No Longer Undefeated: Pittsburgh Panthers Fall, Patriots Keep Rolling

for much of what happened yesterday. The guy has been under fire for as long as I can remember. While Bill Simmons has made several references to the "Tommy Hill" face, there is also the "Coughlin" face—a visage of complete befuddlement as if to say: "I can’t believe these guys are professionals!"

But no one can question Coughlin’s heart and his competitiveness. I have been looking for a reason to support the guy, and yesterday’s Giant effort went a long way to that end.

The question is: Can the Giants can carry the momentum from yesterday’s effort into the playoffs? Or will this year end in disappointment again? I have no visions of grandeur. I do not expect the Jints to advance to the Super Bowl. I do expect them to show up and earn their collective paychecks.

Tip o’ the hat the Pats. They took the Giants’ best shot—and that WAS the Giants’ best shot—and managed to pull out the victory.

Remember on draft day, when the Pats traded for Randy Moss? All those dissenters who rushed to prognosticate how Moss would be the cancer leading to the demise of the Patriots’ dynasty? Where are they now?

I’ll be the first to admit watching Moss play is much more enjoyable than listening to him. The "us against the world" platform will get old quick.

Caught part of a call-in show this morning. One of the listeners asserted that the Patriots are undefeated solely because of their offensive prowess. Does anyone get the irony in such a comment? A Bill Belichik team living on their offense?

How quickly people forget. Remember the "K-Gun"—the Buffalo Bills’ no-huddle offense run by Jim Kelly, who had more weapons than Tank Johnson: Andre Reed, James Lofton, Thurman Thomas, and Pete Metzelaars?

Remember how that Bills’ offense ran through the Raiders in the AFC Championship game 51-3? Then that same Bills’ squad was held to less than twenty in the Super Bowl. Do you remember the name of the Giant defensive coordinator responsible for the scheme that slowed down the ‘K-Gun’?

The Patriots’ defense is designed to work with their high-powered offense. If it comes down to needing a stop late in the game, there is no one better than Bill Belichik to devise a plan.

Also, cheers to the R.I.T. Men’s hockey team. The Tigers upset #12 Minnesota 4-3 in the Gophers’ annual holiday tournament. R.I.T. plays Boston College today at 5.

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