[BDBohnzie]

I figured this horse would have been buried a few hours ago...but it continues to be beat into the ground. So I guess I'll take a few swings.

I've watched a few opinions on the Idiot Box, and have read comments in this thread and elsewhere. I've also stated my opinion on the issue in this thread...but I think I've slightly changed my outlook.

Belicheck gave a big F you to the entire league by going for it twice on 4th down with a huge lead. He made a statement that says we are going to roll with guns blazing for 60 minutes, and there isn't a damn thing anyone is going to do to stop us. The week before, his defense almost let a 1-5 divisional rival back into the game, and he put the kabosh on that. Against the Skins, he decided that he wasn't going to let up. It could have been the Colts, Jets, Bills, Eagles, Cowboys, Ohio State, South Florida, Millsaps, Trinity, Salisbury, or Kentucky School for the Blind...no matter who was on the other sideline, Belicheck was going to continue to put points on the board for 60 minutes. Just so happens, the Redskins were the victim.

The difference between 52-7 and 44-7 is 8 points. Belicheck decided that those 8 points were more important than being the "better person" and letting sleeping dogs lie. The trend is not to keep starters on the field to risk injury when the game is in hand. He kept starters out on the field for much longer than necessary to secure a win, because he wanted to send a message. He decided those 8 points were enough to stroke his ego, knowing that he had embarrassed his opponent, and to show the league what level he could "rise" to in order to be on top once again.

He made his point, and along the way, disrespected a hall of fame coach. And Belicheck could care less. Some teams decide to sit on the ball with a 38 point lead in the 4th, bring in guys who dont get to normally play and give them some playing time. Again, Belicheck could care less. He simply does not care who gets in his way between now and his next Lombardi Trophy. He just wants the damn thing, and will do whatever he thinks it will take to get it.

The Redskins in turn, rolled over and played dead instead of going balls to the wall for 60 minutes. They knew they were outmatched, and played in tune with that attitude. They decided that they were going to use this experience to prepare for the rest of the season...or so us fans hope. Ego and pride took a huge hit on Sunday, and we'll see in the weeks to come how it affects how this team prepares and executes.

Was the score run up? Yes. Without a doubt. One could argue that there is a time and place for these things. I personally dont think a non-conference game is such the time and place, but I'm not Belicheck. He decided that going for it on 4th down in the 4th quarter with the game well in hand was worth it. I say, so what? Chalk it up to a lesson well learned, and if a Gibbs coached team sees Belicheck again, you know damn well this will be remembered.

So, what becomes of this? Well, the Redskins have some ground to make up in regards to themselves. They have to dig deep and get past this 1 game and continue on, knowing that they are better than what they showed on the field this past Sunday.

The Patriots on the other hand, have put the league on notice. Roll over, and you will get squashed. You'll hear about the big game this coming weekend. 8-0 Patriots vs. 7-0 Colts. It's not too often an undefeated Super Bowl winner is an underdog this late in the year. The Colts are somewhere in the neighborhood of 5.5 point dogs...and it's only Tuesday. The Patriots are the big man on campus right now, and they have a huge bullseye on their backs. They will have to continue to play at such a high level in order to continue to be successful. There's a reason only 1 team in NFL history has completed a season undefeated...will the Patriots becomes the 2nd? Only the next 8+ games will tell us...