Monday, January 17, 2005

Don't be surprised if the Patriots are reigning Super Bowl champs next time local fans trek to the Razor. In a near-perfect game yesterday, the devoted sons of Bill Belichick grounded the heretofore high-flying Indianapolis Colts, 20-3, advancing to the AFC Championship game in Pittsburgh next Sunday night. A win against the Steelers at Heinz Field would put the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX Feb. 6 in Jacksonville, Fla., with a chance to earn dynasty status by winning a third championship in four seasons.

"It was an awesome performance," said Belichick, a man incapable of hyperbole (think Mike Dukakis with a whistle around his neck). "The second half was certainly our best 30 minutes of football this season. To hold a team like that to 3 points, that's a good defensive effort."

Maybe the signs and the chants were a little harsh during New England's 20-3 pounding of the Colts and Manning yesterday, which punched New England's ticket to the AFC Championship game Sunday at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

"After the game you will get your ring -- suffer-ring," read one. The crowd was yelling "Cut that meat! Cut that meat!" in reference to Manning's ad campaign in which he cheers for the common folk while they're performing their jobs.

The NFL MVP was just that yesterday -- common. Manning, (27 of 42, 238 yards, 1 interception) was unable to lead his vaunted offense to the end zone, and his longest completion was 18 yards.

For the second season in a row, Manning and his teammates were eliminated from the postseason by a better-prepared and more physical team.

What transpired here yesterday was truly stunning. New England lined up against the top quarterback in the league without two of its best players in the secondary (Ty Law and Tyrone Poole) and star defensive end Richard Seymour in street clothes. The Colts lined up with a fleet of receivers (Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Brandon Stokley) that are known for their speed, their cunning, and their experience. And yet, the longest completion Manning threw all day was 18 yards.