you all just keep telling yourselves the Patriots aren't really that good, ok?

i didn't get to see the Patriots play this weekend. not because i was at WDW so much as because they didn't show the game in my area anyway. from what i understand, the Patriots won with no Moss TDs, because the Browns were busy double teaming him. leaving multiple options from the rest of the receiving corp weapons open for Brady to select. i love the way this team is built. they've played games with key defensive components missing, and just as i suspected, if you take away Moss, it just means you're leaving someone else wide open. my fantasy team would have appreciated that person being Wes Welker but... ::shrugs::

so undefeated, they march into Dallas. where one 5-0 will leave with a "one" in the L column. after watching MNF, and the Cowboys' stunning come from behind win with twenty seconds on the clock, i hope the Patriots were watching MNF too -- and taking notes. (that's legal, right?) i can't believe that rookie got iced on a field goal kick that was ten yards longer than his career best (kicked earlier in that game, no less), and then nailed it right between the uprights a *second* time, with distance to spare! it was an exciting ending, though heartbreaking for Buffalo. i think we've seen some of Romo's weaknesses now, and i hope the Patriots have the opportunity to exploit them on Sunday.

the Packers didn't fare so well this week, unfortunately. i don't know if it was the Bears defense rediscovering itself, while the Bears offense finally came together; a bad day for Favre, and some sloppy play from a defense, that while much improved over last season, is still young & prone to costly errors; or some combination of the above. it wasn't fun to watch. but it was one game. if they can come back out this week and play like they did in games one through four, it will be nothing but the aberrations that occur during any given season.

i do want to get something straight though, because i always struggle with double standards. so... when the Colts have long winning streaks in a weak division consisting of the Texans & the Titans, we're supposed to talk about how wonderful they are because it's not the Colts fault they have an easy schedule, while we roll our eyes at the Patriots who are scrambling for every win it seems, and are clearly not a team to be taken seriously. but this year when both teams start 5-0, the Patriots are criticized for "not playing anyone yet" while we sing the praises of the Colts who have won against, let's see... the poor Saints that everyone is abusing; barely pulling off a win against the Titans; being given a real run for their money by Houston who was playing without its best receiver; a decent showing against Denver; and a win over the Bucs who happen lead a pretty weak division. never mind that the smallest margin of points the Patriots have won by is seventeen. it's the Patriots who haven't shown anything impressive yet. right. ok, i think i've got it now. i guess we'll have to see what happens in Week Nine, because i suspect that if the Patriots manage to depart Dallas still undefeated, we'll be told that "they did just play a far less superior NFC team, after all."

that's all right though. the Patriots don't need any respect from the rest of the NFL. i hope Indy is feeling good & smug by the time the Patriots arrive.