We Salute You Our Patriots Overlords

After dispatching of the Colts 24-20, the Patriots (9-0) are the best team in the league, period end of story. The script can certainly change as the season and postseason goes on but without overstating a game in Week 9, this win was huge. Indianapolis (7-1) is clearly the second best team in the league as they had the New England on the ropes for much of the game but failed to deliver the knockout blow.

The offensive explosion that most talking heads predicted never really materialized. The Colts had a field goal in the first quarter and the Patriots were held scoreless for the first time in a first quarter this season. The Colts (particularly Robert Mathis) had relentless pressure on Brady and as a result, the Pats couldn't sustain any long drives. Joseph Addai was also killing the Pats, more on that in a moment.

New England finally got near the goal-line and Brady threw a jump ball to Moss for a TD. Indy got another field goal but the game looked to be headed to the locker room with the Patriots up 7-6. However, Addai took an innocent dump off pass and went 73 yards for a score. The Patriots tackling on the play was abysmal.

New England hit a field goal in the third accounting for the only scoring. The fourth quarter fittingly is when all the action took place. Manning scored on a QB sneak and the Colts went up 20-10 with 9:42 left. Brady and the offense couldn't move the ball all game so hopes of an undefeated season were fading fast. If this was the Patriots team of last year they would have lost. Same with the year before that. Different story this year though as the talent shines through at the most opportune times. First Brady hit Moss with the now obligatory bomb (55 yards) to get it down near the Colts end-zone. Welker hauled in a nifty 3-yard pass to bring it within three.

Then the Patriots defense went to work as they forced Indy to punt it. New England promptly marched down the field and Brady hit Faulk with a 13-yard touchdown pass. The Patriots were up 24-20 with 3:15 left but there seemed to be too much time for Manning and Co. However, Peyton simply couldn't deliver as he was sacked by Ty Warren and fumbled it into the arms of Rosevelt Colvin. With one more first down, the game was over. What a comeback.

Numerous guys stepped up when it mattered most for New England. Rodney Harrison had an interception of Manning. Stallworth had a 32-yard catch along the sideline. Brady shook off two picks and finished with the three TD's and 255 yards (after entering the fourth with under 100). And Moss solidified his position as the most dangerous wide receiver in football. If the Patriots want to go to him, he will almost always catch it. It's unbelievable.

It was a gut check win. The Colts were playing without Marvin Harrison and they missed him dearly, no question about it. New England finally woke up in the fourth quarter and they now have the fire power to make a quick comeback (even against a very good defense, at home). This win will most likely mean even more down the road when it comes to home-field in the playoffs. You'd have to like the Patriots chances in Gillette after they snapped the Colts three-game win streak over the Pats.

The bye week couldn't come at a better time as New England will get to relax and gear up for what should be an awesome stretch run. They'll next play a week from Sunday night at Buffalo. Moreover, the questions will only increase as to whether the Patriots could go 16-0, 19-0?