Pats still not happy
Despite undefeated status, they still believe they can improve
NFL. The Patriots were ahead 38-0 late in Sunday’s game and driving for another score when Tom Brady lost it.
On a first-and-goal from Washington’s five-yard line, Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss was whistled for a false start. The penalty sent Brady into a rage, screaming at his teammates. New England still scored two plays later, but the point was clear: For this year’s Patriots team, nothing less than perfection will do.
As odd as it sounds, a day after New England completed a systematic and thorough pounding of Washington (the fifth-best defense in the NFL heading into Sunday’s game) with a 52-7 win, the Patriots insisted there were still things they could do better.
“Four false starts on offense isn’t exactly what we’re looking for,” said Head Coach Bill Belichick when asked how things could be better. “We’re still trying to get our return game going. Defensively, we had our moments there. [The] two-minute drive at the end of the half, the end of the game, we could have played better.
“Just a lot of individual things.”
Despite the fact that he threw for three touchdowns — and surpassed his career-high for touchdown passes in a season in the process — Brady echoed his head coach.
“We can be more efficient. There were plenty of plays out there where the communication [between] me and the receivers wasn’t what we needed it to be,” said Brady. “We got a lot of penalties out there. We got a strip-sack.
“Fortunately, our defense saved us like they’ve been saving us all year when we turn the ball over. So, we can’t turn the ball over, we’ve got to be productive when we throw it, continue to run the ball well.”
The belief in most corners of the New England locker room is that it will take nothing less than their best when the Patriots meet the Colts this weekend in Indianapolis.
“We know it’s going to take our best effort,” Brady said of the Colts. “We know you can’t make a lot of mistakes against these guys. When you turn the ball over against the Colts, it’s usually seven points. When you punt it to them, it’s usually seven points. You just have to find ways to be productive and be efficient and not turn the ball over. Certainly that’s always a big key. I’m happy we’ve got seven days to prepare because I think we’re going to need each and every hour of that week.”