Weighing In On 16-0

I'm not really sure why I haven't written anything on the Patriots until now. Maybe it's because it was pointless to debate the "will they/won't they?" question of the team trying to finish the regular season 16-0. While I very much enjoyed watching them accomplish the feat last night, it now heaps an overwhelming amount of pressure on them going into the playoffs. If they don't turn 16-0 into 19-0, how much will 16-0 really have meant?

Looking forward, there are a few teams that very well could come in to Foxboro and leave with a win. Ever since Bill Belichick failed to renew his lease in 2005, he no longer owns Peyton Manning. The Colts also bring a fast, physical, well-coached defense that is a nightmare matchup for anyone, even record-setting offenses (think the Pats 2004 defense versus 49 TD Manning). Besides the Colts as obvious challengers, the Chargers could ride LaDainian and a turnover-happy defense to a victory in the right circumstances, as long as they play about a million times better than they did in getting blown out in Week 2 this year. The Jaguars are another team with a solid running game/defense combination, but their offense may not be strong enough to keep up with New England's.

The other problem, as has been shown in the last few weeks of the regular season, is that a bad weather game is a detriment to this team's historic offense. Laurence Maroney has given them a nice running game the last few weeks in those situations, but that was against the putrid Jets and the abysmal Dolphins, and I don't think the Pats get to play them again in the playoffs. The offense, which is the key to the team's ability to win, becomes exponentially less explosive in the bad weather. All three of the teams listed above may actually be better off than the Patriots in a foul weather game, because they've all got better running games. (Note: I'm a little surprised to see Indy in 16th in the league in rushing, and my head exploded a little bit to see the Patriots in 10th, but still, Addai vs. Aging NE Defense is more likely to succeed than Maroney vs. Fast, Strong IND Defense)

I guess the point of this post is simple enough: all the 'Yahdood' idiots who happen to follow these Patriots had better not be celebrating 16-0 too heavily, because it's anything but a free pass to the Super Bowl. It's been mostly nice so far, but I'm not celebrating until the Lombardi trophy is on stage with Bob Kraft in Arizona.