Tom Brady's Recent Slump a Sign That the End Draws Near for the Patriots QB?

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots went on a two-week slump before their beat down of the New York Jets, 37-16, on Sunday night.

During the two-week slump, people actually began to question Brady's future and viability as the Pats quarterback.

I couldn't disagree with that notion more.

Looking at his stats those two weeks, you'd take that from your team's quarterback any day of the week, especially Sunday.

It can't even be argued that Brady, with the exception of Aaron Rodgers, is the best quarterback in football.

Being a St. Louis Rams fan, I've always learned that it's always best to bet with Brady than against him. Here's where critics of the Patriots' quarterback are sorely mistaken.

Not so Fast

New York Jets' fans were riding high at the prospect of a struggling, and possibly fading, Tom Brady being behind center Sunday night. It seemed the Jets' fans were licking their chops.

That is until Brady brought them back to reality. The only thing about Brady that's fading is a pass into the back of the end zone for a touchdown.

Brady lit up the Jets for 329 yards and three touchdowns while completing 66 percent of his passes, including 12 straight to finish the game—when it counted most.

He looked very much like the Brady we know and love. Love, that is, unless you have had to be the opposing defense.

Brady and Pats Have Top-Ranked Pass Offense

Look at the numbers. Despite the fact that Aaron Rodgers has been flawless this season, Brady is still behind center for the best passing game in football.

The Pats are averaging a total of 431 yards per game, 326 of which have occurred through the air. Clearly, Brady is responsible for the majority of New England's yards.

Not to mention, with the 19th-ranked rushing offense in the NFL, the Patriots are still averaging almost 29 points per game, good for third in the NFL.

Brady has proven to be vital to the Pats success of gaining yards and scoring points this year, just like every other year.

Rob Gronkowski

It's no debate that the beau of BiBi Jones, Rob Gronkowski, is the best young tight end in the NFL.

Being ranked ninth in the NFL in receiving yards, Gronkowski is now one of the best tight ends in the league, period. In fact, you could even make the argument that he is one of the best options to throw to in the entire league.

Unless your name is Tony Gonzalez or Antonio Gates, that's pretty rare.

He doesn't get that recognition without a great quarterback like Brady throwing to him.

Brady has always been known for getting the most out of his receiving corps, and Gronkowski's rise to league-wide stardom is a result of Brady's precision passing.

Two Top-Ten Receivers

On top of Rob Gronkowski's Pro Bowl season, Wes Welker has the most receiving yards in the NFL.

Welker's 72 receptions are ten more than any other player in the NFL, and his 1,066 yards are 50 more than any other receiver in the NFL.

Both Gronkowski and Welker are in the top ten in both receptions and receiving yards, something that is rare in the NFL.

That is a product of a quarterback who gets the ball to his receivers often and for plenty of yards.

Doesn't sound like the product of a washed-up quarterback.

Brady Still Among League Leaders

If you want to know how Brady compares to all his competition in the NFL, just look at the league leaders.

Brady ranks in the top-five in every single major statistic that is relevant to elite quarterbacks.

Need I say more?

Interceptions a Problem? Not Really

Many critics of Brady will point to his interception total.

Through ten games, Brady has thrown ten picks, which may seem like a lot. Brady is no stranger to throwing interceptions, having hit double-digits in picks eight times in his career.

He may be on pace for a career-high this season, but after throwing four picks in his first five games last season, he didn't throw the ball away again the rest of the year.

Don't forget, four of his ten interceptions were thrown in a single game, and yes, even Brady is allowed to have bad games. He still got into the end zone four times against the Bills that week.

Who Would You Rather Have?

In a big spot and needing a big drive at the end of a playoff game, who would you rather have?

Brady is a proven winner over and over again. He's gotten into the end zone numerous times in his career to win games.

Even his critics couldn't honestly give me another quarterback they'd rather have than Brady in a situation such as the one I just mentioned.

I could maybe accept Aaron Rodgers as a viable answer, but anyone other than that, I'd tell you to get your head checked.

Three Super Bowls, countless Pro Bowls and the single-season record for touchdowns are tough to argue with.

Brady is a big-time player and there isn't a soul on this Earth who wouldn't take him for quarterback on their team in 2011.