Bernard Pollard-Bill Belichick: Revenge Best Served Sunday?

Do you think the New England Patriots have forgotten about this picture?

Do you remember whose hit brought Tom Brady's 2008 season to an end?

That's right: The Houston Texans' own Bernard Pollard. 

Pollard, playing for Kansas City in the first game of last season, drilled Brady's knee, resulting in a torn ACL and MCL. 

The NFL did rule that Pollard made a clean hit, and Pollard was not even fined for his actions. Pollard apologized nonetheless and handled the situation with grace. 

Does this mean that Brady, Belichick, and Co. will forgive and forget this Sunday?

Just because the NFL reviewed it to be a by the books, clean hit does not mean the Patriots agreed with the assessment. Randy Moss even spoke out about his opinion of dirty play. 

We have seen that Bill Belichick does not take those actions lightly. I believe he will look for revenge.

Remember the merciless attitude the Patriots took after Videogate, aggressively improving the roster and going 16-0?

What sweeter revenge could there be than to eliminate the playoff hopes of Pollard's current team, the Texans?

As a Texans fan who has been calculating rooting interests for weeks, I am hoping that the Patriots will be more concerned with their playoff game the next weekend. They have wrapped up the AFC East and have no chance at earning a first-round bye.

They know that they will have a home playoff game against a likely 9-7 wild card team. 

Furthermore, injured players need to be rested for a playoff run.

Players on the most recent injury report include defensive stalwarts Ty Warren and Vince Wilfork. Even Tom Brady was listed with shoulder, finger, and rib injuries.

Why sacrifice a possible Super Bowl run as the top contenders seem to be declining? 

We will see on Sunday, but this may be another situation of Belichick's arrogance and pride.

We've seen it this season in reckless fourth down attempts. We may see it again in a vengeful attitude against a player who could have destroyed a Super Bowl run last year.

Let's hope that the Texans and Pollard are ready for whatever Belichick throws at them.