Talking NFL

While many reporters are looking at the Patriots chances of going undefeated (even ringing up members of the ‘72 Dolphins a couple of months early), what should also be examined now is the possibility that Tom Brady could set the single season record for touchdown passes.

After throwing for 3 more scores against the Browns on Sunday, Brady now has 16 over the first 5 games. This means he’s on pace to toss 51 touchdowns for the season, which would best Peyton Manning’s 2004 record of 49 TD passes. Here’s a quick look at the remaining teams the Patriots have to face, and how they currently rank in pass defense (based on yards per game allowed, care of ESPN):

Dallas Cowboys - 15th
Miami Dolphins - 2nd (they play twice)
Washington Redskins - 13th
Indianapolis Colts - 7th
Buffalo Bills - 32nd
Philadelphia Eagles - 17th
Baltimore Ravens - 22nd (Wow!)
Pittsburgh Steelers - 8th
New York Jets - 27th
New York Giants - 14th

It certainly appears that the next 4 weeks will be more difficult than the beginning of this season has been; however, it should be noted that the Dolphins pass defense is ranked highly because teams are finding it much easier to simply run the ball down their throats.

Also, as yesterday’s game showed yet again, Tom has an amazing knack for seeing what the defense is trying to take away from him, and then exploit a different match-up. When he had difficulty getting the ball to Randy Moss, he went to Ben Watson (6 catches, 102 yards, 2 TD’s) and Donte’ Stallworth (4 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD) instead. In addition, his offensive line kept him squeaky clean again, not letting the Browns sack him once (speaking of squeaky clean, here’s a site that’s much cleaner that this filthy one…).

So could Brady pull it off? Hey, the way the Patriots are playing right now, anything’s possible…

Tom Brady, New England Patriots, Peyton Manning, touchdown passes in a season, record

It’s official; they’re the Evil Empire.  The Borg.  Beelzebub.  Barbra Streisand.  The hell spawn that is the New England Patriots is here to kick ass and chew bubble-gum, and they’re all out of bubble-gum…

Last night Tom Brady, Randy Moss & company dismantled an already undermanned & undertalented Bengals defense to the tune of 34-13.  The Pats average margin of victory is now 25 points over their first four games, meaning that last night that number actually went down.  Lucky for Patriots fans, Rodney Harrison comes back next week, so that should help bump that margin of victory right back up.

A few more odds & ends from last night’s contest, and the league in general…

- The Patriots next opponent (at 2-2) has a better record than their first four opponents (Jets, Chargers, Bills, Bengals), who are all 1-3.  The Pats next foe?  That would be the Cleveland Browns.  Who called that one?  
(* not raising hand *)

- Early in the game, when Bengals linebacker Lemar Marshall got injured, and Mike Tirico commented that they only had 4 healthy linebackers dressed; you could go ahead and pencil in Sammy Morris’ 100+ rushing game at that point.

- Speaking of which; just an FYI - attacking an opponents weakness is not considered cheating in the NFL.

- Randy Moss had nine catches for 102 yards, becoming the first player in NFL history to have 100+ yards in receptions in each of his first four games with a new team.  That deal with the Raiders on draft day is looking about as lopsided as the Paul McCartney/Heather Mills divorce settlement.

- With all that said, the whole “Patriots could go undefeated” talk needs to stop now.  Dear Lord Kornheiser, it’s WEEK 4!  Even Jaws was laughing at you, and he’s a humorless cyborg that studies game film.

- Also, with all the praise being heaped on the Pats, let’s not overlook the fact that the Indianapolis Colts absolutely handed it to the Broncos over the weekend.  A team that at least one sports writer was foolish enough to predict would go to the Super Bowl (* cough cough *).

So here’s your completely useless Talking NFL “Power Rankings” after Week 4:

1.  Colts
2.  Pats
Everyone else

(sorry, Cowboys and Packers fans; points off for the teams you’ve played and for being in the NFC)

As for why I’ve got the Colts over the Pats; 2 reasons.  First, the Colts are the defending champs, and old school rules mean you’ve got to knock off the champ to be the new #1.  Second, bulletin board material for Belichick & crew.

Naturally…

New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, Monday Night Football, Randy Moss, freewheel burning, any Priest fans out there