Pats D grounds Jets, 23-16

I must warn those of you who are reading my report this week I may seem a little off because I haven't had that much sleep since seeing DL Warren Sapp's TD dance after his little stint as tight end on the Tampa Bay offense.

For those of you who haven't seen it yet on ESPN you may want to just remember one thing when you eventually do see it, and keep repeating to yourself.

It's only a highlight, it's only a highlight, it's only a highlight.

The sight was so scary that when it woke me up I was in the fetal position with my thumb in my mouth and shaking in a cold sweat.

"When it rains it pours..."

I hate to use that statement, but right now it best describes the injuries that are mounting to this team's defensive squad. Yesterday the Pats opened the home season without LB's Ted Johnson, Ro Colvin, and OL Mike Compton to broken bones.

After yesterday we can add NT Ted Washington, and WR David Patten to the broken bone list.

What is going on?

Usually when a team has this many injuries you blame the strength and conditioning coach, but you can't blame Mike Woicik for bone breaks, and it's not just the Pats.

RB Marshall Faulk broke his hand yesterday and will be out 4-6 weeks, QB Kelly Holcomb went down last week with a leg fracture, but played Sunday.

A move he may regret when it comes time to heal properly.

In the preseason no one can forget that QB Michael Vick going down, and Bills' RB Travis Henry went out of the game Sunday night with a rib injury that may just be a bone break by Thursday when the injury reports are released.

Either these guys didn't drink milk growing up or they are taking a supplement that maybe effecting their bone density.

Who knows, It could just be the speed of the game.

Yesterday, was once again "step up" day for the Pats and once again those guys I mentioned to keep your eyes on back in preseason made an impact.

Especially CB Asante Samuels who I talked about most of the preseason with S Chris Atkins.

Samuels put the final nail in the Jets coffin when he bobbled his own pass deflection and returned it 55 yards for a TD.

Later in the game he came close to having a second, but wasn't able to bring it in.

LB Willie McGinest kept it up this week and finished the game with five tackles even though "pressuring" Jets' QB Vinny Testerverde wasn't in the game plan.

The D forced Testerverde to complete passes, but yesterday his WR's had a case of the dropsies especially WR Curtis Conway who let a sure six points fall to the ground.

RB Curtis Martin was stuffed all day by the Pats D and only gained 53 yards rushing.

LB Tedy Bruschi led the team in tackles (2 tackles, 7 assists), with Roman Phifer (5t/1a) not far behind.

CB Ty Law (5t)provided the scariest moment of the game when he went down defending a pass along the Jets sideline and grabbed his ankle.

Surprisingly, Ty came back into the game and continued to defend passes proving why he's worth the money he gets paid.

This week this rag tag bunch will have to prove themselves against the Redskins.

A game that I predicted would be a victory due to Spurrier being out coached.

With the right game plan I am at ease believing Belichick can do it.

Since the D once again saved the offense there were some bright spots with the emergence of a double threat running game.

RBs Kevin Faulk (17 for 79) and Antowain Smith (13 for 55) combined for over 100 yards of rushing.

Could the threat of a dark Cloud named Mike be lingering over their heads? Who knows but with the return of RB Patrick Pass things could get interesting in Foxboro.

QB Tom Brady (15/25 for 181 yards) seemed to me at times like he was playing hurt.

After the game during the press conference when questioned about the pass that fell out of his throwing hand when they were backed up deep he claimed that he was trying to get cute with the ball and it fell out.

That was a crock, my eyes were on Brady after that miscue, and as the punting unit came out onto the field he was opening and closing his throwing hand as if he was trying to get the pins and needles feeling out.

The O-line also did a good job after shifting of assignments, which was well noticed as Matt Light did his stint on 'AAF this morning in good spirits.

As for special teams... I know I usually don't mention them but I wish there was some way we could just give K Adam Vinatieri (3/3) double duty or give P Daniel Pope a second chance.

I am convinced that Ken Walter sucks to the point where I may want to start some type of "Walter Sucks" hate club.

So next week the Pats head into RFK where I expect the crowd to be noisy and the Skins to be pumped.

The offense CANNOT rely on the D in this game even though shutting down WR's Laverneus Coles and Ron Gardner will be the key to this game.

The Patriots offense has to score and score early to take the RFK crowd from the game.

Brady needs to spread the ball, and check ALL of his receivers.

I'd like also like to see FB Larry Centers get some receptions the Pats picked him up for his reception number, but they have yet to utilize him.

They'll also need to get the ball to TE Christian Fauria on red zone strikes.

He is consistently open when he runs those short slants.

If the Pats can get this done with a hell of a plan from BB they can steal this win away from RFK.

Comments? Email me at Sinista1@msn.com .

Stats complied from NFL.com