[Zen653]

For the third consecutive week, the 3-time Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots demolished their opponent with a 38-point output. Tom Brady threw four touchdown passes for 311 yards, improving his career-best quarterback rating to over 150. An indefatigable Randy Moss scored two touchdowns on 5 catches for 115 yards, the last of which was a 45-yard connection from Tom Brady. The offense ran so efficiently that the Patriots made it look effortless. What the undrafted Wes Welker lacks in size he makes up for in acumen. His lateral shuffle pass, as he succumbed to a Buffalo tackle, hearkened back to the days of Jim Thorpe, when every half-decent player would gain extra yardage that way.

On the defensive side of the ball, the ageless Junior Seau and spry free agent acquisition Adalius Thomas bulldozed their way through Buffalo's offensive line, preventing the Bills from securing many first downs. The quick first step and long arms of special teamer Ellis Hobbs made life difficult for both of Buffalo's quarterbacks. Starter J.P Losman was removed from the game after sustaining a particularly vicious (perhaps illegal) hit to the knees.

While New England's 38 points cemented the blowout, the Patriots easily could have scored 50+ on an afternoon where they got the short end of the stick on a pair of close calls (a borderline fumble by Tom Brady at the 1 yard line being one of them.) New England also had an opportunity to pad its lead during the final 8 minutes of the fourth quarter when the Patriots went to backup Matt Cassel at quarterback and opted to turn the ball over on downs rather than kick a 25-yard field goal with four minutes to play.

I've watched the Patriots win three Super Bowls and come within a minute of making it to a fourth. This team looks better than all of them.