Tom Brady has the New England Patriots poised for a run at the Super Bowl. That statement comes as little surprise to the team's fans and great agony to other NFL followers.
So what does Week 17 mean to Brady and his teammates? Not much.
Oh, sure, they'll get time to kick around the Buffalo Bills. It's just another day at the office, one which appears likely to see Brady, Rob Gronkowski and other front-line Pats on the sidelines early. The Boston Globe's Ben Volin sees Brady playing a half, Gronkowski few if any snaps.
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Bill Belichick has once again guided the Patriots to the AFC's best record, a bye for the playoffs' opening weekend and home-field advantage in any postseason game they play before the Super Bowl. And by the way, a victory tomorrow would give them another season with a perfect home record.
What we are left with is marveling at how Brady does it year after year after year. A Sports Illustrated story illustrates how he maintains his physical prowess, with an exercise regime that is Olympian in its depth.
We also can marvel at Brady's life off the field, being envious of his relationship with supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen. Their Twitter exchange is so sappy sweet it's hard not to laugh. Except, you know, Gisele is a supermodel.
Detractors always have a field day when it comes to the Pats, and Brady's recent spewing of profanity two weeks ago led to an SEC complaint. Admittedly, it was language unfit for an 8-year-old.
Whatever. Pro football might be played on Sundays, but it's not a game for choir boys. Otherwise, how would Pats haters spend their lives? Cursing Belichick, Brady and all things Patriots is their way of life.
Fact is, no matter how much hate the Pats generate, they are the AFC's best team and a Super Bowl favorite.