Very gracious, Ranger1; thanks.

I think you're still wrong ~ just a little bit! ~ in hanging on to the opinion that the Patriots lost a game the "should" have won. Not so ~ on that day, the other team was just a little bit better. New England didn't "lose": New York won.

But your viewpoint is understandable, at least for now. Give it another few weeks and maybe you'll become a little more resigned and a little more objective.

It is undoubtedly unfair that this year's Patriot team will be remembered not so much for the 18 straight victories as for the one loss. They are still one of the greatest NFL teams ever ~ and I'm saying that NOT as a partisan but as a disinterested observer.

As for the younger Mr. Manning, he has proven himself to be a smart and accurate passer, an above-average manager of the game, and a very tough customer. That may not be "all that," but it's certainly most of it!