Patriots links to help get you through a Patriot-less Sunday

November 16, 2:21 AMNew England Patriots ExaminerSean Crowe

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On Sunday, we will rest!

Bill Belichick thought it was appropriate to give his team Sunday off, considering they played two games in five days this week. But Patriots fans don’t get to take Sunday off. We need football. Or at least random articles about football.

The good people here at Examiner.com decided that I should have Sunday off as well. I mean, I wrote five Examiner articles in one week. I deserve the day off way more than the players do.

But, my loyal readers, fear not. I’ve spent the entire day scouring the web looking for suitable reading replacements.

Unfortunately, I didn’t find any. I’m way too awesome. Nobody can fill my shoes.

But, these are the next best thing. I give to you, Patriot related reading material to get you through a Football Sunday without the Patriots.

(wait, that should have been a bold sub-headline type thing)

Patriot Related Reading Material to Get You Through a Football Sunday Without the Patriots

Joe Caporoso from The Cockpit has eight reasons why the Jets are in first place in the AFC East. I have three more reasons: Ben Watson, bad officiating, and a coin toss.

Speaking of coin tosses, Hanz Heiligmann thinks Patriot fans should stop blaming the coin toss. Which I’m cool with, as long as I can continue blaming the officiating and the overrated tight end.

C Douglas Baker thinks the Patriots beat themselves, which I tend to agree with. That said, he hits the nail on the head when discussing the officiating. Specifically, the holding call against Mike Vrable on the Jets last touchdown drive.

“On third and short for the Jets in the fourth quarter the Patriots appeared to stop the Jets and force them to settle for a short field goal. Instead they got first and goal from point blank range.

I am not suggesting bad officiating costs us the game, well maybe I am. I saw the replay several times and that was an egregiously horrible call that all but gave the Jets a touchdown instead of a field goal. That could have been the deciding factor in the game.

I saw the replay several times and if that was defensive holding then the NFL should just fold and disband all the teams because you would have to call holding on almost every single short passing play. I am sick of seeing refs make such stupid bad calls in critical situations.”

Well said.

Jim Donaldson of projo.com rehashed the ColdHardFootballFacts.com article about Belichick defenses falling apart at the end of games.

I thought I was the last Patriots fan that Matt Cassel won over. I was wrong. Bill Simmons was the last Patriots fan he won over. He has now won over all of us. Let the “Should we franchise Matt Cassel?” conversations start today!

Seriously though, the Pats should franchise him (assuming they have the cap room). That way, they can get something for their investment. Ryan Nelson is practically begging his Minnesota Vikings to go get Cassel this offseason.

I’m sure the Patriots could do something with their first round pick…

As for actual football this Sunday, CBS has the Ravens vs. the Giants at 1pm and the Chargers vs. the Steelers at 4pm. Fox has the Packers and the Bears at 1pm.

If neither of those games interest you, you could always go back and read how wrong I was about Matt Cassel.

Sean Crowe is the New England Patriots Examiner. You can email him at scrowe@gmail.com. Check out some of his other work on his blog.