Patriots Are Perfect 16-0
After An Undefeated Regular Season New England Sets Their Sights On The Playoffs
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Play CBS Video Video Patriots On Historical Win New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick and players Tom Brady and Randy Moss discuss their record setting win against the New York Giants.
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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, is hugged following his team's 38-35 victory over the New York Giants in an NFL football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Dec. 29, 2007. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, chats with wide receiver Randy Moss (81) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Dec. 29, 2007. The Patriots defeated the Giants 38-35 to become the first team to go 16-0 in the regular season and the first since the 1972 Miami Dolphins to go through a full schedule without a loss. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
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New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss (81) runs into the end zone after catching a 65-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tom Brady during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Dec. 29, 2007. Brady broke the single-season record with his 50th touchdown pass and Moss broke the single season-record with his 23rd touchdown reception on the play. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
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New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick waves as he walks off the field following the Patriots' 38-35 victory over the New York Giants in an NFL football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Dec. 29, 2007. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)
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Photo Essay Week In Sports The week's biggest winners, losers and newsmakers.
The Patriots completed a perfect if somewhat joyless journey through the regular season Saturday night, finishing with a remarkable 16-0 record following a thrilling 38-35 comeback victory over the New York Giants.
New England became the first NFL team since the 1972 Dolphins to win every game on the schedule, and that one was only 14-0. This victory required a comeback from a 12-point deficit engineered by the brilliant Brady, and smashed the Patriots' league mark for consecutive victories.
"Going undefeated during the regular season is a remarkable achievement," 1972 Dolphins coach Don Shula said. "I know firsthand how difficult it is to win every game, and just as we did in 1972, the Patriots have done a great job concentrating on each week's opponent and not letting any other distractions interrupt that focus. If they go on to complete an undefeated season, I will be the first to congratulate Coach Belichick and the Patriot organization."
Validation of the Patriots' inexorable march through the season can only come by adding a Super Bowl championship, their fourth of the decade. Do that and there'll be no challenge to their spot at the top.
"I think it's a lot of hard work," Brady said. "I'm proud of the way this team responded. We're losing there in the second half and came out and played some of our better football."
In gaining their 19th straight win over two seasons, the Patriots also got record-setting performances from Brady and Moss, including the winning score, a 65-yard bomb with 11:06 remaining. Brady beat Peyton Manning's mark of 49 touchdown passes by throwing two to Moss against the Giants (10-6), giving the star quarterback 50. Moss broke Jerry Rice's record of 22 TD receptions. And the Patriots finished with an incredible 589 points for the season, another single-season record.
Belichick was barely more animated than usual. He shared hugs with players and assistant coaches on the sideline once the victory was clinched, but there was no thought of carrying him off on the Patriots' shoulders.
That will have to wait for three more wins - if they come.
Yet this was anything but a coronation. The Giants, already guaranteed a playoff game against Tampa Bay next weekend and with little to play for except spoiling New England's perfect ride, led 28-16 in the third quarter. It was the Patriots' largest deficit all year as the Giants showed no fear and plenty of versatility, scoring the most points New England allowed in a game during this remarkable run.
An efficient Eli Manning, at times resembling his vaunted older brother, threw for four touchdowns. Domenik Hixon, in his first game as New York's primary kick returner, went 74 yards for a score 11 seconds after Brady and Moss tied their respective records.
Not to worry. These Patriots are unflappable, and they matched their comebacks in wins over Indianapolis, Philadelphia and Baltimore earlier in the season. A 73-yard drive ended with Laurence Maroney's 6-yard run to make it 28-23 with 4:00 to go in the third period.
Then came the most familiar of scenes: Brady dropping back, winding up and hitting a wide-open Moss in stride for a touchdown. The final go-ahead TD in their perfect year.
Although many are eager to hail these Patriots as the NFL's all-time best, such acclaim won't come unless they win two playoff games and their fourth Super Bowl this decade. And for those who might deny such greatness considering the "Spygate" scandal from early in the season, well, 19-0 would speak pretty loudly.
Certainly louder than any of the postgame celebrations at Giants Stadium, the same building where they were caught videotaping New York Jets assistant coaches in Week 1, a rules violation that cost Belichick and the franchise $750,000 in fines and a 2008 first-round draft choice. That made Belichick even more close-mouthed and dour than usual, and his team followed his lead - right to 16-0.
The Giants opened the game as if they were, well, the Patriots, driving 74 yards, sparked by a 52-yard completion on which Plaxico Burress outleapt Ellis Hobbs for Manning's jump-ball throw. Brandon Jacobs broke Tedy Bruschi's tackle to score on a 7-yard reception for a 7-0 lead.
Naturally, the Patriots, the highest-scoring team in NFL history, struck back. After Stephen Gostkowski's 37-yard field goal, New England went on top - and surpassed Minnesota's league mark of 556 points - on the record-tying 4-yard TD pass from Brady to Moss, who soared above rookie Aaron Ross for the score.
The 10-7 lead lasted all of 11 seconds. The usually staid Patriots gathered around Moss as he did a dance in the end zone, prompting a 15-yard excessive celebration penalty. Belichick argued the call with referee Mike Carey, perhaps sensing how costly it might be.
It was as Hixon sped 74 yards untouched to lift the Giants back in front.
Gostkowski kicked two more field goals as the Patriots grabbed a 16-14 lead with 1:59 left in the half.
That's when Manning, coming off several rough games, was at his best, leading a quick 85-yard drive that included a rare scramble for 11 yards just before he found Kevin Boss in the middle of the end zone with 13 seconds remaining. The 21-16 deficit was only the second time New England has trailed at halftime this season; the other was to the older Manning and the Colts.
But with such a potent offense, the Patriots never are out of any game. Once they got the lead, they closed it out with another touchdown drive, Maroney scoring from the 5. Manning hit Burress again from 3 yards with 1:04 to go, but New England recovered the onside kick.
"We're down 10 or 11 (actually 12) in the third quarter, the crowd was into it, and we found a way to win," Brady said. "That's the way it's going to be down the stretch ... just hope we can continue to play this kind of football."
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See all 55 CommentsGo STEELERS! Beat JAGS! YEE HAH! BLACK & GOLD!!!!
Shruggs shoulders) Don''t know
Posted by ToolMangler at 10:08 PM : Dec 30, 2007
Is that the "Counting crows"? Or are you talking about baseball?
Baseball, never looked this good!
The Pats, of 07 looks like they could take on anyone,,anyone that anybody could conjure up.
The Pats would,,"Go allthe way!"......and win!!!
Posted by smartie100 at 10:08 PM : Dec 30, 2007
God Bless, Ya thats what I say!!!!
I hope Indy brings it. Because that''s why we watch man!! It''s just a game and when the teams square off it''s awesome!!
Go Pats!!!!
Posted by exCoachKen at 10:05 PM : Dec 30, 2007
Do Crows have ''steroids''????
+ report abuse
You''re just bitter,,from some reason.
Care to explain?
Posted by exCoachKen at 08:38 PM : Dec 30, 2007
teams from ancient history cannot compete straight on with todays sherr size, strength and speed, we have 300+ lb players that outrun all of the older ones, Thats not taking anything away from them, either, "a good BIG MAN, can beat a good LITTLE MAN, any day. thats just pure truth, no putdown.
fyi.. any one who say we did it ... what position did you play... or did you get sandwhichs for the team... sitting you fat a$$ on a couch and cheering doesn''t account as being on the team... you really didn''t do all that much...
I''m a fan,,too,, But The Pats are not the team of the future. They are here NOW!!
So,,Lets sit back and enjoy, this season. And ,,Hopefully they will go all the way.
I don''t know how old you are,but I''ve been rooting for this team since,I was a kid,,back in the 70''s,,60''S too. They sucked back then,,,not no more(grin)
NOW it''s our turn!!!!!!!
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