13-0

We're going to have to keep waiting for the 2nd coming of Nostradamus, because it sure as hell isn't the Steelers 2nd year free safety Anthony Smith. Not only did the Steelers not win Sunday after his guarantee, but Belichick and Brady made sure that Smith's play was at least part of the reason why by specifically targeting, and beating, Smith on two long touchdown passes. After a first half in which the Steelers at least looked capable of beating the undefeated Patriots, the second half was uglier than the chick you woke up next to after picking her up at last call on Friday. After two weeks of Brady getting blitzed and being unable to efficiently get the ball to his receivers, the Patriots used quick passes to virtually move the ball at will in the second half even under pretty consistent pressure from Dick LeBeau's blitz schemes(although the Steelers didn't get a single sack, they did keep pressure on Brady and hit him several times). It didn't help that the Steelers corners kept giving Welker and the other receivers 10 yard cushions to protect against the deep threat instead of playing them close and popping them off the line to disrupt the quick slants and automatics that Brady used over and over again.

On offense the Steelers looked clean and efficient in the first half...and were unable to put up a single point in the second half, including one 1st and goal from the Patriots 8 that gave them two chances at the endzone from the one yard line and ended with the Patriots getting the ball back after a failed 4th down conversion and taking it down the field for a field goal. The offensive line looked better as well. Although they allowed 3 sacks, most of day saw Ben with plenty of time to throw, but often times no one to throw to. Fast Willie also managed to pick up 124 yards on the ground. There was only one turnover by either team on the day, with Willie Gay fumbling a punt return in the 2nd quarter, but the defense locked down and got the ball back with no damage after a missed New England field goal.

The Browns managed a win over the Jets that brings them back to within one game of the AFC North title. Since the Steelers own the tie breaker over Cleveland, the magic number right now is 2. Any combination of Steelers wins or Browns losses of 2 or more means the Steelers get the title, which doesn't sound too bad with 3 weeks left in the season. Until you look at the schedules. Cleveland faces Buffalo and San Fran at home and travels to Cincy, all games they could, and should, win without much trouble. The Steelers on the other hand, host Jacksonville this week in what will be a very tough matchup, then go on the road to face a St. Louis team that is suddenly not quite the pushover they were a few weeks ago, and then travel to Baltimore in a dangerous rivalry match on the road. The next couple weeks are going to be nerve-racking.

The Patriots now look poised to at least complete a perfect regular season with the only reasonable look at a loss coming from the New York Giants in the regular season finale. In the next two weeks they face the Jets and the Dolphins, who after an ugly loss to the Bills on Sunday are poised to match the Patriots undefeated season with a winless season of their own.

Finally, Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison this morning for his role in the much publicized dog fighting operation that came to light earlier this year.