Story by Damien Leyva
Staff Writer
Over the past ten years, this team has not only been the most dominant team in the NFL, but the best professional team of the decade. They have won three of the four Super Bowls they have played in the past 10 years, and look to continue their dominance in Super Bowl XLV.
My team of the week is the New England Patriots, and each week they continue to make football fans remember why they are the team of the decade.
Led by their quarterback and team leader, Tom Brady, the Patriots are tied for the best record in the NFL with at 11-2 and lead the AFC East.
With the return of New England favorite Deion Branch replacing diva receiver Randy Moss, along with wide receiver Wes Welker, running backs BenJarvus Green-Ellis and tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Stephen Gronkowski, Brady has many weapons on the offensive end.
Brady is continuing his successful career this season with a passer rating of 109.9, 284 completions for 3,398 yards, and 29 touchdowns. He is also third in this year’s Pro Bowl voting and is in the hunt for another MVP award alongside Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick and Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew
Even though Tom Brady and his offense may be stealing all the publicity, the Patriots defense has been dominating as of late and has been a major factor in the team’s success.
The Patriots’ defense is filled with young talent like Brandon Meriweather, Jerod Mayo, Devin McCourty, Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork, Patrick Chung and James Sanders. The defense has only given up 10 points the past two games.
After embarrassing division rival New York Jets, 45-3, the Patriots continued their dominance by stomping the Chicago Bears 36-7 on Sunday night.
This was the Patriots’ fifth straight victory, making them the first team to clinch a playoff berth.
Neither snow, wind, nor the third-ranked Bears defense was going to stop Tom Brady and the Patriots. Brady picked apart the Bears’ defense, completing 27 out of 40 passes for 369 yards and two touchdowns.
Deion Branch had a huge night, catching eight passes for a career-high 151 yards. Wes Welker also contributed to the passing game with eight receptions for 115 yards.
The Patriots’ offense demolished Brian Urlacher and the Bears’ defense, racking up 475 yards and 33 first-half points.
The Patriots’ defense continued their dominance, holding Bears quarterback Jay Cutler to only 152 yards while grabbing two interceptions and running back Matt Forte to just 25 yards.
The Patriots could clinch the AFC East and the number one seed in the playoff with a victory Sunday over the Green Bay Packers, who could be without star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who suffered a concussion in a loss to the Detroit Lions.
