A verrry long, painful night...

           

 I woke up this morning awash in a desperate pigskin depression, lathered in Buffalo sauce and lying in random chunks of vomit. Fortunately, Consuela my random hook up du nuit / house-keeper has this vile situation under control. She has also removed all sharp instruments from my place as she is concerned that “Mr. Don” will harm himself after last night’s horrific nightmare in Foxborough.  Don’t fret – it’s nothing a handful of Xanax cannot control.

"All we hear is about their defense! They can't stop a nosebleed!''
-- New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott

Our Patriot’s were exposed as the “house of cards defense” just didn't have the horses.  The Patriots don't have a pass rusher (something the final four teams boast in bunches), they surrendered 5.55 yards per play (25th) and they were the NFL's worst team on third downs all year, allowing opponents to convert an incredible 47.4 percent of attempts.

All three problems came back to haunt them against the Jets: the Patriots did not register a single sack, they were torched for 5.8 yards per play and they allowed New York to convert 6 of 13 third downs (46.1%), almost exactly the NFL-worst average they allowed during the regular season.

They also failed to stop the Jets in the red zone – four touchdowns in five trips inside the 20. In the end, those problems put too much pressure on a Patriots offense asked to contend with a good New York defense playing some of its best football of the season. It was very frustrating to see Tom Brady reading thru his pass progressions 1, 2, 3, & 4 and then checking down all night long and looking confused! Congratulations NYJ - you talked and you delivered. But, I do have Consuela digging out my black & gold terrible towel.