16 - 0
But it was definitely NOT easy! Give credit to the New York Giants; they brought their A game and were up by 12 points in the 3rd quarter (the highest deficit the Patriots faced all season). But right after Brady & Moss failed to connect on a long pass in the fourth quarter, they connected on a 65-yard TD strike that gave New England the lead, and gave both Tom Brady and Rand Moss the record for TDs in a season at their positions (50 and 23, respectively).
Some more notes from an amazing finish to a historic regular season:
- In total, the Patriots set or tied a stunning eight NFL records and four franchise records this season. Boston.com has a list of them all in pictorials.
- As much as everyone has talked about Brady, Moss, and Welker on offense, the unsung MVP of the Patriots offense this year was Kevin Faulk (and has been for the last 9 seasons).
- The much maligned Eli Manning looked more like his older brother for most of the evening, completing nearly 70% of his passes and throwing 4 touchdowns. But he regressed at the worst possible time, throwing a crucial INT in the 4th quarter.
- Speaking of which, it must have been very satisfying for Ellis Hobbs to make that pic after being grilled on and off the field all season long for his cornerback play.
- This deserves its own post, but the No Fun League really needs to lighten up on those TD celebration penalties. The one on Moss last night was ridiculous, and it’s been a problem all season long. Like or dislike Terrell Owens, he’s been victim to a few similar penalties that shouldn’t have been called (like one for this celebration, which was just plain funny).
- I credit the Giants for playing the Patriots tough and not mailing in an otherwise meaningless game. But you just have to wonder how much it will affect them next week against the Bucs. Since Week 10, the last six opponents the Patriots have played have lost their game the following week as well. Talk about a Patriots “hangover”…
- Best line of the night: when CBS 4 Boston’s Steve Burton asked Patriots lineman Matt Light after the game if he had anything to say to the “grumpy old men” of the ‘72 Dolphins, Matt looked directly into the camera with deadpan look and quietly said, “Sorry.” Classic!
- Speaking of which, hey Mercury:
Break out your tux, buddy.
New England Patriots, New York Giants, 16 - 0, Perfect, Sweet 16, 1972 Dolphins
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