CLOSE CALL: Eagles vs. Patriots
By Andrea de Vera
OnlineTickets.com
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – In NFL Week 12, the New England Patriots hosted the Philadelphia Eagles inside Gilette Stadium Sunday. 
Who Came, Saw, and Conquered: Not since Week 9’s New England Patriots–Indianapolis Colts showdown has the NFL seen the Pats sweat, let alone trail going into the fourth quarter. Yet the Pats (11-0) escaped with a 31-28 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles (5-6) to avoid the ultimate underdog upset.
Lookin’ Good: Patriots CB Asante Samuel
Samuel finished with two interceptions, returning one 40 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. With 3:58 left in the fourth quarter, the Pats protecting a 31-28 lead, and the Eagles knocking on the red-zone door, Samuel came up big once again with his second INT to shut down the Eagles’ drive and seal the victory for the Pats.
Seen Better Days: Patriots QB Tom Brady
Despite 380 passing yards in the game, Brady has seen better days. No, really. Brady completed only 34 of a season-high 54 pass attempts, threw a season-low one TD, and got sacked a season-high three times. Evading the Eagles’ blitzes and constant pressure, Brady struggled and seemed somewhat out of his normally fluid rhythm for the first time this season.
Keep an Eye On: Patriots run game
With the Patriots calling 54 pass plays for 380 yards to only 15 run plays for 48 rushing yards, look for the Patriots to return to a more balanced offense in Week 13 with more touches in the backfield, keeping defenses honest and Brady on his feet.
Week 13 Watch: Green Bay Packers (10-1) vs. Dallas Cowboys (10-1)
With two good AFC South games on the Week 13 docket – Jaguars (8-3) @ Colts (9-2) and Texans (5-6) @ Titans (6-5) – all eyes will likely be on the Packers–Cowboys marquee game. As two of the NFC’s top teams and QBs – Brett Favre and Tony Romo – face off inside Texas Stadium, Thursday’s match up will mark the first time since 1990 that two 10-1 clubs will meet.
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