This is blasphemy as a Patriots fan, but I find myself rooting for the Jets this year.  There are a bunch of reasons: 1) there’s no more Mangini, 2) they have an amazing defense, 3) they have a great running game, and 4) Rex Ryan is hilarious. Plus I’d much rather root for them than Peyton Manning.  J-E-T-S?

After a dominating win by the Ravens, the Patriots season is over. They really did not seem to have it this year. Brady never seemed quite right, whether it was from his injury last year, his injuries this year, or just wanting to be back on vacation with his supermodel wife. And the defense was lacking in leaders. No one had that us against them mentality, that bravado that Rodney Harrison would bring.  Thus, Dan Shaughnessy says the dynasty is over. I wouldn’t go quite that far. Although if they get back to their winning ways perhaps it will be a new dynasty.  Makes you wish they had just made a few more plays in the 2006 AFC Championship collapse against the Colts or the 2007 Super Bowl against the Giants. Make 2-3 more plays and we would have had 5 super bowls and a 19-0 season…

So, what do they need to do for next year?  Hopefully Belichick and the staff do a solid internal review to figure out where they went wrong this year. In 2006 they had poor receivers and they went out and got Moss, Welker, and Stallworth.  I’d expect to see some big names this year as well. Offensively, they need way better play calling. They need a new offensive coordinator. They also need to get a 3rd WR as Sam Aiken really doesn’t cut it.  I’d expect to see them both sign a few guys and draft some for this role.  On defense, the biggest thing they need is some leadership. Then they also need some pass rush and some run stoppers. If there aren’t any new labor talks, next year is going to be an uncapped year, with some different free agency rules, so it could be really interesting.

Obviously the big news was Wes Welker getting hurt.  Supposedly it is a tear of his MCL and ACL, which is the same injury that Brady had last year. So Welker may be at risk of missing next year as well.

In addition, we had another 4th quarter road collapse, losing after holding a 14 point lead in the 4th quarter. That was with the starters in there, it really was not good.

Were there any positive signs?  Yes, good play from some rookies. QB Brian Hoyer looked great in relief of Tom Brady.  Julian Edelman looked great in replacement of Wes Welker, catching 10 passes for 103 yards.  But still, he’s not Welker, and it would have been nice to have him as a 3rd option after Moss and Welker.  Now our 3rd WR has to be Aiken, so hopefully we get some play from the tight ends.  Also, great interception return by Darius Butler.

On to the Ravens!