Father's Day: Belichick wins one for his dad

Loosing a family member is a numbing, difficult experience that every one deals with differently. For Patriots coach Bill Belichick, dealing with his father's death Saturday night meant doing his job, just like his dad would have. Belichick's 86-year-old father Steve was watching college football in his Maryland home when his heart stopped. His son, who learned football from his father, coached the Pats to a 24-17 win over the New Orleans Saints Sunday. The whole time Bill kept his emotions in check, not even telling his players until after it was over.

Steve Belichick (right, joining in the Super Bowl XXXIX victory) coached at Navy for 33 years, where young Bill learned the game.

As for the game the Patriots racked up a 24-7 lead in the 4th quarter, before some late drives by the Saints made it a 7 point ball game. Tom Brady threw for 3 touchdown passes, 222-yards and 0 interceptions, with help from fullback Heath Evans. Evans signed as a free agent on November 1st, had his second straight solid game and led the Patriots with 74 yards on 16 carries.

The Saints had a shot at tying up the game with less than two minutes, but an end zone interception by Eugene Wilson sealed the deal, giving the Pats their first back to back win of the 2005 season.

So the Patriots are now 6-4, two games behind Denver for the #2 seed and a 1st round bye. Next week's game in Kansas City should prove to be the toughest of the remaining schedule, after that they face the 2-8 Jets twice and the Bills, Dolphins and Buccaneers. The Pats, with all their injuries and problems this season, have a serious chance at finishing 12-4 or 11-5. They could be stuck, however, since they lost to Denver they would have to finish with a better record. So the Patriots could win out and still be stuck in a Wild Card game.