What are the odds that the undefeated Patriots will lose to 4-2 Redskins this weekend ... at home?
An article in The Canadian Press examines the possibility of a Washington upset at Gillette Stadium. Their story reads, in part:
Safety Sean Taylor leads the league with five interceptions, and [Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg] Williams quieted pass-happy quarterbacks Jon Kitna and Brett Favre in recent weeks by abandoning his trademark blitzes and flooding the field with zone coverage to prevent the big play.
[However, Redskins] secondary coach Jerry Gray, who has two cornerbacks (Smoot and Carlos Rogers) not at 100 per cent because of injuries, was asked what the Redskins can do to stop New England's talented receivers.
*"Pray," Gray deadpanned. **"Hopefully one of them slips, something like that."*
Pats QB Tom Brady, however, doesn't seem to be buying Washington's whole "underdog" approach. Earlier this week, Skins coach Joe Gibbs said the nearly 17-point spread by which New England is favored is "pretty realistic."
"I promise you that he's not telling his team that, I'm sure," Brady said in response. "That sounds like something that Coach Belichick would say so he's trying to butter us up. You know, it doesn't work for us. We know what we're getting ourselves into. We're playing one of the best defenses in the league and they've been in every game this year."
Safety Rodney Harrison agrees.
When asked if his teammates are looking past the Redskins and toward next Sunday's possible showdown of undefeated teams in Indianapolis, Harrison responded, "It's not a problem. We play Washington this week."
QUICK HITS
The Pats wide receivers could face a tough challenge from one of the more physical defensive secondaries in the NFL, as the Boston Herald notes today.
On the other side of the ball, New England's defense is still concerned about all the touchdowns it's giving up in the red zone. A Providence Journal piece focuses on this aspect today.
New England has no competition in the AFC East, according to USA TODAY, where the Pats are tops in that paper's NFL power rankings.
