Who needs Tom Brady? Matt Cassel has come in and taken total control of the Patriots offense, leading them to a 48-28 win at Miami. The win puts New England in a tie with Indianapolis and Baltimore for a wildcard spot.
Cassel threw for at least 400 yards for the second straight week; becoming the first quarterback to do so since the immortal Billy Volek did it in 2004. In fact, he becomes one of five quarterbacks to toss for 400+ yards in consecutive games since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970 (Phil Simms, Dan Marino and Dan Fouts are the others).
That's some company to keep when you nothing more than a stand-in for last year's MVP. By the way, Brady has thrown just one 400-yard game in his career. Cassel's asking price this offseason just got a little bigger.
Randy Moss benefitted from Cassel's huge game by catching eight passes for 125 yards and three touchdowns. If not for the fact that this wasn't Tom Brady tossing the passes, you'd swear it was 2007 all over again.
New England still trails the New York Jets by a game in the AFC East standings and have a huge game next week with the Steelers.
Miami's lofty goal of a playoff berth isn't over but it is damaged. The Phins fall to a game back of the wildcard chase and two games back of the Jets in the division. While their opponents don't all look stellar, Miami has a tough road to end the season. Four of their five remaining games are on the road ... including trips to the Bills and Jets.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-24-2008 @ 7:35AM
pat said...
WAY TO GO PATS!! Nice payback for the beating we took in New England. Cassel gets better every week.
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11-24-2008 @ 8:41AM
Jean said...
Way to go Patriots -
We are still in the hunt --
I hope this shut up Joey Big Mount Porter
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11-24-2008 @ 9:30AM
Richard said...
Well look at the Cheatriots now, they can't cheat anymore so the just play dirty and have the ref's in thier pockets. Just a bunch of babies.
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11-26-2008 @ 11:33PM
David said...
Pats will win the SB. Cassell will be MVP.
Ellie Mae Manning will limp back to Jersey.
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11-30-2008 @ 4:26PM
kagan said...
OMG. ROFLMAO! David, didn't I read you on these boards last year before the Super Bowl? Weren't you spouting off about what Brady would do to the Giants? Who remembers Brady's response to the prediction that the Giants would win 21-17? It went something like...."We're only going to score 17? Yah, right! hahahaha" Who's laughing now? And you jackasses have thrown Brady under the bus faster than a drug dealer holding crack! New England sports fans are the trash of the sports world. Like the 'nouveau riche ' who don't know how to act with new found money, you New Englanders don't know how to act with a bit of success. It's the reason why the entire country pulled for the Giants to roll over the Patriots regardless of their allegiances. Every American outside of New England prayed for an opportunity to watch your team and your coach get kicked to the curb. And their prayers were answered. It's no surprise that jackasses like you would turn your back on Brady this fast. Like your coach, you have no sense of integrity or class. New England football (fans and team) are the gypsys of the sports world.
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