Someone once asked Wayne Gretzky what made him the exceptional hockey player he was, seemingly able to have the puck find him in advantageous spots.
His answer to the question was short and simple: “Don’t go where the puck is; go where the puck is going.”
Patriot Nation is showing a similar tack. Monday’s blowout over the Jets was cute, next Sunday’s tilt against the Dolphins will be just fine and a Wild Card showdown at home against the Jaguars should be doable.
But aren’t we all collectively skating toward the weekend of January 14-15 and a date with the Colts? Bill Belichick and his players might be taking it one day at a time, but we sure aren’t.
Before we get to a broader discussion on this date with destiny, let’s dispose of a few thoughts on the 31-21 domination of the Jets. For all of us East Coasters complaining that MNF ends too late, the Patriots did us a favor and ended this one by 9:30.
The obvious goal was to establish a running game that can be relied upon for the playoffs. Without it, any semblance of a berth in the Super Bowl would be ludicrous. It’s not so much the total rushing yardage (50 attempts for 151 yards), but time of possession (43 minutes to the Jets’ 17) and the physical pounding an opposing defense takes in the process.
The more effective the Patriots running game, the greater the chances for a championship defense to sprout up in time for the NFL’s playoff harvest. As we saw Monday, a well-rested defense puts pressure on opposing offenses and has plenty of gas for the fourth quarter.
However, the other goal for the Pats heading into this game was not necessarily accomplished – remaining injury-free. Just when the Patriots’ inactive list was finally a bunch of healthy scratches for the most part, Asante Samuel and Mr. Everything, Tedy Bruschi, got knocked out of the game with head and knee injuries respectively.
As for the issue that really matters: It’s destiny for the Colts and Pats to meet again and settle their differences. This thing between the Horseshoes and the Flying Elvii is turning into an Ali-Frazier, Sox-Yankees rivalry.
Anything less than a prize fight with the Colts would be a disappointment because, let’s face it, whoever wins that game – just as in the past two years – will likely win the whole enchilada at Super Bowl XL.
A month ago, the Patriots looked awful in Kansas City and kept crummy teams like the Saints around way too long. Like a lot of you I suspect, I now catch myself thinking the unimaginable just for a second or two before regaining my senses.
Obviously, there’s a lot that has to happen between now and then, and there is a good chance the Pats will come up short this year. But because your team is suddenly in the hunt – and with apologies to Andy Williams – it is indeed “the most wonderful time of the year.”
Enjoy it.
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