New England Patriots defeat Indianapolis Colts, 20-3

They punched them in the mouth and when they got up they punched them in the mouth again until they didn't want to get hit any more.

That's how the New England Patriots pulled off arguably the second-greatest victory in what has become one of the great stretches in pro football history.

It was not poetry in motion last night at Razor Blade Field. It was not about lyric little bandboxes or odes to summertime. This was rap music and a kick in the teeth.

The Patriots pu...

He is Dan Marino. He is Karl Malone. He is Ted Williams.

He is the 21st century symbol of big numbers in the face of futility. Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning won football's MVP award this season, broke Marino's 21-year-old record for most touchdowns in a season (49), and has thrown for more than 29,000 career yards, but all he has to show for it this morning is another playoff hangover administered by the New England Patriots' defense.

For the second season ...

All week the message was clear. "You have to slow him down," said the experts. "You have to get him out of his rhythm." The Patriots went one better -- they stopped Peyton Manning cold.

Maybe the signs and the chants were a little harsh during New England's 20-3 pounding of the Colts and Manning yesterday, which punched New England's ticket to the AFC Championship game Sunday at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

"After the game you will get your ring -- suffer-ring," read o...

They drew the curtain on another football winter at Gillette Stadium early last evening. There'll be no more tailgating in the parking lots of car dealerships along Route 1. No more ''Rock & Roll Part 2" booming over the PA when the Patriots put points on the board. No more monster traffic jams when 68,756 fans try to drive home after a Patriot win. No. The north end zone lighthouse will be dark until the Patriots return this summer.

Don't be surprised if the Patriots a...