Well….are you really surprised? When it comes to Tom Brady, how could you be?
Even I went into Sunday’s optimistic as Philip Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers have given their fans a fantasy season going 12-4 and making the postseason for the first time since 2013, where they were defeated by Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round, 24-17. The New England Patriots and Tom Brady, on the other hand, have made history over the course of the past decade, winning the AFC Eastern division for 10 consecutive seasons, given themselves a first round bye in 9 consecutive seasons, and as of Sunday afternoon, will enter their 8th consecutive AFC Conference Championship Game next Sunday night at Arrowhead Stadium. So, was there any reason to doubt that the Brady/Belichick duo would fall victim to a team that they’ve handled pretty well for the past decade?
Though Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have dominated the National Football League (NFL) over the better part of the last 2 decades, they’ve always been known to thrown in a stinker or two when it comes to the postseason. Despite the 5 Super Bowl victories, and 8 conference championships, the Pats and Brady are also known to throw one up every now and again, as we’ve seen in years past with AFC Divisional round, “one and done” losses to the Baltimore Ravens back in 2008 and to Rex Ryan’s New York Jets back in 2010. It wasn’t crazy to think after adding 2 more Super Bowl titles and 3 conference championships to the resume, that Brady and the boys were due for an early exit this time around, especially given Philip Rivers’ recent success in Los Angeles.
But there has been one obstacle that Philip Rivers has never been able to overcome in his 15 year career, and that is beat one of the greatest quarterbacks and teams to ever step on a football field, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Rivers came into Sunday’s matinee 0-7 lifetime against the 5-time Super Bowl Champion, however, many thought Los Angeles were going to walk into Foxboro and take care of business after a 12-4 season, not to mention an impressive win in Baltimore last weekend against a young Ravens’ squad.
Oh, but weren’t they wrong. Not only did Philip Rivers walk away with his 8th consecutive loss against Brady, but was never really given any chance to pick up his first win against the franchise quarterback, as New England went into half time with a 35-7 lead. Brady completed 1 touchdown pass in the first half, completing a 15-yard score to Phillip Dorsett, while handing the ball off to Sony Michel for 3 rushing touchdowns, throwing Rex Burkhead a bone in the process as well.
Though the Pats struggled to put up points in the second half, with only 6 in the final 30 minutes, Tom Brady put Philip Rivers in an insanely deep whole with 343 total passing yards, going 34-44 on pass attempts. Rivers would give it his all until the very last whistle, however, as he connected for 2 touchdowns passes, with Virgil Green and Antonio Gates respectively in order to cut into New England’s lead, but the first half annihilation by Brady was too much for Los Angeles to overcome, as Philip Rivers, at the age of 37, will exit the postseason early yet again, with time ticking on his impressive career, as he still looks to add a super bowl win to his resume.
Not only did Bill Belichick’s squad show that they are far from done this postseason, but they also showed that the dynasty is not dead, as it continues to be alive and well. If Tom Brady’s post game interview is any indication, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are in the fight of their lives next Sunday night as they look to compete for their championship since 1969.
With the stage set for next Sunday’s championship game between Kansas City and New England, the potential league MVP, Patrick Mahomes, looks to dethrone the man who has one multiple MVPs, as well as multiple championships, as it will be a showcase of the future and the present. Mahomes lead the league in passing yards this season, as he looks to become just the second rookie quarterback in history to compete in a Super Bowl, but if today was any indication, Tom Brady will not make it easy for the Chiefs’ young star, as he showed that he has plenty left in the tank at the age of 41.
With all of their accomplishments as a duo, Brady and Belichick look to accomplish a first on Sunday night, as they attempt to clinch their third straight AFC title, and their fourth in the last five seasons. I will admit, I had Los Angeles over New England this afternoon. The Chargers were too strong heading into this game in Foxboro and the Pats seemed as if they’re current run as the top dogs was coming to an abrupt end, going 11-5 this season, which was their worst regular season showing since 2008, where Matt Cassel handled the ball behind the snap for most of the season, as Brady was out with an ankle injury.
But as we’ve all learned over the past decade or two, never count the New England Patriots out. Tom Brady proved today, once again, that he is the man in the NFL, and if Patrick Mahomes wants to be the man, he’s gonna have to beat the man next week at home in Kansas City on primetime. As Bart Scott once said, “Can’t Wait!”
