By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies Editor
Not that we were THAT worried.
But we can breathe easier knowing this year is better than last. The Patriots clinched the AFC East after absolutely dominating the Jaguars, and earned themselves a spot in playoffs. And it’s looking like they’ll be at a decent seed too.
After weeks of performances that didn’t reach the expectations of Patriots fans, the Pats finally showed up in shoes from season’s past. Brady, throwing as many interceptions as touchdowns lately, threw for four td’s, and Moss, recently criticized for not giving his all on the field, was on the end of three of those, shutting up the media and Carolina defensemen. The Pat’s easily took their clinching victory, beating Jacksonville 35-7.
Sammy Morris and Chris Baker scored the other two, and the Pats picked off two interceptions in the game, one on the Pats five-yard line. The only really awful moment of play was just minutes into the first quarter when Maroney fumbled (his 4th of the year) on Jacksonville’s one-yard line.
Even more exciting today was that the Giants lost to CAROLINA 41-9. Not only did they lose to one of the leagues worst, but they got absolutely slaughtered, and probably lost [...]

By: Scott Jackson, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
The Pats finally got it done on the road.  The team beat the Buffalo Bills 17-10 in Orchard Park.  Quite a nice early Christmas present for Kraft’s Kingdom.
Quarterbacks:
Tom Brady’s 115 yard performance was his worst of the year.  True, Tom is banged up.  And, as usual, is under near constant pressure.  Neither of these factors make Brady’s job any easier.  But at the end of the day, New England won.
My Grade: C
Runningbacks:
The corps made one of the leagues worst ground defenses look like one if its best.  The Bills D allows a league-worst 4.8 yards per carry on the year, but the Pats ‘backs averaged only 3.2 per.  They’ll be getting some coal in their stockings tomorrow morning.
My Grade: D
Receivers/Tight Ends:
Great touchdown reception by Randy Moss in the second quarter.  Randy finished with 70 yards on five grabs.  While Moss was criticized, incorrectly, about his effort against Carolina, he’s the only one who really showed up Sunday.  Wes Welker tripped himself up twice, and Sam Aiken let two deep throws fall through his hands.  As for the tight ends, no balls went their way, but they did a solid job blocking.
My Grade: C
Offensive Line:
The Bills [...]

By: Scott Jackson, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
The Patriots got back to their winning ways against the Panthers. The Pats downed the Cats 20-10, snapping a two game cold streak.
Quarterback:
Not a bad week for Tom Brady. His second son was born, and he got a much needed win. His numbers weren’t bad, throwing for 192 yards and a touchdown, while completing just over half his attempts. Not Joe Montana numbers, but not JaMarcus Russell numbers either.
My Grade: C
Runningbacks:
Great game for the corps. Ran wild over the Cats, for 187 total yards. Kevin Faulk scored the game’s tying touchdown, and Laurence Maroney managed to keep hold of the ball all game. Sammy Morris did fumble, but also did a great job run blocking.
My Grade: A
Receivers/Tight Ends:
Wes Welker grabbed ten passes for 105 yards. At this point his name should start popping up in MVP talk, but it won’t. Randy Moss was nearly shut-out, but that was a result more of Carolina’s scheme than a lack of effort on Moss’s part. The tight ends shined in this one. Ben Watson caught three passes, and made an excellent catch for the go-ahead touchdown. My [...]

By: Andrew Bruss, YawkeyTalkies Correspondent
Even with a 20-10 win over the North Carolina Panthers under their belt, all is not well in the world of the New England Patriots. True, Randy Moss has been underperforming, and word of Tom Brady possibly having a bad shoulder are concerning enough, but the real problem lies in the drama. In-fighting, trash talking, and baby-mama-drama have all contributed to a season that has many Pat’s fans worrying about post-season prospects in a way New Englander’s haven’t since the days of Drew Bledsoe.
Incomplete passes and interceptions have proven to play a big part of the problem on the field, but for a sport as combative as football, the moral of the troops is just as significant as the force of the blitz.  Herein lies the problem.
For every interception Brady has thrown, Pat’s fans everywhere have been asking, “What’s going through his mind?” With a pregnant wife at home, that question was answering itself.  Plenty of folks are hoping that now that Brady and Gisele are proud parents, the cornerstone of the Patriots offense will be more capable of keeping his mind on the game.
But aside from Brady’ attention span, clubhouse politics have taken [...]

By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies editor
What’s buzzing on that yawkey talkie today?

Tom Brady defends Moss’ honor. Carolina defense accussed Moss of quitting on the Pats on Sunday. While admitting he had one of the worst games of his career, Brady reminded fans that Moss is still one of the best players in the NFL: ”He’s one of the top receivers in the league right now.  ”He is up there in yards and catches and touchdowns. Every game plan that the defense comes up with is trying to stop Randy Moss. … It’s not like they don’t have respect for him when their game plan is built around stopping him… Randy is one of the best players in the history of the NFL. When it doesn’t go perfect out there, everyone wants to jump on Randy. It’s all of us, and we all have to do a better job.”

Sox send Lackey in for a physical, possible signing? He’s part of the reason our season ended in an embarrassing Divisional Series sweep. Former Angels right-handed pitcher John Lackey reportedly had a physical for the Sox, suggesting that an agreement is close. Reaching a deal with Lackey could mean the Sox will terminate their pursuit re-signing of [...]

By: Scott Jackson, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
Times may be tough for the Patriots.  But at least they’re not the Steelers.  The defending champs likely won’t make they playoffs after dropping four straight, including losses to Oakland and Kansas City.  Always look on the bright side of life.
Quarterbacks:
Tom Terrific had two touchdowns and 277 before morphing into Tom Terrible, throwing two interceptions down the stretch.  His stats would’ve been better had Sam Aiken been able to hold onto two deep throws.  But that’s the risk you run when throwing to Sam Aiken.
My grade: C

Running backs:
Laurence Maroney averaged 3.2 yards per attempt on 13 carries.  Designated short yardage back Sammy Morris couldn’t deliver on fourth and one.  As I’ve said on my radio show, the Pats inability to run the ball when teams expect the run (aka New England has the lead and tries to run out the clock) is the team’s Achilles heel (more like Achilles leg it’s so obvious).  So yes, you fantasy owners can gloat when Maroney scores early, but his inneptitude late is costing the team.
My grade:  D
Wide Receivers:
Some good plays from this group early, including a 58 yard score (Moss) and an 81 yard score (Aiken).  Things went [...]

By: Scott Jackson, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
What a poor game for the Patriots.  If you look up the definition on blown-out, you’ll probably see Monday’s game as an example.  The team hadn’t played this bad in the bayou since Super Bowl XX, when the Bears downed the Pats 46-10.
Quarterbacks:
Tom Brady struggled mightily in this one.  Terrible Tom threw two interceptions.  The first was an excusable throw while being flushed from the pocket.  The second was a desperation heave with needing points badly.  On the plus side, Brian Hoyer didn’t look too bad.
My grade: D+

Runningbacks:
Sure. Laurence Maroney scored two touchdowns (clinching a victory in fantasy football for fellow columnist Dan Massar).  But he also coughed up the ball again (though in his defense he forced a fumble to take the ball back).  Sammy Morris was a near non-factor in his return.  Kevin Faulk made some plays in the passing game, as usual.
My grade: C-
Receivers/Tight Ends:
The Saints defensive back corp was whittled down for this one because of injuries.  You wouldn’t have known this watching the game, as Randy Moss and Wes Welker were both effectively covered all game.  It’s never good when Sam Aiken is your leading receiver.  The tight ends were [...]