Subject: Hell Has Frozen Over During Week 14 Here's the longer version: The Patriots, mathematically eliminated from the playoffs took the field fighting for something more intangible than a ring or a trophy, they came to battle for their pride. Randall Cunnigham, recently picked up off free-agency, stood by the sidelines, and their was a gleam in this veteran's eyes as he was just happy to find one last team to give him a chance. He had a good game last week, but his team's loss overshadowed his opening performance in this past-winner's eyes. He was determined not to fuck it up this week. Standing there, drenched, he watched across a soaked and muddy field, as his opponent, the Buffallo Bills (Danny) psyched themselves up with a mass hysterical chant and came charging out of the tunnel. Dismissing them with a casual 180, Randall turned to his new troops and offered quiet words of inspiration, of determination. It might be over for them, but he'd be damned if they would leave the season feeling like losers. With 4 games left, they'd be the spoilers everyone hates and burn the doormat they had become. The game started off rough, with the Pats offense never seeming to be in sync. The first set of downs ended with a Bills interception, and it was quickly 7-0. Undaunted, used to rough starts and even poorer games, the Patriots returned to the field. This time, however, there was nothing the new QB could do as his O-line was simply bowled over 4 times in a row, culminating in a safety and a 9-0 deficit. Finally the defense showed up, and in a series that gave the fans some hope, saw the Bills stopped and Bledsoe already beginning to falter. Antowain Smith was to be the early hero, breaking into two 20+ runs and a slugfest up the middle. Cunningham finally got the time he needed, recovered his composure, and joined the game as a new force as well. The first half ended dramatically, down by a TD with under a minute left, Randall Cunningham turned to the football and said "I am nice to you, i bring you nice rum, stand up for you, but if you no help me now- i say 'fuck you, jobu, i do it myself'" - and proceeds to throw a touchdown with no time on the clock to send the Pats into the locker room in high spirits and up by 1, 24-23. The second half quickly degenerated into mayhem as each team shoved back and forth like a bunch of high school punks with no once succeeding in breaking loose. After consecutive defensive stops by each team and offset TDs, the Patriots were the first to break free and succeeded in scoring the go-ahead TD to make it 32-29. Bledsoe, looking to make a comeback and show-up his former team, proceeded to distingerate instead. A quick slant pattern was perfectly read by the Patriot defense and the forced pass picked off for a long return. With the Patriots actually up, they eyed the endzone and looked to put the game away. As Cunningham faded back, however, a tired offensive line just collapsed, and Randall fell beneath a surging Bills defense. Knocked back 10 yards the almost certain field goal became a questionable call. With the wind surging against him and the rain in his eyes, a fit of hubris enveloped Vinateri, and trying to overcome his past shame he gave the go-ahead to the coach. The kicking team took to the field to salvage what they could from the failed turnover drive for a LONG 56-yd field goal.... and then disconsolately left the field as it fell way short and to the right. Down by a field goal, the Bills abandoned the deep plays and in an almost-perfect 2-minute drill made it to the 15 yard line before the Patriots forced the stop with 04 seconds on the clock. Its up.... its GOOD!! To overtime! It didn't look good for the Patriots, and the word 'hearbreaker' was already being murmured amongst the fans in the stands. They lost the coin toss and seemed incapable of stopping the Bills offense. At midfield, Bledsoe took the snap and with 3 and a half minutes already gone in overtime, looked up to find himself nose to nose with a defensive lineman. Scrambling, he got taken down waaaay behind the line for a key 11 yard loss. With the game on the line, and 3rd and 21, he was knocked just as he let loose and Price could only watch as the ball sailed 10 feet past him to land. With 4th and 21 and a minute left, the Bills chose to punt it and put their faith in their defense and the Patriots poorly-rated offense. They forgot about Randal Cunningham though. With 1:03 on the clock, he used the patented patriot short-passing game to work their way down. Then disaster struck. In a game where both offensive lines agreed not to show up, he got taken down for a ten yard loss to make it 2nd and 20. The next snap, however, he managed to get rid of it just in time for a quick hard throw which was caught by a receiver desprately trying to keep his feet in. Despite all, it was ruled out of bounds. As a groan raced through the stadium, the refs decided to take one more look at such a pivotal call- they looked at every angle, and then walked calmly to midfield to announce in a voice that echoed into the oppressive silence, "After reviewing the play, the receiver had both feet in bounds and was in full possession of the football. The call on the field is overturned and no time out will be charged." The fans erupt in glee, and even one Bills fan joined in and cheered before realizing that "overturned" means the catch was good and bad for his team . A quick run to ice the kick - most likely in memory of Vinateri's past exploits- and using their last timeout, knocked the ball through the uprights for the 35-32 win over the Buffalo Bills (and Danny). Final Line: Randall Cunningham, 401 Yds, 3 Td's, 1 early Int, and the heart to see the team through the rough spots. Its always impressive when an unsigned free agent replaces the son of god at quarterback and does well too. Go Pats! Go Drunken Football! i got way too much time on my hands, but what a great game.