The experts expected a close game, but that the Bucs would win. So did I, I’m sorry to say. It wasn’t snowing in Foxboro, and the Bucs had a winning record on the road, a hot new running back, and one of the best defenses this season.

The Pats had an ugly win against the Jets and then stomped the Bills last week. Neither of them had winning records. So this weekend was a moment of truth – could the Pats beat a playoff calibre team?

They could. They did. They shut the Bucs out: twenty-eight-zip.

This was a win unlike last year’s. They didn’t pound the ball on the ground like last year, they did it in the air. Including the first touchdown pass to tackle Tom Ashworth. That part was like last year – the Pats love to put defensive players will offensive skills into the goal line attack.

In years past the Pats defense were ball hawks, picking off opposing receivers on a weekly basis. This year the secondary is riddled with injuries, so that hasn’t been the case. But the defensive line and linebackers took up the slack this week. Seven sacks and two forced fumbles. They stomped on Chris Simms. But before that they shut down the Buc’s running game, holding “Cadillac” Williams and company to only thirty yards. The Bucs lost forty-seven yards to sacks.

Another big difference this week over the last dozen or so was that it was the other team making the mental errors and getting the bad penalties. The Patriots played with poise and control, not making any big mistakes.

The finale was great too. After stopping the Bucs last drive the stormed down the field ripping off big pass plays. Clearly they were making a statement. But then, with two minutes left and with the ball around the Buc’s 20 yard line (close enough for a field goal), they pull Brady and bring out Flutie. Then they kneel for the last couple of plays to run the clock. They had made their statement, there was no reason to rub it in on the Bucs. Classy.

So the Pats win the AFC East again and now have a couple of weeks to build on the recent success – and get healthy. I don’t expect the starters to be rested, but I do expect to see them sitting out the second half if they build a lead.

The New England Patriots are just an incredble team. They stick together, work hard, keep a professional attitude about them, and when they’re all healthy there isn’t a team they can’t beat. It’ll be a tough road to the Superbowl this year. But if the Patriots can get a few more of their starters back, not lose anyone else, and continue to improve like the last three weeks … well … who knows?

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