New England Patriots defeat Pittsburgh Steelers, 41-27

They always answered back.

Every time they were challenged, which was several more times than seemed likely early in the game, the New England Patriots answered back. They were like a great counterpuncher, responding whenever the Pittsburgh Steelers seemed to be on the edge of a rally last night. They responded with a crisp, hard punch to Pittsburgh's hopes, disabusing the Steelers of any notion that victory somehow could still be theirs.

Last night the Patriots made...

How touching to see the Eagles end three years of postseason frustration and thus prevent the entire city of Philadelphia from plunging into mass depression. How nice to see a classy guy such as Donovan McNabb reach the Super Bowl at the peak of his physical powers. How nice it is for the Patriots to have an opponent in Super Bowl XXXIX. It will make the game marginally more interesting to have someone emerging from the other tunnel.

But it won't change anything. How ca...

Seven minutes and seven seconds remained in the first quarter when it became evident that the Patriots were going to win the AFC Championship last night at Heinz Field.

The Steelers had decided to go for it on fourth and 1 at the Patriots' 39-yard line. It wasn't the biggest or the most important play because it came so early, but it seemed to crystalize what the Patriots, who were about to win their third AFC Championship in four years, were all about.

Before the St...

These Patriot playoff wins are like Ray Charles songs, Nantucket sunsets, and hot fudge sundaes. Each one is better than the last.

Last night, the Patriots earned their third trip to the Super Bowl in four years with a 41-27 win over the 16-1 Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game. Ever-prepared and thoroughly dominant, the obedient sons of Bill Belichick silenced the Heinz Field crowd early, bolting to a 24-3 lead in the first half. With a chance to earn mode...