This is why I always use the disclaimer that I could be wrong when I make my predictions.
As New England quarterback Tom Brady is trying to fight off Father Time, in addition to his NFL opponents, coach Bill Belichick learned a painful lesson Saturday night. He finally found a "student" who knew how to use the "teacher"'s tricks against him.
Mike Vrabel is now 2-0, not including a pre-season loss in August, vs. Belichick, as the Tennessee Titans eliminated the AFC East kingpins, 20-13, the Patriots' 4th loss in their final six games this season.
The trick in question? The Titans, up by one in the fourth quarter, took three consecutive offensive penalties on 4th down to kill the clock. Belichick used the same stunt in a blowout win over the Jests earlier in the season, but wasn't too thrilled that Vrabel decided to serve up a little karmic justice.
Belichick used the time-killing stunt while up, 33-0. Bullies do that, taking advantage of a weaker opponent. Vrabel knew the risk of using the same stunt against his former coach, but the idea was, well, let's see how he likes it when it's done to him. Bullies don't like it when their victims fight back, you see. New England could hardly be considered weak, though they did take advantage of a soft early season schedule, likely manipulated by owner Bob Kraft to go out to an 8-0 start. However, as strong as the defense was, the offense, ravaged by injuries all season, and too dependent on Brady instead of a diversified offense, became too predictable in the second half of the season.
With both AFC East teams eliminated, Buffalo having fallen in overtime to Houston, 22-19, the divisional round is now set. The Titans will now try to shut down Baltimore and presumptive MVP Lamar Jackson, while the Texans play at Kansas City. Watch the ratings go up.
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