Perfection!

Last night at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford NJ, the New England Patriots put themselves in a superior class by becoming the first NFL team to post an 16-0 regular season.

There were indeed some blowouts, and definitely some nail-biters (4 games were decided by 4 points or less), but in the end New England has put together a season that we have never witnessed in the 37 year history of the National Football League.

Patriots QB Tom Brady has put together a season for the ages. Not only did he break Peyton Manning’s single-season touchdown record (49 in 2004), but he is now the first & only quarterback in NFL History to throw for 50, yes FIFTY touchdown passes in a single season!!!

Brady went on an absolute TEAR over the first 8 games of the season, completing 198 of 267 passes for 2,431 passing yards & a mind-boggling 74.2% completion rate, along with 30 touchdown passes & just 2 interceptions.

In comparison with Peyton Manning’s old record, Manning completed 179 of 269 passes for 2,429 passing yards & a 66.5% completion percentage, along with 26 touchdown passes & just 4 interceptions over his first 8 games of the 2005 season which he produced the old record of 49 touchdown passes.

Manning had slighty better 2nd half numbers during his ‘05 season, but Brady produced a 132.5 QB Rating during the month of October while combining to throw for 20 touchdown passes & just 1 interception!!!

I’ll tell you this though, Tom Brady wouldn’t have those 50 touchdown passes if it wasn’t for Randy Moss & Wes Welker, who were responsible for 62% of Brady’s TD bombs.

Moss simply rejuvenated himself during his 1st season with the Patriots, as he caught 98 receptions (2nd highest total of career) for 1,493 receiving yards (2nd highest total of career), averaged 93.3 receiving yards per game (2nd highest total of career), caught 74 passes for 1st downs (2nd highest total of career & hauled in 23 touchdowns.

In comparision with Jerry Rice’s great 1987 season, Moss beats him out in just about every major statistical category.

Wes Welker also had himself a career season after coming over from the Dolphins. Welker leads the NFL with 112 receptions & will win the season title unless Cincinnati’s T.J. Houshmandzadeh comes up with 10 receptions or more on Sunday against Miami, which is Welker’s old team.

Welker also recorded 1,175 receiving yards, 73.4 receiving yards per game, 65 catches for 1st downs & 8 receiving touchdowns, which are all career-highs.

Bill Belichick has done his best coaching job ever this season & when it’s all said & done, he will value this year’s Super Bowl win over the two that he had while serving as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants in the mid to late 80’s.

At times, his defense has given up big plays, but they always come up with a stop when needed to preserve a win.

Also have to give a lot of credit to Josh McDaniels, who is New England’s offensive coordinator & saw this team put up unbelievable numbers in just his 2nd full season.

At this very exact point, i can say that the ‘98 Vikings were the best team to never reach a Super Bowl, especially with a 15-1 record. But the Patriots now have a chance to become the best offensive team ever, in the history of the game.

Buckle up boys, because the real season is about to start.

3 more wins & this will be indeed, the greatest team of all-time.

Until then,

Mattie T

Sports Writer for BMS Radio Chicago

www.BMSRadio.com

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