2006-07 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS THOUGHTS/ RECAP

The 2006-07 New England Patriots season came to a stunning conclusion on January 21 versus the Colts, concluding a terrific yet bizarre season that left fans humbled. With a disappointing playoff loss to the Broncos months behind them, the Patriots started a new football campaign starting in week 1 versus the Bills.
Things looked bleak early on, as the Bills forced a fumble from Tom Brady that led to a quick score during the opening minutes. When the first half came to a close, the Pats faced an ominous 17-7 deficit. But the Pats defense were stout in the second half, holding the Bills scoreless. The Pats rallied for a 19-17 win.
The following week the Pats defeated the Jets to a tune of 24-17. Though the final score indicated a close game, the Pats nearly blew a 24-0 lead. Big plays for the Jets made the game close, but it was all for not. All in all, it was an impressive road win for the Pats.
Week 3 was a home match up against the rival Broncos, a Pats nemesis in recent years. With a chance to serve payback on the club who defeated them in last season's playoffs, it was the Broncos who dominated and won 17-7. The Pats were stunned at home in front of a national television audience.
The team quickly bounced back, destroying the talented Bengals 38-13. Rookie Laurence Maroney was monstrous, gaining 125 yards on his way to 2 touchdowns. The following week witnessed Tom Brady's usual struggles against the Dolphins, yet the club served Miami a 20-10 loss. The team entered the bye week atop the AFC East at 4-1.
The Bills were hoping to reverse their fortune versus the Pats, but a week 7 rematch saw the Pats win easily 28-6. The Pats took center stage the next week as they took on the Vikings on Monday Night Football. Tom Brady threw for 372 yards and the club shocked Minnesota 31-7.
The Colts came to town in early November for a clash in front of a national audience. The undefeated Colts stayed just that, as they conquered the Pats 27-20. Even worse, the club lost safety Rodney Harrison to injury early on and Peyton Manning had his way from there on.
In what was to be forever remembered as the mud bowl, for poor field conditions at Gillette, the Jets stunned the Pats 17-14. The team was outplayed, and surprisingly out coached.
The club brought a 6-3 mark into Lambeau field against the Packers, led by Brett Favre. The brief two game losing streak ended with a loud 35-0 victory, giving the Pats fans a sigh of relief. The message was sent; the Pats were still alive. In a battle of the Titans, the Pats grinded out a 17-13 win versus the mighty Bears the following week. In a game that saw nine turnovers, Asante Samuel's third interception, late in the contest, sealed a gratifying win for the club.
The following week the heavily favored Patriots took on the lowly Lions, but casually struggled before rallying for the win. The team was down 21-13 in the final quarter, but regrouped to put 15 straight points on the board en route to a 28-21 win. The team suffered another injury (Junior Seau broke his arm the prior week) when Maroney left the game early with a concussion. That in effect, ended his season. Maroney was not the same player when he returned late in the year.
His absence was greatly missed during the next match up against the Dolphins. The Pats were obliterated to the tune of 21-0, as Brady's customary troubles versus the Dolphins persisted. Shocked and dismayed, the club saw hope in a match up against the punchless Texans days ahead. The season really took off in week 15 as the Pats humiliated the Texans 40-7.
The season came to a close in style and confidence. The club defeated two excellent teams, the Jaguars and Titans, back-to-back on the road. Unfortunately, the team lost safety Rodney Harrison once again in the finale versus the Titans. Yet, the Pats were satisfied with winning both games while damaging both opponents playoff hopes. The win in week 16 locked up the Pats 4th consecutive AFC East crown, and impressively 7 out of the last 13.
The team faced the Jets in the first playoff game, a team that won at Gillette in November. This time, the Pats won with an offensive attack reminiscent of the 2001 Rams. A late first half score put the club up 17-10 at the midway point, but the Pats poured it on in the second half en route to a 37-16 shellacking. Asante Samuel's late pick sealed the victory and earned the club a match up versus the best team in football.
The Chargers welcomed the Pats into San Diego, a place where they fashioned an 8-0 record thus far. The Chargers won the top spot in the AFC with a sparkling 14-2 record. Moreover, both losses were to future playoff clubs. The Ravens beat the Chargers 16-13, while the Chiefs beat the Chargers 30-27. Both close games, both on the road. Furthermore, the Chargers were flawless, led by NFL MVP LaDanian Tomlinson.
In a game hailed as one of the best playoff games ever, the Pats won 24-21. The game featured many vital plays, but in the end the playoff experience overwhelmed talent. With L.T. having his way early on, the Chargers led 14-10 at the half. The hotly contested first half heated up more so in the second half, but the Pats managed to stay close and trail 14-13 late in the 3rd quarter.
After Rosevelt Colvin closed the quarter with a remarkable interception, the momentum strangely shifted to the Chargers as they scored first to gain a 21-13 advantage. Down late in the game and facing a 4th and 5 snap, Brady was picked off, and for all intensive purposes, ending the contest. In a play that will live in infamy, Troy Brown stripped the ball during the return of the interception and the Pats recovered. The team had new life.
Now with a short field to work with, Brady and company scored quickly. Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell had phenomenal games, and the latter scored the touchdown to bring the Pats within two at 21-19.
On the two point conversion attempt, Kevin Faulk went in motion. And exactly like the 2003 Super Bowl against the Panthers, he then lined up next to Brady in what seemed like protection against the blitz. Instead, he took the snap and ran it in to tie the game at 21-21.
The Chargers went three and out, giving the Pats the ball once again. Stephen Gostkowski nailed a 31 yarder with just over a minute left putting the Pats ahead 24-21.
Philip Rivers rallied his club in front of the stunned crowd, setting up a last second 54-yard field goal attempt for the reliable Nate Kaeding. He missed, his first home miss since the playoffs two years before. The Pats, without any real running attack, won the game 24-21. Though not as significant as a Super Bowl win, the game still stood as one of the most satisfying wins in franchise history.
With a chance to go to the Super bowl on the line, the Pats went into the RCA Dome to take on the Colts and Peyton Manning. Without Harrison, the game looked unpromising. Surprisingly, the Pats played a remarkable first half and offensively they dominated the Colts. With a 14-3 lead in the second quarter, Asante Samuel picked off Manning and the Pats were cruising along with a 21-3 lead. The Colts scored 3 points late, thanks to the leg of former Patriot/Hall-of-Famer Adam Vinatieri. The Pats fans were booking their Super Bowl tickets at halftime, but the players surely were aware of Manning's arm. A 21-6 halftime lead was insignificant.
Sure enough, the combination of dropped balls and terrible officiating, the Colts stormed back to tie the game at 21, but the Pats stood firm and quickly regained the lead at 28-21.
Despite the lead, the defense was gasping for air. Manning picked apart the inexperienced secondary, the loss of Harrison playing a significant role. After the Colts tied the game at 28, the Pats stormed back to gain a 31-28 advantage. But once again, the Colts used an arsenal that included a twin attack ground game and Manning's golden arm to tie things up at 31.
The Pats went ahead on a field goal, 34-31, and Manning went three and out with the minutes dwindling. The Patriots had a chance to virtually kill the clock and go to the Super Bowl. Facing a 3rd and 4 with just over two minutes to play, a first down could, in essence, end the game. Unfortunately, the Pats could not convert, giving the Colts one more opportunity.
Manning took control and continued to scorch the Patriot secondary. With the Colts driving, the team surprisingly ran the ball on 3rd and 2, and scored to take the lead 38-34. A late Brady drive fell just short. In arguably the best playoff game in NFL history, the Colts won 38-34.
It was an amazing yet bittersweet game for the Pats. Whoever won this game would surely defeat the Bears in the Super Bowl (which, indeed happened). The Pats would have to accept the quest for 4 out of 6 Super Bowl rings was over. Nearly every play a book could be written. Every play was momentous, meaningful and substantial. It was a game that will live forever.
Even with the painful loss, the Patriot dynasty was still in tact. They were Super Bowl favorites in an early Las Vegas line days after the Super Bowl 41 ended. The team will return, humbled and ambitious.