Upon Further Review....

A familiar feeling for Phil's kid on Saturday.

The past few weeks people have been talking about the resurgence of the defending champions. I did not buy into this until now. The Patriots showed something Saturday that they have not shown much of this year, a shut down defense. They made a believer out of me as I am now convinced that they are a legit threat in the playoffs. There are two main reasons that I will not go against the Pats from here on out.

1. Bill Belichick. He has perhaps done his best coaching job this season as his team sits at 9-5 with the AFC East clinched. His team has overcome multiple injuries to key players such as Rodney Harrison and Richard Seymour. They have no-names in their secondary, and a linebacker who has just recovered from a mini-stroke. Despite all of this, they dominated Tampa Bay yesterday 28-0. They were all over Bucs quarterback Chris Simms, sacking him 7 times and pressuring him all day. They blitzed from all over, and this strategy did not allow Simms to go deep downfield where the Pats secondary is weak. It is amazing what Belichick can do against a young QB. His schemes confuse and disrupt the flow of opposing offenses, and this makes them dangerous as usual in the post season. I don't think they will be able to out scheme the Colts and Peyton Manning, but they might be able to go into Denver or Cincinnati and pull off an upset. Either way, I'm not betting against him.
2. Tom Brady. Brady is the ultimate competitor. He never lets his team down, and with him at QB, the Pats are always in contention. He went 20/31 for 258 yards and 3 touchdowns yesterday, and his accuracy is unmatched in the league. He has the drive and ability to lead his team to Detroit in February. Again, I have learned my lesson, do not go against Tom Brady.

It was also evident during the game yesterday that Tampa Bay will not go anywhere in the playoffs with the offensive line they have assembled. Simms was hit on almost every pass attempt, and the pressure came from every spot. Linebackers made up most of the 7 sacks, but New England also got pressure when they rushed only three men. Simms actually did a solid job of getting himself back up and staying composed, but with no time to throw it did not matter. The line also did not open any running lanes for Cadillac Williams. Williams had 23 yards on 14 carries and was hit in the backfield more often than not. Hey Kenyatta Walker, didn't you used to be a good offensive tackle? Walker looked horrible yesterday. He was beaten play after play, and his effort looked half hearted at best. The Patriots defense has been known to embarrass people, but Tampa Bay's showing yesterday was weak.

Nice job Kansas City. Their backs were supposed to be against the wall as they traveled to New York yesterday. Instead, their defense played as poorly as they could have played in allowing Tiki Barber to rush for a Giants record 220 yards. Their tackling was pathetic as was evidenced by Barber's running and by Amani Toomer's touchdown where he spun out of two Chiefs' defenders on his way to the endzone. They were also undisciplined on defense. They had multiple late hit penalties especially in crucial spots. Veterans like Sammy Knight and Patrick Surtain made rookie mistakes when they threw down Giants' ball carriers after the whistles. It is a shame that the Chiefs' defense will again keep them from the playoffs. They have the #1 ranked offense in the NFL, but it does not matter when you cannot stop anyone.

It also might be time for a change in Kansas City. Dick Vermeil has done great things and is a great coach. That being said, his teams have not improved on defense, and as a result they fall short again. They have changed coordinators and personnel, and the only constant remains Vermeil. It would be a perfect fit if the Chiefs brought in Jets head coach Herm Edwards for next season. Edwards is a defensive minded coach who will bring the fire and passion needed to light a fire under the Chiefs' defensive players. Edwards played under Vermeil in Philadelphia, and he has the same type of emotions and energy that Vermeil displays. This also means that Edwards will not come to Kansas City without coach Vermeil's blessing, but Vermeil would be unlikely not to give it Edwards. It would be important that the Chiefs also clean house and get rid of defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham. They need some fresh faces and ideas on the defensive side of the ball. Edwards has denied any interest he might have in coaching in Kansas City, but the idea of a smaller city and a better team could be enough to lure him away from the Jets.

The present and future for the Chiefs??