The snow showed up, but the Arizona Cardinals did not. It's kind of a sham that Arizona has clinched a divisional title, and the Pats still need help just to make the playoffs. Then again, New England got to feast on the NFC West this season, going 4-0, and outscoring them 124 to 62. In other words, the Pats are 6-5 against teams that aren't in the NFC West.
The Pats put up a grotesque 514 yards of total offense, which is even more impressive when one considers the weather.
Cassel was once again outstanding, throwing 20 completions in 36 attempts for 345 yards and 3 scores. But the story of the day was the ground game. The Pats rushed the ball 42 times for 189 yards, 2 TDs and 4.4 yards per carry. If you exclude the kneel downs at the end of the game, it was 4.8 per carry. Jordan and Morris provided the 1-2 punch, combining for 166 yards.
The absence of LaMont Jordan earlier in the year cannot be overlooked. He literally doubled his carries for the season from 20 to 40 Sunday afternoon. The Pats were 4-4 in games he missed.
It's hard not to be excited after a 47-7 win. But this was an Arizona team that fell 35-14 to the Vikings last week. So let's not get too crazy. And what chance does a team from Glendale have in 20 degree freezing rain anyway?
The Pats win the AFC East with a win next Sunday and a Jets win over Miami. They can also clinch a wild card spot with a win and a Baltimore loss to Jacksonville.
Pats @ Bills next Sunday at 1. Forecast looks like temps in the low 30s and "Few" snow showers, but that can change fast in Western New York.
Sources:
ESPN.com
Weather.com
Photo Credits:
AP Photo/Stephan Savoia
AP Photo/Winslow Townson
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