Chargers bolt past Pats

The San Diego Chargers bolted past the Pats, 21-14, this past Sunday, 9:29:2K2.

At the beginning of the season I had mentioned that the Pats were now the hunted, and they have to play that way... This means error free football for 60 minutes. In two weeks this team missed more tackles than the Red Sox had opportunities at the plate.

The bandwagon got a little bit lighter on Sunday as some fair weather fans headed west for the undefeated confines of San Diego and Oakland, but, you know something? The Patriots nation is better off without them, and sports radio has gotten much better to listen to now that they can all go back to whining, and analyzing what's wrong with the Patriots all of a sudden? Forgetting that this team has gone 12 straight without a loss, this is still an amazing feat for the Pats.

There's nothing wrong with the Pats. I had the Pats going 10-6 this year, but I expected them to beat the Chargers, which they could have done if they didn't turn over the ball on two interceptions and a missed field goal. San Diego QB Drew Brees and company would have had to open up the field with passing. Instead the Pats run defense allowed "LT" to gain 217 yards on 27 possessions with another crappy batch of missed tackles.

You just can't throw your body into a player for a tackle. You have to wrap him up and send him back trying to strip the ball in the process. If they continue this fall, then Ricky Williams will be Forrest Gump next weekend and never look back. With both the Pats and the Dolphins at 3-1, expect this game to favor the home team. I had predicted a split with the Dolphins anyway.

From the opening, the Pats marched down the field on almost every possession. To be honest that first drive almost took the sail out of the Chargers as the Brady Bunch made it look easy, with crisp passing and great running by RB Antowain Smith (16 for 78), until they fell behind.

The offense didn't skip a beat without WR Troy Brown (still could have used him) on Sunday, as WR Deion Branch stepped up and produced 13 receptions over 128 yards. David Patten was seven for 95, Christian Fauria four for 39, while Donald Hayes, Daniel Graham and Marc Edwards had two each at about 20 yards a piece. Even OLB Mike Vrabel went one-for-one on a nice TD pass in the end zone. JR Redmond, Antowain Smith, and Kevin Faulk also had receptions as QB Tom Brady went 36 of 53 for 353 yards. But as I said, there were two interceptions and they were HUGE.

How HUGE were these picks? Both came in the third quarter and it went like this...

INT 1: Third and six at the Chargers 30 yard line, QB Tom Brady threw a bullet to WR Donald Hayes, but was picked by S Ryan McNeil on the 12 yard line. (This would have tied the game.)

INT 2: Then from the Chargers 23, Tom Brady made a horrible throw under pressure and the pass got picked at the seven yard line by LB Donnie Edwards.

The O-Line also had a decent day without the services of G Joe Andruzzi. The Chargers may have hurried Brady a few times, but they never sacked him.

Defense is where the problem lies right now, and it's nothing being exposed or lack of personnel. The problem with the defense is miscommunication and missed tackles! This is the problem, Drew Brees only threw for 104 yds because the D forgot how to text book tackle for a second week in a row, while Roman Phifer and Ted Bruschi were in there. This defense needs to bounce back next week in Miami because RB Ricky Williams was held to 66 yards on 14 carries by the Chiefs defense. He'll be looking to return to form.

The Pats have one loss and there are sure to be others, and this team wasn't physically beat like the Jets, Steelers and Rams have bee. The Pats offense is still dangerous and must be respected if Troy Brown suits up next weekend, while Daniel Graham and Cam Cleeland make it back to the TE spot the Dolphins will have their hands full.

Oh, yes, for those of you who were wondering... That was me on the Chris Russell show Saturday morning talking about the Pats beating the Chargers because of the TE spot and nominating the Paul Pierce witnesses for "Idiots of the Month Poll." Too bad Daniel Graham went down in the second with a shoulder injury because out of the three TE's he is the better blocker, and TE Cam Cleeland was inactive. If you give a listen this Saturday morn, I'll try to get on again.

Before I split I'd just like to see if anyone noticed who the backup QB was for the Steelers? XFL MVP QB Tommy Maddox.

I was a supporter of the XFL despite the media bashing that sent it to it's grave. But it would be a great story if Maddox can turn the Steelers around. This guy got out of college and wooed the Broncos under the advice of his agent. Gee, I guess his agent didn't know much about QB John Elway. Eventually Maddox and his talents sat on the bench until his release. Maddox didn't pop up until the emergence of the XFL where he led his team to an XFL Championship. When the league folded, Maddox was one of the many that the NFL scouts had their eyes on. If you remember, the Pats signed WR Fred Coleman who had some impact while he was here last season also.

Anybody keeping their eyes on QB Drew Bledsoe? Don't lie... I know the hardest bashers have to admit the kid is going to break some records this season if he stays on pace, but they can't keep playing five quarters of football with that defense. Eventually it's going to take it's toll on someone.

Wanna Talk, E-mail me at: Sinista1@msn.com or visit Mr. Sinista.com web site.