The New England Patriots were staring at a golden opportunity to improve their playoff standing and chances with a big win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday but the team came up flat and empty and got routed in a turnover laden loss at Gillette Stadium. Now the team will try to once again break out of it’s win one/lose one run as it travels west on Friday to face the Seattle Seahawks this weekend at Qwest Field. The team will then stay on the West Coast as they prepare to face the Raiders in Oakland the following Sunday. Hopefully this two week western swing works out better than the last one as they really need wins in both games.
Let’s start where we always do on Tuesdays and that’s with head coach Bill Belichick’s Patriots Monday visit on WEEI.
In case you want to see some highlights from the Steelers game here is the video package from NFL.com
The loss could be even costlier though as we still do not the extent of any injury Wes Welker suffered after the brutal hit by Pittsburgh’s Ryan Clark. I’m pretty sure Clark is going to have to defend his actions in front of someone at the NFL office this week for the hit that brought a flag for hitting a defenseless receiver. Personally I think Clark gets fined and suspended for a game. The hit brought back too many memories of Darrly Stingley for long time Patriots fans. And get this, Vince Wilfork said on Dale and Holley on WEEI on Monday that Bill Belichick warned his players specifically about Clark and his penchant for late,feet leaving hits. He even showed them video of several hits by Clark that were similar to what he did to Welker. Wanna bet those clips go to the league offices?
The NFL announced on Monday that the Patriots and the Buccaneers will play in London next fall.
The Globe’s Bob Ryan says Patriots fans shouldn’t worry because the rest of the schedule isn’t that meaty.
Matthew Slater had a costly fumble that was a key part in the loss but he stood up after the game and faced the media.
On Sunday the Pittsburgh defense reigned with an iron fist.
Before Sunday’s game Patriots OL Matt Light received the President’s Volunteer Service Award. There is no truth to the rumor that Nick Kaczur is up for DEA Volunteer of the Year.
Gillette Stadium will be host to the Eastern Mass High School Super Bowls on Saturday.
Mike Reiss had the Ups & Downs from Sunday’s loss.
Eric McHugh of the Patriot-Ledger says Randy Moss blames himself for the loss.
Here’s the current NFL Playoff outlook and right now New England is on the outside looking in.
Don’t forget on Friday morning Sox & Dawgs gives you the most in depth game preview on the planet for Patriots-Seahawks Week 14 showdown in Starbucks City.
The Patriots find themselves in a second place tie in the AFC East as the teams head into Week 14 play. If the season ended today only the Jets would make the playoffs from the AFC East.
- 1. New York 8-4
- 2. New England 7-5
- 2. Miami 7-5
- 3. Buffalo 6-6
AFC East Week 14 games are:
- Patriots visit the Seahawks.
- Jets travel to San Francisco to face the 49ers.
- Bills entertain the Dolphins.
