Patriots Vs New Orleans  

There was two things I learned from last nights football game against the Patriots and New Orleans Saints. The first thing is that the New Orleans Saints are for real. They put up 38 points on what is still considered to be an elite team and let up only 17 points showing their strength defensively especially having a banged up secondary. Brees impressed the audience with a brilliant performance that is one of the best performances on a national audience in a high profile game. The second thing I learned is that the Patriots dynasty may have finally come to an end. There has been no other dominant team in this decade than the New England Patriots. 3 Superbowl wins in four years winning it all in 2001, 2003, and 2004 as well as a Superbowl appearance in 2007. During the decade it included an undefeated season in 2007 and have racked up 6 division titles and 4 conference titles. They complete this strong showing with good-great offense and for the most part a solid defense that always seemed to make the big play. As of late the offense isn't nearly as good as the 2007 team and the defense is young and has problems facing strong passing attacks. Peyton Manning blew them away in the fourth quarter two weeks ago and last night Drew Brees had an outstanding performance against a defense that was non existent. It is safe to say that the Patriots will probably still make the playoffs two game leads over the Jets and Dolphins, but this team is a shadow of itself from what we remember two years ago when they where breaking passing records and offensive records as a team. While they compete well at home having a 6-0 recrod they are a dismail 1-4 on the road and can't seem to close out the big game. Big game Tom Brady may not be fully to blame, but this team needs to produce defensively to have any shot of making it out of the first round.