The One Where the Patriots Go To the SuperBowl Again

 

 

 

The Patriots played the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game. It was a hard fought, sloopy game in weather that quickly became cold, windy, and snowy in Denver....a true house of horrors for the Patriots in the past.

However the Patriots, down 7-0, found a way to comeback with a turnover followed by a touchdown and then a field goal before conditions turned awful.

In the end, they held on for a 10-7 win and their record 12th appearance in the Superbowl, where they will have a rematch with the Seahawks!!!

Go PATS!!! 

The One With The New Starting Quarterback for the Patriots

 

Ever since fall of 2001 - following a hit by the NY Jet's Mo Lewis - I, like other Patriots fans, have watch Tom Brady lead the Patriots at the helm.

 

Today was the first day in 19 years that we wouldn't know that Tom Brady should (or eventually would) return as the starter for the Patriots. It was so surreal. Seeing Cam Newton for the first time was, well, interesting.

 

But, it made for an eventful day. The Patriots won 21-11 and Newton set a record for most runs by a Patriots QB ever. He certainly brings a different dynamic.

 

I knew the post-Brady era would come...and it started well. I still miss the old days, but am interested to see what the new ones hold!

The One Where Tom Brady Says Goodbye

Today the unfathomable happened.

At about 8:30 or so - amid all of the coronavirus news - WCVB broke with a simple statement "Brady is Leaving"

Soon, it was clear...Tom Brady had released a social media announcement that he will not be back with the Patriots.

It is hard to believe...the end of an era...two decades of amazing football, coming to an end.

It is hard to put into words what this day is like.

So, simply, thanks Tom for the memories.

The One With the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Massacre

Today is one of those days that represents a milestone moment in American history. The landmark anniversary of an important event that shaped the lives of our country.

250 years ago today on King Street, the Boston Massacre occurred. As tempers flared and Patriots confronted the British, the event is often viewed as one the galvanized Bostonians - and eventually Americans - against British occupation.

To honor this day, we discussed the event in class and I even showed the video linked here from School Tube.

Today is a day to remember the lives lost on that day and to honor a moment that changed American forever.

The One Where the Patriots Win Their Sixth Superbowl!

It is 10:10 PM on Sunday February 3rd and the Patriots have made history (and tied it, too). The Patriots won Superbowl 53 13 -3 over the Rams 17 years to the day they won their first one against the Rams.


If was a tough defensive game with the score tied at 3 going into the 4th quarter. However, an amazing series of catches by Edelman and Gronkowski, with a TD run by Michel put them on top and a Gostkowski field goal sealed the deal.


This means the Pats - the goof troop of teams when I was a kid - are tied with the Steelers for the most Super Bowls of all time.


 AMAZING!

Congratulations Super Bowl Champions New England Patriots

 

The One With the Patriots Returning to the Superbowl

PATS WIN, PATS WIN, PATS WIN


Earlier this evening, the Patriots did what many thought was the impossible. They won the AFC Championship with a 37-31 OT victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. It was an amazing game with so many subplots:

Old QB vs. Future QB
Bill Belichick vs. Andy Reid
Gronk vs. Kelce
Brady vs the World

It was a tough game with excellent defense by the Pats as they went into the half up 14 to 0. However, we all know that KC has been tough all year and because they were the home team - and the Pats have had trouble on the road in the playoffs - all signs pointed to a comeback. And they did, taking the lead in the 4th quarter and then tying the game with 11 seconds left to play. Wow!

However, Tom Brady, who has shown signs of age this season, showed what he had when he needed it most, orchestrating a masterful lead drive in OT, and guiding the Pats to their 11 ever AFC Championship!

Amazing! Now onto the Superbowl, where they will meet the LA Rams (the team, though from St. Louis, that they beat to win their first Superbowl). In the proverbial words of 1980s Bostonians...Beat LA.

The One With The Super Bowl LI Win

Last night, the Patriots made Super Bowl history.

They made the greatest comeback ever.

They were down 28 -3 in the third quarter and were able to come back in win in the first ever Super Bowl over time game 34-28 (I predicted 35-28, Pats....pretty close).

Tom Brady set a record for most passing yards in a game with 466.  James White had a record with 14 receptions - the most ever in a Super Bowl.

The Pats tied it up on a two point conversion at the end of regulation. Wow! 

Overall, a pretty amazing game...perhaps the best Super Bowl ever!

 

The One Where Tom Brady Came Back

Today was the day.

After four fraudulent weeks where one of the most unwarranted penalties of all time, Tom Brady played his first game.

At last, the whole Deflategate nonsense is over.

It was great to see him back. And, not only was he back.

He was BACK...with a vengeance....just like old times.  With 404 yards passing. And one great first down run (and gesture).

Great to have you back, Tom. You never should have been out to begin with.

The One With the Long Week

Zoinks

What a long week.

The kids started back to school and they loved it. That is great news. Best part is, they have great teachers.

School for me was great...I have good classes.

Ready to hibernate now.

Glad football season is starting tomorrow. GO PATS!

The One Where the Patriots Go to the AFC Championship

Yesterday, it became evident that we, as a family, have finally hit that stage where it is fun to watch a football game together because we watched the AFC playoff game between the Patriots and Kansas City chiefs.


Sure, Bri and Kiff may not have been totally focused on the game, but with all the snacks we were serving, who could blame them.


We had a ton of fun watching the game. The Patriots played well with all of their injured players making a return. It was like the Patriots of earlier in the season as they raced out to an impressive lead and the defense was able to contain the chiefs...until they made a late score with 1:18 in the game to make it tight.

Still, the Patriots were able to win 27-20 and advance to their fifth AFC championship in a row (and 11th in the 22 years that Robert Kraft has owned the team...and 10th since Tom Brady has played. Wow). The only other team to go to 5 straight conference championships were the Raiders from 1973 to 1977.  Impressive.

Go Pats!

The One Where the Super Bowl Arrives

Ahhh, at last it is hear.

February 1, 2015.

Super Bowl Sunday!

It is early in the morning and we've been watching different TV sports shows to get all hyped up for the game. Emmie went out to get some food for the game. I am holding down the fort and the kids are excited about the game as well.

Of course, they are hoping for a New England win!!!

Go Pats!

The One Where The Patriots Lose

Yesterday, Bri and Kiff engaged if their first official NFL Football Postseason activity. They actually watched a postseason game with us.

Now, sure, I know what you're thinking. What true, self-respecting fan, would hide their kids from the joys of postseason football for several years. Well, it was not like we were trying...it is just that they lack interest in watching it for a sustained period of time.

But, we were able to change all that. It wasn't perfect. The presence of Word Girl on TV in another room was a distraction, but they did watch the game with us. The presence of snacks - mostly healthy - helped to keep them firmly entrenched in their seats. And, they asked some pretty good questions about the game.

"If the bad guys are orange, why are they winning?" Kiff asked about the Pats opponents.

"What is a flag?" Bri asked. "And why should they throw in?"

"What does NE mean?" Kiff asked....well he actually pointed to NE.

"Who do you think is a bonehead?" Bri asked.

"Should you actually say THAT word?" Bri later asked...about a decidedly different word.

Needless to say, it was a fun, first, prolonged exposure to playoff football. They got to feel the intensity and fun of the game.

Too bad the right team didn't win...at least for us.