That was close

It came down to the last play of the game, but Tom Brady and his New England Patriots managed to hold on to keep their undefeated season alive.

But I never expected that they'd come so close to losing against the Baltimore Ravens. The Colts, yes, but the Ravens?

ESPN's Len Pasquarelli has a great rundown of the Patriots' fortunes during the last two minutes of the game. Despite the complaints of the Ravens, though, who were saying that the officials gave the game to the Patriots, the calls made against the Ravens in that last drive were totally valid.

The Pats probably shouldn't have won this game. But they did. Which is why I think they'll squeak out a 16-0. The gods are smiling on them.

But Sunday's game - Week 13 of the season - is against the Pittsburgh Steelers. That game will not be a cake walk. At least the Pats are at home.

What do you think? Can the Patriots get past the Steelers on Sunday? Give us your opinion in the comments.


LUNCH: clubhouse and chips

Patriots still perfect

Well, I didn't get to the computer to post after the big game on Sunday. Blame the excitement of a second half comeback and a few too many pints during the celebration for my absence.

After a breakfast meeting Monday I was off to the airport to get on a plane back home.

So I'm only now getting a chance to reflect on the game.

I'll admit that I wasn't the most positive of monkeys at the half. The two pass interference calls made on the Patriots nearly killed me, and I mistook Brady's steely glare for frustration, when I should have known it was resolve.

Next time I'll know better.

At the end of the game, Peyton Manning didn't even bother to take off his helmet. Trying to hide tears, maybe?

Now for a week off, before coming back to round out the season with another string of victories.

16-0 here we come!

It's B-Day

Yes, I know there were CFL games this weekend, but other than the Argos locking up the East Division title, the games didn't mean much.

This weekend, though, is all about the NFL, and more specifically, all about the New England Patriots and the Indianpolis Colts. That game starts in just under an hour.

I'll report back after the game.

BTW, "B" is for Brady.


LUNCH: A big, coronary-inducing plate of chili-cheese fries

Countdown: Tom versus Peyton

Despite the fact that these guys don't like each other, they are surprisingly civil about it.

In fact, they are both going out of their way to compliment each other, as the quotes in this article prove.

I almost wish there was some trash talking going on, but you're never going to get that from guys like Tom and Peyton. Their mothers taught them manners.

Countdown: Tom versus Peyton

Four sleeps to go.

Nobody seems surprised that the Colts - undefeated this season, 12 straight home game victories, and Super Bowl champions - are underdogs against the Patriots.

That's because the Patriots are that good.

Sure, their game in Indianapolis will be their toughest of the season, but does the word juggernaut mean anything to you?

"You can't stop the Juggernaut!"

Make no mistake, either, there is no love lost between Tom and Peyton. They really don't like each other. This time, it's personal.

Ain't it always.

Tom versus Peyton

Only five more sleeps until the game of the year.

Are you ready?

It turns out I'm going to be on the road, too, so won't be in front of my nice big flatscreen to watch the Patriots crush the Colts. Guess I'll be trolling the streets of Montreal for a decent sports bar.


LUNCH: Cobb salad

Football, football, and more football

So the NFL season opened tonight. The Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts kicked the New Orleans Saints all around the field, 41-10.

I'm not a big fan of Peyton Manning. The only reason I was glad the Colts won in February was because I really hate Rex Grossman, who wants everyone to call him a quarterback for some reason. Oh how the Bears have fallen since the late '80s.

I'll admit to being a bit surprised that the Saints didn't perform better tonight. Drew Brees is a decent quarterback and with Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister as backs, how could they only post 10 points?

Still, it's early yet, right? There's still time for America's Team to strut their stuff?

In CFL news, Casey Printers is back. Oh joy. The whiner left the Kansas City Chiefs and ended up in Hamilton. The B.C. Lions, where Printers got some great experience, didn't even make an offer for him. That tell you something? (Some will say it was a salary cap issue that kept the Lions out, but I don't buy that.)

Wonder how Jason Maas feels about the Ticats being so excited about Printers.

And finally, I'm looking forward to the Stamps-Eskimos rematch tomorrow night. The Stamps, who tried hard to lose the Labour Day Classic on Monday, snatched a win from the Eskimos, who didn't bother showing up in the second half.

Tomorrow, only four days later, the two teams meet again, in Edmonton this time. I think the game is called the Shrine Game, or something like that. Anyone out there know?

It'll be a doozy.


LUNCH: all-beef hot dogs