why did the Steelers have to lose that game last week?

the blog revamp aside, it's been nothing if not silent over here regarding the Patriots for almost two weeks now. that isn't a show of apathy. or assumption of win. it's absolute fear.

of all the AFC teams coming into the playoffs, Jacksonville is the one i was least looking forward to facing. why? they bring that damned running game. against our aging, rather slow-moving defense. which has proven spotty at best during this shiny undefeated season. if the Jaguars exploit those weaknesses, and Jones-Drew & Taylor can break free of New England's defense, we'll never catch them -- both literally and on the scoreboard.

what i am hoping for is vintage Patriots playoff football. if the defense can step up & do what it's done at least a few times this season, and somehow make the Jaguar running game slam into a brick wall, then they can force Garrard to throw the ball a little more, hopefully causing a few more of those interceptions we saw last weekend in Pittsburgh, and use those turnovers to their advantage.

i'm less worried about the Patriots being able to put up points, even though Jacksonville brings a mean defense. it's mostly just the fear that the jaguars will come out on the top side of a shoot out.

i just can't think about it anymore, because the do-or-die mentality of the playoffs combined with facing what, i feel, is one of the most impressive teams in the AFC this post season -- well, it's just too much pressure for me. so i started thinking about meaningless topics, like wondering which officiating crew we'll get.

to get me hyped up for Saturday night's Patriot game, i have a little Brett Favre (who it appears will be back in 2009 ::happy dance::) & company at 4pm. also known as all my hopes for the Perfect Super Bowl (Green Bay/New England) on the line one right after the other. i wonder if my mental psyche is up for this...

and did i hear correctly that the Seahawks kicker is wearing electric pants for the game to keep warm? SERIOUSLY?! if i were doing that, i would never tell a soul. i thought football was supposed to be a tough sport...

::shakes head::

ok moment of comic relief has passed. if anyone needs me, i will be over there in the corner, doing my best Tito impression.