wasn’t a great day running the football, but considering the conditions it was a good one (135 yards). The Patriots controlled the game, like the old days, because the Jets couldn’t stop them.

2. The Patriots defense is improving.
After two awful performances against the Eagles and Ravens, when they allowed 52 points combined, the Patriots have gone back to their stingy, bend-but-don’t-break ways, allowing 13 and 10 points in games against the Steelers and Jets. The Patriots defense hasn’t given up a big play in two games.

3. Bill Belichick really, really wanted the win.
Did you see the smile as he ran to meet with Eric Mangini for the historical handshake? Belichick was not beaming so much because his Patriots beat the Jets. He was happy about the big picture: Homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, the running game finally showed it can win a game and the undefeated record is now within their grasp.
This allows the Patriots a lot of options. Don’t be surprised to see guys like Troy Brown and Chad Jackson be activated the next two weeks trying to find that one guy who might make a difference if need be.

4. Winning more important than records.
We thought Belichick was going to send Tom Brady and Randy Moss on a touchdown parade yesterday. Of course, the weather didn’t help. But again we saw how unimportant records are, at least when winning a game as significant at yesterday. This might mean the Belichick will go for the records now that the games don’t mean anything special in terms of positioning.

5. Richard Seymour looked very good again.
Where has Seymour been lately? Apparently, despite his name not showing up on the injury report, he must not have been at full health. Yesterday, though, he appeared to be quicker than he’s been since his return on Oct. 28. His pressure on Kellen Clemens in the end zone on the Jets first series ended up being the key play of the game, as Eugene Wilson intercepted the ball at the 5-yard line and scored. Seymour is not about stats. He is about drawing double teams and allowing others to make plays. He did that yesterday as well as making a few plays of his own.

6. Eugene Wilson is alive.
Another guy who was picked up at the lost-and-found at Gillette Stadium yesterday. Wilson was a Pro Bowl player in the making until mediocre play (2005) and injuries (2006 and 2007) have dropped him down a bit on the depth chart. The interception return for a touchdown and his fumble recovery on the Pats 10 early in the third quarter (Pats were leading 17-7) were two of the top five plays of the game. With starter James Sanders out with an injury, Wilson proved to be an admirable fill-in.

7. Fans who throw snowballs on field should lose season ticket privileges.
Some Patriots fans are knuckleheads. I understand throwing snow in the air after a big play. That’s funny. I don’t understand throwing snow balls, really ice balls, at people on the field. The game was halted for five minutes as the referees waited for the stupid act to stop. If there are indeed cameras at the stadium, I would be for removing season-ticket privileges for people who threw the snow/ice. Idiots with a capital “I.”

8. Pats offensive line might be best in NFL.
They’ve shown they can not only protect Brady (he has been sacked only 17 times, once in the last two games) and give him ample time to find his receivers, but yesterday they showed they can help the Patriots backs pound the ball when the weather warrants, and it might still over the next month. But the bottom line is protecting Brady, which when it happens is usually death for the opposition.

9. Coach sent message to Maroney.
I wrote about this in today’s newspaper. Maroney has been getting the “soft” tag this season, after some disappointing efforts since his injury in September. But yesterday was a big jump in the right direction. He wasn’t great, but he was tough. The Patriots needed to know that Maroney can carry the load, especially in foul weather, and he did an admirable job. This at least forces the opposition to prepare a little more for the Patriots running game the next month or so.

10. Weather or not, Patriots still the best.
If the Patriots do go undefeated and run through the playoffs without a loss, then the “ugly” nature of yesterday’s game will be forgotten. It’s about winning. And the despite the score being close, the game really wasn’t. The Patriots showed a lot yesterday. They were able to put “The Greatest Show on Turf II” in the holding tank and win the old-fashioned way … ball-control, clock control and defense. It was not a good day for the competition.

If you have any thoughts, comments and/or disagreements let me know.

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