From the moment Rackers stepped up, I knew he would miss it. That guy is a basket case when it comes to big games. Dunno why.

I'll be taking applications for my new favorite team. Dallas Coyboys need not apply.

Purple Power man!

(Really, after watching the Ravens, I really want to see them do well... though I suspect they just don't have the firepower to match Indy.)

Don't always need the firepower to beat Indy. Not every team is the Dolphins. There are some that will achieve 45:00 ToP and actually win football games. I know, crazy, right?

Totally insane!

But really, it's not a question of firepower to match Indy. It's more of "do I trust Flacco to pull off a win in Indianapolis when he was (in a winning effort) 4/10 or something with a very very bad QB Rating?"

Answer would be no, to that. I really have no idea why the Patriots failed to show up... but it was very fun to watch.

Wes Welker.

Nah. I'm not superstitious. I'd seen the first quarter.

He is not solely responsible for getting crushed like they did. Their defense is awful.

The run defense was horrible, though the passing game without Welker was worse. I think Welker is a big reason they lost, but they should not have been blown out like they were just because of his absence.

People keep bringing up the low number of Baltimore pass attempts, but there really wasn't any need to throw. The Ravens went up 7-0 on the first play after a kick return. Then there was a turnover on the NE 17, and again a turnover on the NE 28 --all resulting in touchdowns and all in the first quarter. Baltimore didn't need to throw at the start, and they probably went to the run to eat up the clock when they had NE in a hole.

It was a superb effort by the Baltimore defense and special teams. Flacco hasn't been tested, but if the other two arms play like they did yesterday, maybe he won't be next week either.

Their defense is awful, but the comment was: "I really have no idea why the Patriots failed to show up... "

If you're looking for where they failed to show up: Wes Welker. Without him, they lose a very vital part of their offense, and it was obvious that Brady needed him.

Their defense has been awful all year long. There was no change between yesterday and the regular season. They got rid of all of their veterans and team leaders, and this is the end result. A rebuild year for their defense, and it costs them a shot at the trophy.

The truth is the Patriots haven't been particularly good all year. They really haven't. They've won at home and lost away. Their offense has scored points, but it's been pretty one-dimensional and the play calling unimaginative. Throwing to Moss and Welker sounds great, but they need to spread it around more. They also need to stop turning the ball over. They desperately need a third receiver, or at least a tight end that Brady has confidence in. Their defense is young, and may turn out to be pretty good, but they had real difficulty making big stops to finish games, and if they don't find a pass rush they're not going to be much better next year.

Yesterday's loss isn't a big surprise. Baltimore would probably have won back in October too if Clayton hadn't dropped that pass near the end.

They also need a running back, and to rebuild. Frankly, they need the quality RB more than they need another receiver.

Maybe so. I expect Laurence Maroney ran out of chances with that goal line fumble against the Jags.

They're already rebuilding though. Rodney Harrison, Tedy Bruschi, Richard Seymour, Larry Izzo and Mike Vrabel are gone ---they have a lot of new guys on the field which is part of the reason they didn't have the leadership they needed this year.

They've needed a solid up-and-coming RB since Dillon retired.