Back to School

For all those Patriots fans acting like the sky is falling, I have a message for you.

For all those who feel the team deserved all the boos rained down upon them during that sorry performance against the Miami Dolphins. For all those guys saying the season is over after one loss without the team's best player. For anyone who shed a tear after the loss. For those who will switch their attention to MLB Playoffs or to the upcoming NHL season. And if there are any Patriots fans that will watch Desparate Housewives instead of a prime time Patriots game against San Diego, I want to reassure you.

Listen to this:

College football powerhouse and number one-ranked USC lost to unranked Oregon State.

Not impressed? Asking how does this relates to New England besides Matt Cassel is a USC product?

I'm just trying to put Sunday's loss in perspective. Even the best teams lose.

We should already understand that after Super Bowl XLII (Sorry to mention it, but it's the best example). Whether it's a match-up problem, a blown call, a last-second play, or just the stars aligned, a loss is bound to happen even to the unlikliest opponent.

After thrashing Ohio State, pretty much everyone thought the Trojans would sweep the rest of the season. Maybe there was a PAC-10 team they had to be a little weary of, but the schedule didn't look to stand a chance against mighty USC.

Usually a team everyone believes that has no chance pulls off the major upset. Remember last year the Trojans lost to Stanford, a school more known for acedemics and a tree mascot.

In other cases, a team just has another team's number. Take a pair of divisional rivals. No matter how good or bad both teams are, they always play each other tight and often split the season series. When the 1989 Dallas Cowboys went 1-15, that one win was against the hated Washington Redskins that finished 10-6. New England's 1990 team won in week two over Indianapolis, then a AFC East rival. It was the only win all season.

We knew the Pats wouldn't win all their games this season. There's only two undefeated regular seasons in NFL history, so we knew it was coming. But for anyone depressed because that first loss was to Miami instead of a good team like San Diego or Denver, keep your head up.

The Dolphins gave the New York Jets a good fight. This isn't the same 1-15 team from last year. They'll be much better this year (granted they have nowhere to go but up). Maybe, as the season progresses, this week three loss won't be considered such a bad loss.

Going back to USC. One loss doesn't eliminate them from a chance at the National Championship. If they can lose, then Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida, and other top teams likely will be tripped up somewhere along the way. Sometimes that loss will be completely unexpected.

So to the Buffalo Bills sitting pretty atop the AFC East: We're right behind you. Watch your step.