FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- I'm covering the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship game today.
It has become something of an annual rite that these two teams meet in the playoffs. They met last year in the title game. They have played six times since 2007 and this will be the third playoff meeting between the teams.
And all that time, the rest of the AFC East that is charged with knocking the Patriots down in the regular season has not been able to do it. The Dolphins did sneak in to win a division title in 2008 in what now seems like a mirage. And believe it or not, the Jets have had the most success unseeding the Pats from their playoff perch.
And still that hasn't been enough.
The primary reason? Let's face it, it's the quarterback. Tom Brady.
I believe as long as Brady is playing for the Patriots, the rest of the AFC East teams will be playing for a wildcard slot because Brady and the Pats are simply too dominant. So when will Brady, 35, go away? When will the door open for the other AFC East teams?
As I write in my column today Tom Brady is not declining. And in comparing him to Dan Marino, Joe Montana, Johnny Unitas and others, Brady isn't suffering the ravages of time. Check out which QB I believe he is comparable to as he ages.
If my comparison is correct, it might be 2018 before we're done seeing Brady in New England, folks.
Scary.
One legend that will be leaving the NFL after this season is Ray Lewis. I appreciate that dude. He is a great player. He is a great leader. However you feel about that long-ago murder charger (later dropped) is not the topic today.
The topic today is whether Lewis gets a chance to go out on top by advancing to the Super Bowl. Or whether he will bow out after this game.
On another matter, I want to share with you a good example of how uncertain things are for the Dolphins these days.
On Saturday, Jackie Long, the wife of Jake Long, tweeted what is a clear statement of how little certainty the Dolphins have given the Dolphins offensive lineman.
"Getting a little tired of not knowing where we'll be next year!" she tweeted. "I don't wanna move but if we have to leave I better start organizing!"
This seems like a sign that the Dolphins are quite willing to let Long walk this offseason if the price is not right on a new deal.
Kaepernck makes the SB in his 10th game as a starter.
Posted by: Jay | January 20, 2013 at 09:17 PM
fin77 = methane gas from cow rear
Posted by: Voyco | January 20, 2013 at 09:18 PM
The Patriots lost their shut down corner Talib. Shut down corners are important, the Dolphins should try and pick one up in the draft.
Posted by: promichael | January 20, 2013 at 09:20 PM
If miami studies anything this offseason, it should be the physicality of the ravens defense and how they are punishing the patriots recievers in this game....
Posted by: superPHIN | January 20, 2013 at 09:21 PM
Don't make excuses promichael. All teams have injuries thise time of year. The Pats are loaded.
Probullshit is what you are.
Posted by: Stenky | January 20, 2013 at 09:22 PM
No team activated more receivers than Dolphins in 2012.
The writings on the wall...
Draft 2 WR's + 1 FA.
New play book, also needed. Offense not innovative...
Tanny and Devlin on the Rise!
Posted by: Sith Lord | January 20, 2013 at 09:22 PM
Miami stinks.
Posted by: Truth | January 20, 2013 at 09:23 PM
Smart sack take by Flacco. Keeps clock moviong.
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 20, 2013 at 09:23 PM
Tough for the Pats to win with Gronkowski injured. He is a huge factor.
Posted by: Gregg | January 20, 2013 at 09:25 PM
If the ravens can get a pick six on this drive by the pats...it would be as good as over, that said, a pats score would really put the pressure on flacco to deliver another drive.....
Posted by: superPHIN | January 20, 2013 at 09:27 PM
close enuff, turnover works too....just sayin
Posted by: superPHIN | January 20, 2013 at 09:28 PM
TanneBust gets shutout in NE while Flacco puts up 28+ points. LOL
Posted by: Truth | January 20, 2013 at 09:28 PM
I came name 2 QBs that never needed to resort to trickery to face down the Pats:
Chad Henne: 1200 yards and 8 TD passes in his last 3 games vs NE/Brady
Joe Flacco: He stuied what Henne did and now he is doing it also; however Flacco was not throwing to Camarillo and Ginn, Flacco was not handing off to Ronnie, and did not have Columbus playing RT or Soprano coaching him.
Posted by: Word'sBond | January 20, 2013 at 09:28 PM
Well, time for Brady to use curlers in his dk hair LOL.
He is done. NE is done.
Posted by: Foil | January 20, 2013 at 09:30 PM
superfin,
You called it. Bu-bye Belichik/Brady!
ALoco, where're you at now, Massie boy! LOL.....
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 20, 2013 at 09:30 PM
INTERCEPTION BY RAVENS!!!!! Now a clock eating drive and score!!
Posted by: redsky | January 20, 2013 at 09:32 PM
ALOCO HAS NO SHAME. HE SAYS BRADY/BELICHIK WINS TODAY! ROTFLMAO......................
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 20, 2013 at 09:32 PM
All the Matt Ryan pumper suckfaces are gone!
Posted by: Wonderful | January 20, 2013 at 09:32 PM
Ross should offer either Harbaugh 25 mill/yr to coach.
Posted by: Fin 77 | January 20, 2013 at 09:32 PM
RAY LEWIS GOES TO HIS 2ND SB GAME. LOL...
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 20, 2013 at 09:32 PM
TanneBust gets shutout in NE while Flacco puts up 28+ points. LOL
Posted by: Truth | January 20, 2013 at 09:28 PM
Really, so you think flacco on this team with the likes of fasano, hartline, and bess(who didnt play) as your offensive weapons would put up the same amount of points if they were playing today against the pats.....(dont answer that, im afraid of what you might rebuttle with)
*LMAO*
Posted by: superPHIN | January 20, 2013 at 09:33 PM
Have another drink on yourself Stenky your clueless
Posted by: promichael | January 20, 2013 at 09:33 PM
fin 77, want my number?
Posted by: Pee Wee Herman | January 20, 2013 at 09:33 PM
BRADY IS THE NFL'S GREATEST CHOKE ARTIST. HE HAS WON ZERO SB'S WITHOUT THE DEFENSE THAT WAS IN NEW EMGLAND WHEN HE FIRST ARRIVED. LOL.....
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 20, 2013 at 09:34 PM
BRADY CHOKES ON GEZZELLE'S C L I T! LOL...
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 20, 2013 at 09:35 PM
WAIT A MINUTE, I WOULDNT MIND CHOKING ON GEZELLE'S C L I T! LOL...
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 20, 2013 at 09:36 PM
IT'S HAR-BOWL TIME!
Posted by: NPA | January 20, 2013 at 09:36 PM
Nah, Marino is the biggest choke artist in sports history. He has ZERO SB's!!
Posted by: Marino choked again!! | January 20, 2013 at 09:37 PM
YG
Lovin it, its as good as most dolfans can expect to see lately given all our turmoil in playoff droughts around here knowing that the pats still with all the talent they have wont have another SB ring....and there windows closing!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | January 20, 2013 at 09:37 PM
BRADY CHOKES AGAIN! LOL...
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 20, 2013 at 09:37 PM
Love to see looser faces on NE, one more game for Ray and the U. The U will have players on both sides of the ball in the SB!
Posted by: redsky | January 20, 2013 at 09:37 PM
This is Flacco's 8th postseason win.
Ryan has 1 postseason win.
They both came into the league in 2008.
Posted by: Word'sBond | January 20, 2013 at 09:39 PM
ITS THE HARBAUGH BOWL!
Posted by: Fin 77 | January 20, 2013 at 09:39 PM
SF will be favored by 7.5
Posted by: Sadiie | January 20, 2013 at 09:39 PM
Flacco vs Kaepernick.
Posted by: Fin 77 | January 20, 2013 at 09:40 PM
Not over yet, Ravens need one more stop!
Posted by: redsky | January 20, 2013 at 09:40 PM
Brady Welker used up like a cheap condom in Opa Locka.
Posted by: Nigel | January 20, 2013 at 09:40 PM
IT LIKE OUR SUPER BOWL EVERY YEAR TO WATCH THE PATRIOTS LOSE IN PLAYOFFS OR SB GAMES. LOL....
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 20, 2013 at 09:41 PM
Flacco has more postseason wins then Marino!
Posted by: WOW | January 20, 2013 at 09:42 PM
I honestly could care less about the HAR-Bowl, just having the pats *CHOKE* again was worth seeing yet AGAIN this year....(AND THIS TIME, A TEAM NOT NAMED THE GIANTS)
Posted by: superPHIN | January 20, 2013 at 09:42 PM
..The way the Ravens played the Pats today is a pretty good hint on how to beat them..Stick. It isn't even the hits on Tom Brady..But they totaly outclassed the Pats physicaly tonight. Some of those hits were worth a rewind. The Super Bowl is going to be a great matchup of two teams that aren't afraid to bring some wood. I can't think of a matchup with 2 teams as physical as this one will be. You have to go back a ways.
Posted by: DarrylDunphy | January 20, 2013 at 09:43 PM
Either Kappe or Flacco will leap over Marino in terms of actual accomplishment in 2 weeks.
Posted by: Word'sBond | January 20, 2013 at 09:43 PM
I FEEL LIKE GOING OUT TONIGHT AND CELEBRATING THE PATS LOSS! LOL...
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 20, 2013 at 09:43 PM
YG4E, I'm already celebrating!
Posted by: redsky | January 20, 2013 at 09:44 PM
Is Marino even ashamed that he is the only one on the set that was never a world champion?
Posted by: Word'sBond | January 20, 2013 at 09:44 PM
I'm expecting Brady to cry post game.
Posted by: Teets | January 20, 2013 at 09:44 PM
SOUNDS LIKE THE PAT FANS WERE CHANTING: "CHOKER---CHOKER....." LOL...
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 20, 2013 at 09:45 PM
The end of an ERA.
Posted by: Professor Ike | January 20, 2013 at 09:45 PM
Interception kills NE!!!!!!
Posted by: redsky | January 20, 2013 at 09:46 PM
wonder who Tom Bradys Wife will blame for that throw *LMAO* *LMAO*............Just Sayin
Posted by: superPHIN | January 20, 2013 at 09:47 PM
We need to give Flaco the Manning treatment. Baltimore does not have the money, they are not going to franchise him for 18 million per year.
Any of you guys who think Tanhill is even close to what Flaco is right now are not watching all the throws this guy makes.
His main weakness is he always wants to go way deep down the field. And to me that is what Miami needs.
Someone said we need a new offensive playbook. Agree, but we babied Tanhill this year. Maybe we should think about putting Tanhill at receiver. He has more snaps at receiver than QB over his college career. Just kidding. But Ross should fire up the plane and get Flaco in town. Maybe grab boldin along the way.
By the way you guys want to send Brady to an early grave Sign Welker.
None of this will happen because we need to sign all our players from last year. YA, Ya, Ya, Bla, Bla, Bla.
Go Dolphins!!
Posted by: shula71 | January 20, 2013 at 09:48 PM
Brady in his stupid pompom hat. What a girl.
Posted by: JizWad | January 20, 2013 at 09:49 PM
The look on Bellicheat's face, priceless!!!!
Posted by: redsky | January 20, 2013 at 09:49 PM
Has Flacco passed Marino already?
Posted by: Xerxes | January 20, 2013 at 09:49 PM
The 2 Best HC's In America Right Now Are Brothers!
Harbaugh Vs Harbaugh
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | January 20, 2013 at 09:51 PM
shula71, my cats farts are smarter than you. go away, your posts are stupid and you know less than nothing,
Posted by: Panja | January 20, 2013 at 09:51 PM
Cameron gets canned and his team goes to the SB. LOL. Fk loser that guy.
Posted by: Aoio | January 20, 2013 at 09:53 PM
Henne > Tannehill
Posted by: We All Know | January 20, 2013 at 09:53 PM
Ted Ginn Jr in SB also
Posted by: Word'sBond | January 20, 2013 at 09:53 PM
yea sure...
Go out and sign flacco to a team where you basically would have to start over again with no BIG NAME recievers with limited talent instead of staying put where you perhaps will win a championship and have a more pormising future??*lol*...
besides flacco is looking for BIG $$$ if he decides to leave, so what now??, should we invest 12 million a year in a QB who is in a far better situation in Baltimore than coming to miami???....that makes NO sense!!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | January 20, 2013 at 09:54 PM