Eagle-Tribune Blogs: Burt Talks Sports

Here are 10 things we learned last night at Gillette Stadium in the Patriots sixth AFC Championship in seven years:

1. Laurence Maroney getting better.
Last week I said “Maroney is back.” I probably should have added … and better than ever. This really is the guy we saw on film at the University of Minnesota. He’s fast and quick, but he’s also powerful at 225 pounds. He was the key component in the 9-minute, game-clinching drive to end the game. He ran the ball six consecutive times, each with the Chargers knowing he was getting the ball. Yet, he converted two first downs on 3rd down. This adds a dimension to the offense that might be too tough to stop in Arizona.

2. Tom Brady wasn’t right.
I’ve been asked a few times already if Tom Brady was sick. I don’t know, but I wouldn’t have been surprised. The normally emotional Brady, at least on game day, didn’t have the spunk he usually totes around. The conditions were not conducive to throwing the ball. Plus, he made one really bad decision to Antonio Cromartie (in the end zone) and it appears he and Donte Stallworth weren’t on the same page on the interception by Quentin Jammer on the Chargers sideline. But, and I do say but, he finished off the eventual clinching touchdown to Wes Welker from 6 yards out. Here’s a guess, Brady is not happy with himself and you will see a very focused individual against the Giants.

3. Junior Seau and Tedy Bruschi can make plays.
These two have been much-maligned, but yesterday, especially near the Patriots end zone, both guys made game-changing plays. Seau stopped a 3rd-and-1, shooting the gap and tackling Michael Turner for a loss, forcing the Chargers to kick another field goal. And Bruschi’s knocking away of a pass from Philip Rivers to Antonio Gates was one of the best he’s made this year in the passing game. Bruschi dove and batted the ball away. Both were also good in the run defense, as the Chargers had minimal success.

4. Weather advantage to Patriots.
A few months ago, we thought the cold and wind would be a problem for the home team in Foxboro. The Chargers did not look at home on their sidelines. Nearly every player was drapped in a warm cape or parka. They just seemed a tad affected by the weather, compared to the many of the Patriots, who stood on the sidelines without a jacket or cape. Sure, the weather didn’t help Brady and the passing game, but the Patriots appeared less affected.

5. Style points don’t concern Belichick.
The Patriots coach won’t give in. He kept to his conservative game plan on both side of the ball. That means on offense, the Patriots took what the Chargers gave them, which wasn’t much. And on defense, wait for a mistake. That has been the plan the last month and a half and it didn’t change for this game.

6. Kevin Faulk does it again.
What can you say about this guy? He makes plays. His 11-yard catch on that last series, third and 11, was maybe the best catch outside of Randy Moss’ several eye-openers. Faulk streamed down the Chargers sideline and Brady threw the ball over the linebacker. Faulk cut in toward the ball in the air and dove, full out, and made a great catch. It allowed Maroney to take over the game from there. This is commonplace with Faulk. Big games he always makes at least on big play.

7. A healthy Tomlinson would have made it close, but …
Would the result have changed? Only if LaDanian Tomlinson ran wild. And he hasn’t really ran “wild” this season. But the Patriots run defense, which has picked it up a few notches in December, was dedicated to stopping the run first and that would not have changed with Tomlinson. Michael Turner, in fact, is probably the best backup running in the NFL (he is a free agent). Pats, though, were far and away the better team, winning even with an inordinate amount of mistakes.

8. You can feel the “win it for Junior” sentiment
It’s definitely there. The Junior Seau “thing” is all over the Patriots locker room. You can understand it. He is among the most liked guys in the league. The Chargers couldn’t say enough about the guy. Obviously, there is much more at stake than Junior, but the fact that he has gone a Hall of Fame career without a ring hasn’t gone unnoticed.

9. Moss can be stopped.
Or should we say, the Patriots can accept Moss being stopped because of their many weapons. Either way — I’ll accept the latter — this is the second straight week that Moss was decoy. He had only four balls thrown his way (one catch). The problem last night was the Patriots didn’t make the Chargers pay for the double coverage. The weather had something to do with it. Sure. But look for the Patriots to try and create a few opportunities for Moss in the Super Bowl. Though Moss did have a nice 14-yard run on 3rd-and-1 in the first quarter.

10. Patriots are still the best.
They didn’t look great, but again they were in control, which is the M.O. of every coach. The Giants are good team, and they were able to move the ball on the Patriots, but the problem was they couldn’t stop the Patriots offense when it counted. But there will be time to talk about that game. Right now the Patriots are one game away from a perfect season. Amazing.

If you think I left one or two out, let me know.
I’ll be checking in this afternoon.

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