Colts? Or Tum Tum?

When Bill Belichick wears anything besides a baggy, grey Patriots sweatshirt, you know it’s going to be an exciting game. This one lived up to the hype. We saw the two best teams of the last decade at their finest and the two best quarterbacks fulfilled all of Dave G’s pre-game expectations. Brady led a game-winning drive with three minutes left in the fourth quarter to put the Pats ahead. Manning coughed up a fumble trying to do the same thing and took the Colts out of the game. There’s more to the story, obviously, but it pretty much comes down to this: Brady rose to the occasion. Manning fumbled away the chance to drive to victory.

Some other thoughts:

• The Colts defense is incredible. Freeney and Mathis barely gave Brady a chance. Bob Sanders is a force of nature. Brackett’s interception set up what could have been the definitive drive of the game. And the Pats still put up 24 points. That’s scary.
• Brady-Moss is becoming the new Manning-Harrison – except better. Moss had at least two catches that I’m convinced no one else in the league could have made, including a one-armed grab that left even the announcers speechless. The great quarterback finally found his perfect receiver. The great receiver finally found his perfect quarterback. Together, they will rule the world! Or at least the Colts.
• Peyton was forced to play the game without Harrison, his most potent offensive weapon. One can only wonder how it would have played out if he could have looked to number 88.
• Joseph Addai is amazing. The guy is just that good. With over 100 yards rushing and receiving today, the fourth running back selected in the 2006 draft (28 spots behind Reggie Bush) has certainly made the most immediate impact of any player taken that year.
• Bill Belichick further increased his chances of winning the NFL’s Schmuck-of-the-Year Award by barely acknowledging Tony Dungy after the game. One step at a time, I guess. Today, no sweatshirt. Tomorrow, pleasantly greeting an opposing coach. It’s a gradual transition toward humanity.