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We had begun questioning the New England Patriots.

 

We questioned if they were good enough.

We questioned whether or not they had what it took to play with the big boys in the AFC.

We questioned if they could keep up with the high powered Denver Bronco offense.

We forgot who we were dealing with.

One thing about these New England Patriots—they’re a prideful bunch. Did anyone really think they were going to allow themselves to be embarrassed on national TV two weeks in a row?

The Patriots dominated from the opening whistle. Jay Cutler injured his finger on Vince Wilfork’s helmet the first time he dropped back to pass, and his day didn’t get any better from there. His offense turned the ball over five times, including two Cutler interceptions.

Worst of all, they were held to seven garbage points.

The Patriots’ defense was fantastic. Ellis Hobbs had a great game. The defensive line played spectacular. The Broncos could do absolutely nothing on offense.

Defensively, the Broncos were even more pathetic.

After learning Lawrence Maroney wasn’t going to play again this season, Sammy Morris grabbed the starting running back position by the throat. He was fantastic against a less-than-stellar Denver front seven.

But just because Denver was terrible, don’t use that to take anything away from what Sammy Morris did in the first half Monday night. Sammy Morris looked better than any running back in a Patriots’ uniform since Corey Dillon.

After rushing for a career high 138 yards IN THE FIRST HALF, Sammy Morris left the game with a knee injury and didn’t return for the second half. The word out of Foxboro is that he’s going to be fine. The Providence Journal reported that he was seen walked around after the game without any noticeable limp.

Undrafted rookie free agent Benjarvus Green-Ellis took over carrying the ball in the second half, and there wasn’t a significant drop-off. He made a play for the backup running back role, rushing 13 times for 65 yards and a touchdown.

Even the much maligned Matt Cassel played well. He was efficient, did a good job checking down to his second and third option, and made the plays that were there.

More importantly, he didn’t turn the ball over.

Randy Moss had his best game of the season as well, catching five passes for 69 yards and a two touchdowns.

The game was as lopsided as the score.

The only negative coming out of the game was the injury to Rodney Harrison. When Harrison went down and didn’t get back up, you knew it was probably bad. When he was carted off the field, you knew his career was probably over.

I’ll have more on Rodney in the coming days, but if that’s the last we ever see of Rodney Harrison in a Patriots’ uniform, he’ll still go down as one of the greatest Patriots ever.

It’s too bad that it probably has to end that way, but I’ll always remember Rodney Harrison as a key piece of two Super Bowls, three AFC championships, five AFC East titles, and an undefeated regular season.

Even with the Harrison injury, the Patriots took a huge step forward both offensively and defensively Monday.

If they play like that every week, they’ll be a force to be reckoned with come playoff time.