More like it: Pats crush Cats 38-13

Nice freakin win by the Pats, who have now made it 53 strait games in which they haven't been defeated in back to back outings, with the running game at top form and a strong showing by a banged up secondary. The re-emergence of Tom Brady, who was effective even though he threw under 200 yards, and superior blocking by the offensive line and tight ends was the difference. That streak ties Denver (1976-79) for second longest streak since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger and guarantees that they will get to 54 games and have the second-longest all-time streak. The Steve Young led San Francisco 49ers hold the post-merger record, going 60 games without losing two in a row from 1995-99. The last time New England lost back-to-back games was in December, 2002, when they dropped contests at Tennessee (12/16/02) and against the New York Jets (12/22/02).

The game was close, 14-13 into the 3rd quarter, until the Pats and Lawrence Maroney broke it open. Two strip sacks of Carson Palmer and touchdowns that followed made it a laugher in the 4th.

Brady and Wide receiver Doug Gabriel got it together and hopefully presented a preview of things to come. Brady improved his career record as a starter to 17-1 on turf, 10-1 against AFC North and 2-0 against Cincinnati. Meanwhile, kicker Stephen Gostkowski rattled nerves with another field goal miss, his 3rd in a row, this time from 48-yards out...

Up next for the 3-1 Patriots is the lowly 1-3 Dolphins who have just about everyone (especially Sports Illustrated who picked them to win the East) shaking their heads. Ubsey, Crazy Cousin, Griff and the invisible man will be attending...