The New England Patriots haven’t lost to the Buffalo Bills since September 7th, 2003.  31-0.  Does that ring a bell?  That’s right, the Lawyer Milloy game.  Did emotion get the best of New England after they lost a defensive stalwart one week prior to the season opener?  They would recover from that loss to finish the season 14-2 and march to their second of three Super Bowl titles in four years.  So in my mind, yes, they did lose focus when Milloy was sent packing.

This time they’ll face a similar situation.  Granted, Seymour went to Oakland (yet somehow he hasn’t arrived yet), not Buffalo.  Also, a bigger difference was the presence of Rodney Harrison.  This time around, there is no cagey veteran ready to step into Big Sey’s shoes.  We forget how quickly Harrison stepped up to the plate; even being voted defensive captain by his teammates before he ever played a down in the regular season.  Clearly, Ron Brace or Derrick Burgess will not be at the fifty-yard line taking the coin toss Monday night. 

And neither will the aforementioned Harrison, Mike Vrabel, or Tedy Bruschi.  All week long I’ve watched the Twitter accounts of people like Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen bring up the loss of four essential cogs in the defense.  My reply, change happens.  Did Belichick want to turn over the defense this quickly?  No.  But circumstances pushed up his timetable.  I believe he wanted one more year of Bruschi’s leadership and knack for big plays.  I also think he was planning to let Seymour walk after this season.  Bruschi’s retirement paired with an unforeseen call from Oakland, forced his hand.  So he made the most of it.

That means this season will now hinge on the offense out scoring opponents.  As usual Tom Brady will be making his weekly appearance on the injury report (Right Shoulder).  If that shoulder holds up, and his knee stays intact, the offense should be electric.  Key word: should.  Until the season starts and the games mean something we can evaluate preseason tape all we want, and it won’t mean much.  It’s time to watch some real games and then start making accurate assessments of this team.

That will all start Monday night at 7:00.  TO says he’ll be there with his spy camera.  And I expect someone to break it when they flatten him over the middle.  Owens, however, will not be the major factor in this game.  It will still boil down to Trent Edwards avoiding mistakes and getting the ball to the other playmaker, Lee Evans.  When New England has the ball, keep one eye on Brady’s protection and the other on Buffalo’s young secondary.  With names like Donte Whitner, Terrence McGee, and Leodis McKelvin, the secondary is loaded with talent.  But the question still remains, how will they handle the likes of Moss and Welker?  I expect a somewhat tight game with high scoring from both offenses.  Patriots win the home opener, 38-27.  

One final note: As we remember those who perished eight years ago, let’s not forget our brave soldiers that continue to fight abroad so that we may enjoy the comforts of our lives here at home.  God Bless You, and God Bless America.