#1 in this week’s BCS standings? the New England Patriots

52 points. 60 minutes. That’s a lot of points. That was the New England Patriots on Sunday.

So, how bad was it for the Redskins? Well, the game was theoretically over in the second quarter, and was literally over by halftime (24-0 Patriots at that point). But the bigger question this week, until we get continually bombarded with Colts vs. Patriots news, is, “Did the Patriots run up the score?” In one word…Yeah. In two words? Hell yeah.

Let’s review some of the late “highlights” from Sunday, shall we?

… kept Brady on the field for an 88-yard drive six minutes into the fourth quarter despite already leading 38-0. On that 14-play drive, the Patriots went for a fourth-and-1 at the Redskins’ 7 and ordered a 35-yard bomb to Randy Moss.

… went for a fourth-and-2 at the Redskins’ 37 on the next possession while leading 45-0. Backup QB Matt Cassell hit Jabar Gaffney with a 21-yard pass. Two plays later, Cassel scrambled for a 15-yard touchdown run to open up a 52-0 lead.

Sunday not enough evidence for you? what about the late TD score in the Dallas game? or Tom Brady coming back into last week’s 49-28 victory against the Dolphins? Bill Belichick is clearly violating one of the unwritten rules of football, “You don’t kick teams when they’re down, or when the game is over”. But why? is this really all because of spygate? Are the Patriots really declaring revenge on the league…because they got cheating? Are you kidding me? Look, Mr. Belichick, we all know that the Patriots are good. Hell, they’re better than good, they’re arguably playing the best football of any team in the last 20 years. But, as you should know, there is a right way and a wrong way to win, and it seems like you are dangerously close to over stepping the line.  To everyone arguing “If you don’t like it, stop them” or “There’s no mercy rule in the NFL”, I say, please re-think what you are saying.  There is such a huge difference between kicking a field goal or running the ball to keep the clock going and throwing deep balls with a 6 touchdown lead.  And, heaven forbid it, but, what if Tom Brady gets injured with 10 minutes left in the 4th quarter of that game?  Someone please explain the Patriots second half of the season scenario to me with no Tom Brady? Go ahead, I’ll wait…

The worse part? Belichick isn’t even concerned about the possibility of Brady getting hurt.  He is just hell-bent on his revenge and nothing else.  Need proof? When questioned about running up the score after the game, Belichick had this to say to a reporter,

Asked why he would go for two fourth downs in a blowout, Belichick responded, “What do you want us to do, kick a field goal?”

Pressed further, he said, “It’s 38-0. It’s fourth down. We’re just out there playing.”

Yes folks…he’s just out there playing. On fourth down. with a 38 point lead. in field goal range. with most of his starters in the game. in the fourth quarter.

Maybe I have this all wrong though. Maybe there is some secret reason for the Patriots running up the score? Let’s not forget that the NINTH tie-breaker between two teams tied at the end of the regular season is best net points in common games and the TENTH tie-breaker is total net points.

For the record, the second place team in the AFC East, the Buffalo Bills, currently have a 3-4 record. The Bills current net point total? -38. The Patriots have a net point total of 204.

Here’s to hoping that karma comes this week in the form of one 6’5″ QB, with a laser rocket arm.

ESPN: Clayton: Running it up: Belichick, Pats take no prisoners

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Sports Business Digest: Spygate…honestly, its a little out of hand

Category: Football