Patriot Reign

The dominance the Patriots have shown this year can be attributed to many things. You can start with the amazing front office moves Scott Pioli and the rest of the Patriots inside guys made this offseason. Randy Moss for a 4th round pick now seems nothing short of genious. The "clubhouse cancer" Moss, whom coaches in Oakland said had lost a step, is suddenly the most explosive receiving threat in the NFL. Then theres the play of Tom Brady, who is on pace to shatter every major single season passing record. Theres the great defensive effort they have had this season led by a dominant defensive line, and the great linebacking core of Bruschi, Vrabel, and Colvin. But I think the X factor in New England's success has been the coaching of "The Hooded Professor" Bill Belichick. After the week one Spygate scandal, his record and reputation took a beating from fellow coaches in the NFL, and every major sports media outlet. Bill's integrity was questioned. The three Super Bowls he won were suddenly tainted. All of his accomplishments now seemed diminished. Belichick responded by doing the only thing he knows how to do. Beating the opponent down by creating a better game plan than the opposing team. But this year it's personal. This year Bill is holding nothing back, and hes out there for blood. Now Bill is leaving starters in the 4th quarter with his team up by 45. He is proving that his team is better, and rightfully so. Though it can't be proven, word around the league is that the Patriots weren't the only team that used cameras to steal opponents signals. They were just the team that got caught. Being turned in and punished for it was sort of like breaking an unwritten rule amongst NFL coaches; coaches that can only dream of being in the situation Belichick has his team in. After a comeback win in impressive fashion over the Colts, the Patriots are alone at the top of the NFL food chain. At 9-0, an undefeated season seems very realistic, but thats the last thing on Belichick's mind. He's only focused on his next opponent, the Buffalo Bills. A harsh warning to every team left on the Patriots schedule: Bring your best or its gonna get ugly, and real ugly. This year the underdog and do-nothing-wrong Patriots are suddenly the bad boys of the NFL, And Belichick wouldn't have it any other way.