The Philadelphia Inquirer Ashley Fox Column: Ashley Fox | Pats Prove They're Best With Victory Over

Nov 05, 03:38 AM

Current Headlines: By Ashley Fox, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Nov. 5--INDIANAPOLIS -- In the end, they took a knee.

It was fitting, really, given how improbable this incredibly hyped midseason Super Bowl played out. Nothing held to form, including the end, when instead of Bill Belichick directing his New England Patriots offense to shove it down the Indianapolis Colts' throat, the Hoodie called for mercy.

Belichick played it safe. He was satisfied enough yesterday with the 24-20 victory. Or maybe Belichick just wanted to crush the gamblers who bet on the Patriots and gave the points.

Whatever.

Although New England was far from the juggernaut that had dominated its first eight opponents, the Patriots proved without a doubt the only thing that matters with half a season to play: They are the best team in the National Football League. They are the league's only undefeated team, and they have the crucial head-to-head victory over the other likely participant in the AFC title game.

A lot can happen between now and the middle of January, but New England couldn't possibly be in better position than it is today. Heading into a much-needed bye week, the Patriots are 9-0, healthy and happy. They played far from their best game -- they had 10 penalties, including one egregious pass-interference call, for 146 yards, and Tom Brady equaled his season total of two interceptions -- and still came back from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the league's only other undefeated team.

Now, let the taunting begin of the 1972 Dolphins. It could happen. This could be the team to go 16-0.

Just don't tell the Patriots that.

"One thing is we're 9-0," Brady said afterward. "None of this matters. What matters is January."

Last January, New England's season ended in the humid RCA Dome, with the delirious Colts celebrating a come-from-the-dead victory beneath a storm of colorful streamers. It was excruciating to watch for the Patriots, who had owned the Colts during their run of three Super Bowl victories in four years.

But last January was New England's third consecutive loss to Indianapolis. Clearly, something had to change.

That loss was the impetus for the Patriots' off-season face-lift. In part to combat the Colts' high-octane offense, they signed the best wide receivers on the free-agent market: Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Donte Stallworth. Instead of throwing to Eagles' castoff Jabar Gaffney, Brady had one of the league's most dangerous receivers in Moss, and two sure-handed alternatives in Welker and Stallworth.

Each played a crucial role yesterday.

In his own shrewd tactical move, Colts coach Tony Dungy opted for a steady dose of Joseph Addai, who became the first Colt to amass 100 yards rushing and receiving in a single game. Instead of going for quick strikes, Indianapolis went with the strategy that the best defense is a clock-eating offense.

Brady can't beat you if he's not on the field.

That, and a dizzying defense contained the Patriots. For the first time all season, New England didn't score on its opening drive. The team that had outscored opponents this season by 79-7 in the first quarter trailed, 3-0, after the first 15 minutes and by 13-7 at halftime. The offensive line that entered the game ranked third in sacks allowed with just eight gave up two to Robert Mathis.

And the Patriots' offense was just average against the Colts' Cover 2, until the very end.

All week, Belichick had preached to his team the need to play for the full 60 minutes. Anything less, the coach said, wouldn't do. He was right.

With 9 minutes and 42 seconds left to play, Peyton Manning scored on a 1-yard sneak to give the Colts a 20-10 lead. Belichick then went with a no-huddle offense to increase the speed of the game. On the third play of New England's drive, Brady's pass skipped off Moss' fingertips, and Antoine Bethea had a chance for an interception that could have provided the Colts with the game.

Bethea didn't make the play, and Brady made him pay, going deep for Moss on the next snap. Bethea got flagged for a 55-yard pass-interference call, and a few plays later, Brady hit Welker at the goal line to cut the Colts' lead to 20-17.

After the Colts punted on their next possession, the Patriots drove 51 yards on three plays in 43 seconds, including a 33-yard Brady strike to Stallworth, to go ahead for good with 3:15 left. On the Colts' next series, Manning's fumble was recovered by Rosevelt Colvin. Game over.

The game, Tedy Bruschi said, is "60 minutes, but it's how you finish at minute 58, 59 that counts. . . . To play 60 minutes is one thing. To play your best at the end is the most important thing."

Belichick was typical Belichick afterward -- short, a little snippy, and satisfied.

"It's good to win," he said, "but we've got a long way to go."

The Patriots players were prepared for a heaping serving of what has become known as Belichick humble pie. When told of the number of penalties, Stallworth said he didn't even want to step onto the Patriots' charter airplane home.

"Obviously, we're all satisfied with the win," the former Eagles wide receiver said. "But at the same time, Bill's going to be extra busy tonight cooking up some humble pie."

You never know. Belichick did order Brady to take a knee at the end of the game. No one could have predicted that.

Contact columnist Ashley Fox at 215-854-5064 or afox@phillynews.com.

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