OK, so the Pats lost... and Indy beat us... That really sucks.

Couple thoughts and musings while lamenting a loss to the New England Patriots biggest rivals, and wondering why in 'tarnation did the Pats stop running the ball in the second half of the Indy game....

The Pats are 6-2 and in great shape in the AFC East. Yes, now we will have to head to Indy to get to the Super Bowl, but as all Bostonists are stating, Tom Brady is 10-0 in domes.

Adam Vinatieri received the Johnny Damon treatment at Gillette on Sunday evening. Bostonist was there to witness the event. While TV was at commercial, Indy came out on the field first, lead by Adam V (it is customary for the kickers/specialists to come out a bit before everyone else, especially on a cold night, to get in a couple warm-ups while the pre-game introductions go on). While there was a spattering of cheers, most of what Bostonist witnessed was boooos cascading throughout the stadium. And, as the game went on and the field goal attempts became more and more crucial, all of Foxboro could be heard booing the (once) pride of the Patriots.

Here's the thing kiddies, those of you out there who feel bad that old friend Adam was booed... Bostonists want to win every game, every day, every year. We want champions. In 10 years when Adam comes back for a reunion with one of the Super Bowl teams, everyone will give him a 5 minute standing ovation and we can all have a big group hug. But 2001, 2003, 2004 are in the past. We want another win, another ring. And Adam V. amongst another 1400 plus other football players stand in the Patriots way. And anyone standing in their way must be destroyed, even the loveable Adam V. Sorry big A. Thanks for everything, but keep on missing when you play New England.

Seriously, why why why did we stop running the ball on Sunday? Bostonist just can't get over it. The Pats are picking up 8 per in the first half and then go to the all Brady show? The Pats out rushed Indy 148-53, and still lost...

Speaking of Brady, he did have 4 INTs on Sunday, but 3 were tipped balls. Brady finished with a subpar night, completing 20 of 35 passes for 201 yards, and the aforementioned quad-trip-to-pick-ciy. The tipped balls, while not perfect passes by Brady, were all very catchable balls and should have been hauled in by Patriots receivers. The fact that they didn't catch it is more on them, then Tom "not-so-Terrific-this-week-but-still-the-man" Brady. Yes, this space has been accused of marking out for Touchdown Tommy, but any real football person will tell you, that if the ball is delivered to the receiver and he botches it, the QB takes the heat, even if its not directly his fault. That’s the nature of the quarterback position in the great game of football.

The Pats D was probably the most disturbing in this game. Right off the bat, the Pats had a chance to take all the momentum out of Peyton's sails. On Indy's 1st drive, the Pats had the Colts 3rd and 15 from their own 27, and chased Manning from the pocket, but he was able to complete a 44 yard strike to Marvin Harrison, and the shootout was on. The Pats did sack Peyton 3 times, and played better in the second half, but quite simply, you can't turn the ball over 5 times and expect to beat a decent team, never mind the best team in the NFL (sorry, but its the truth right now).

Luckily Pats fans, we've been here before. The playoffs are played during January and February, not November. Sure, let's hand it to Peyton (“Cut That Meat” / “D-Caf”) Manning and Marvin Harrison. They played fantastically and came up big when they needed to (See Marvin Harrison’s catch). They've been terrific before in the regular season. Last year, they were touted to go 16-0, and never met that expectation and were bounced in their first playoff game against Pittsburgh. Indy's not hanging cloth just yet. They will need to win a bunch more than 8 games to do that.

Are the Patriots in a bad way? Not at all. Bill Belichick knows that this team didn't have their passing attack firing on all cylinders until after the bye week, and its just starting to get going. Yes, the Pats miss Deion Branch. They don't have that "playmaker" on offense. But Dougie Gabriel and Chad Jackson are coming along, and will get better with experience and time over the next few games. The passing attack will get stronger and hopefully the Pats can stay healthy. IF they do, there is no reason why they shouldn't be heavily in the mix come January time.

Congratulations to Troy Brown, who surpassed former Patriots wide reciever Stanley Morgan on the Patriots all time receiving list. Brown had 5 catches for 37 yards the second catch breaking the record for all-time receptions as a member of the Patriots. Great work Troy!

Photo of Bill Belichick not pleased courtesy of Boston.com