For Patriot and Cowboy fans

[Ryan Scott]

Here's a little scenario from ESPN.com. I hope I'm not violating any copyrights here. As a translation - Jersey/B is the Jets and the Flying Elvii are the Pats.

In other football news, would New England actually be better off losing Sunday against Jersey/B? If the Patriots beat the Jets, they lock in the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the postseason. Then, with two meaningless regular-season outings and a bye week, a full month will pass until Jan. 12, the earliest date the Flying Elvii could appear in another game that counts. Consider New England's last three regular-season opponents: the 3-10 Jets, the 0-13 Dolphins and a Giants squad that might be resting starters. Even the mad-at-the-world Pats could have trouble maintaining focus for an entire meaningless month. Meanwhile, Dallas is in almost the same situation as New England. With effectively a two-game lead over Green Bay -- owing to beating the Pack head-to-head -- through the final three weeks, the Cowboys need only a combination of Dallas wins and Green Bay losses that adds up to two to lock up home-field advantage in the NFC. Thus, Boys faithful actually might root for Green Bay to beat St. Louis on Sunday -- otherwise it's possible the Boys could lock up the top seed this weekend, and face a meaningless month of their own.

[Dennis M. Scott]

Interesting questions. As far as the Patriots being "mad at the world", Belichek is the only one really mad. Half a million bucks for that silly offense will do that even to a guy making that kind of money. Most of the Pats are still having fun.

[Ryan Scott]

Robert Kraft paid that fine for him. C'mon. It's a slap on the wrist.

[Dennis M. Scott]

Robert Kraft paid that fine for him. C'mon. It's a slap on the wrist.

I'd compare it to my paying a parking ticket. It's still annoying.

[Mike Schutz]

Robert Kraft paid that fine for him. C'mon. It's a slap on the wrist.

Ryan, where did you hear that Kraft paid it? I did not think this was the case.

[Ryan Scott]

I just assumed they did it. I don't know why they wouldn't. There is a salary cap for players, but coaches can get paid whatever they want. The team might not have paid the fine directly, but I don't know why they wouldn't bump his pay so he wouldn't have to feel it.

Kraft may have publicly stated his disappointment, but none of the fans seem to care; I don't know why he would.

It is all speculation; there's no facts here.