By JIM DONALDSON, The Providence Journal

The New England Patriots are a more-than-respectable -- especially considering all of the injuries they've had -- 6-4, but, if the playoffs were starting this weekend, they would be on the outside looking in.

Well, the Boston Red Sox just missed getting back to the World Series, but the New England Patriots -- decisive 41-7 winners Monday night over Denver -- sure look like they'll be going back to the Super Bowl.

Just kidding.

BOSTON -- This is why Lawrence Peter Berra was a genius.

And why the Boston Red Sox are defending World Series champions.

And why baseball is not merely the National Pastime, but the greatest game of all.

Sportswriters, like lawyers, can argue both sides of a case.

They just don't get paid as much to do it.

Bearing in mind that you get what you pay for, here is an argument for why the Red Sox could sweep the Los Angeles Angels in the American League Division Series that opens Wednesday night in Anaheim.

And also one for why the Angels could sweep the Red Sox.

Forgive me if I'm not all that delighted by the prospect of the Boston Red Sox finishing second in the A.L. East. Nor am I all that disappointed in New England Patriots fans who poured out of Gillette Stadium in the second half Sunday like school kids who were told they didn't have to return to classes after lunch period.

Let's start with the Pats:

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Jets should be ashamed of themselves. The Patriots, on the other hand, should be very proud.

Pride is what carried New England past New York, 19-10, Sunday at the Meadowlands.

"I'm really proud," coach Bill Belichick said, "of the way the guys stepped up and played. A lot of people didn't expect us to do much today."

FOXBORO, Mass. -- Being ready to play is not the same as expecting to play.

Matt Cassel is always prepared to go into a game. But the New England Patriots backup quarterback seldom gets the chance.

Until Sunday.

FOXBORO, Mass. -- Here's the latest example of why Bill Belichick may be the least-quotable Wesleyan graduate in history.

Question (asked at Wednesday morning's news conference): For a team to win back-to-back conference titles, what would you say are the top three or four things they need to accomplish?

Answer: Play better than the other team, whoever that is.

When I think of Carl Yastrzemski, two things come to mind.

One is the season for the ages he had in 1967. The other is how, in 1979, the year I began working here at The Journal, he would sit in front of his locker in the clubhouse at Fenway Park and conduct post-game interviews with a can of beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other.

The health of quarterback Tom Brady's injured foot could determine the success of the Patriots' season.

Just ask Gisele Bundchen.

Or New England football fans.