Gifts were exchanged in Foxboro yesterday. From Miami to New England: a total lack of competition. From New England to Miami: Their foots off the gas pedal and a non-humiliation. 'Tis the season in the NFL.

The Pats jumped out to an early lead, befitting a matchup of 14-0 against 1-13. Brady found Randy Moss twice (been a while since we've heard that!), then Laurence Maroney dashed away untouched for a career-long 59 yards for the third touchdown. Brady hit Jabar Gaffney just before halftime, and the Pats went into the break with a 28-0 lead, perfect except for the punt that bounced off of Troy Brown's face. Chalk that one up to rust.

The Dolphins controlled the second half, as much as a crummy team scoring one touchdown can be said to "control" anything. But they kept the high-flying Pats offense scoreless for half an hour, and that's got to count as a moral victory. Next week, the Patriots go to Jersey, where they started the season, to play a Giants team that's locked into playoff position and will probably be more interested in playing it safe than taking on the hopes of haters nationwide. In other words, it's going to be very tough for the Patriots NOT to go undefeated. Deep breaths.

Another Florida team had a rotten day in Massachusetts yesterday. The Orlando Magic had been one of only three teams to beat the Celtics this year, but were no match for the C's intensity and balance last night. Garnett, Allen, Pierce and Rajon Rondo (is it blasphemy to say Rondo might be our favorite Celtic right now?) each scored 20 as the Celtics took a 103-91 victory that was closer than it looked.

The first half was very close, befitting a match between two of the three beasts of the East. But the C's ran Orlando off the court early in the third quarter, getting the lead up to 20 at one point. It didn't hurt that Dwight Howard went 5-for-16 from the free-throw line. The Magic played spunky in the fourth, but never got close enough to seriously threated. Now the Celts head West for their first extended road trip of the season; it starts Wednesday in Sacramento.

The Bruins are still mired in a rough patch, losing in Pittsburgh 4-2 yesterday. The Penguins' two goals in 30 seconds at the end of the second period sealed the B's' fate. It's time for the Bruins to start fretting about their anemic offense again.

Ornament image from the Christmas Spirit Shop of Maine.