Mind games...

Tom Brady is listed as questionable for this week's game against the Bucs and any opportunity the jackals in the press have had to get a glimpse of him moving around has been hampered, basically leaving them (and therefore, the rest of us as well) to guess how hurt Tom really is.

Is this just a little game Belichick is playing, to force Bucs Coach Jon Gruden to waste time during what is already a short week, preparing for two very different quarterback options in Tom Brady and Doug Flutie? Possibly... but I'll be saying a prayer to the Football Gods asking their good graces that Tom Brady is good to go on Saturday. I know Flutie is a revered figure around here, but I still stick to my original sentiments that the only time I want to see him in a game is for mop up duty, a-la last weeks Bills game.

I want to get the Pats playoffs berth locked in ASAP, then, depending on what plays out in the other playoff scenarios, we can let guys rest as needed. If there's no shot at a higher seed, I say it's ok to give guys a break over the last two games.

It's looking very unlikely that either Denver or Cincy will lose this week, playing The Bills and Detroit respectively. A win this weekend for Denver and Cincy will put both teams at 11 wins each, so the possibility of The Pats moving out of the #4 spot will be practically impossible, should that scenario play out... This is still the NFL, where anything can happen, so we won't know for sure till Monday, but that also means The Pats need to take care of business this weekend and get that playoff spot clinched.

And that's your Statement of the Obvious for today, my friends...

GO PATS