Did Belichick make right call by starting Welker, Moss and Brady?

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The worst-case scenario happened to the Patriots didn't it?

New England not only loses the game against the Houston Texans, but perhaps the heart-and-soul of the team, wide receiver Wes Welker appears to be lost for the rest of the season and perhaps a lot longer.

Word is Welker tore both his ACL and MCL in his knee after making a catch and then trying to cut early in the game.

He went down without being tackled and never returned. You knew it was bad if you saw Welker's reaction on the sideline.

So the million dollar question is: Did head coach Bill Belichick make the right call by starting his most valuable players -- Tom Brady, Wes Welker and Randy Moss -- in a virtually meaningless game (the Pats were already in the playoffs regardless if they beat or lost to the Texans. They would either be the No. 3 or at worst the No. 4 seed)?

And if Welker is done for the playoffs, do the Pats have any shot at winning next week or going further in the postseason without Brady's top weapon?

Fan Fanatic Sports would like to hear what you have to say about Welker's injury, Belichick's coaching decisions and the Pats' chances in the playoffs.

This should get interesting.

Week 17 Recap: Patriots Lose More Than Just A Game

By Dan Shouse
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The Patriots lost more than just a game on Sunday, as Wes Welker looks like he is done for the year.

Texans 34 (9-7) Patriots 27 (10-6)

The real story of this one is Wes Welker. It looks like he is done for the year, and if it is the dreaded ACL tear, then next year could be in jeopardy as well. Not good news as the Pats head into the playoffs.

Bills 30 (6-10) Colts 7 (14-2)

As expected, the Colts did not even try, and handed the Bills and easy win in snowy Buffalo.

Steelers 30 (9-7) Dolphins 24 (7-9)

Give the Steelers some credit for playing like a champ, and not going down without a fight. The Steelers earned their 3rd straight win, sneaking by the Dolphins, and kept their slim playoff chances alive in the process.

Cowboys 24 (11-5) Eagles 0 (11-5)

Suddenly the Dallas Cowboys look like the best team in the NFL. The Cowboys clinched the NFC East with the win, and set up a rematch next week against the Eagles in Dallas.

Vikings 44 (12-4) Giants 7 (8-8)

The Vikings finally showed up, and put on an impressive show to lock up the number two seed in the NFC. Hard to believe this was the same Giants team that started the year 5-0.

Panthers 23 (8-8) Saints 10 (13-3)

Much like the Colts, the Saints rested most of their players. Much like the Colts, they did not put up much of a fight, as the Panthers scored the easy win.

Chiefs 44 (4-12) Broncos 24 (8-8)

Late season collapses are starting to become a Denver tradition. Jamal Charles ran for 259 yards and 2 TDs to knock the Broncos out of playoff contention. After a promising 6-0 start to the season, the Broncos went just 2-6 the rest of the way, including home loses to the Raiders and Chiefs.

Browns 23 (5-11) Jaguars 17 (7-9)

Who would have guessed, but the Cleveland Browns ended the season with a four game win streak. Behind another solid game from Jerome Harrison, who ran for 127 yards, the Browns made a case for Eric Mangini to keep his job.

Bears 37 (7-9) Lions 23 (2-14)

At least Jay Cutler was able to finish an otherwise miserable season on a high note. For the second straight week, Cutler threw 4 TDs, this time leading his team over the Lions in Detroit.

49ers 28 (8-8) Rams 6 (1-15)

The Rams locked up the first pick in the draft with yet another dreadful performance, this time at home against the 49ers.

Falcons 20 (9-7) Buccaneers 10 (3-13)

It may have been a disappointing season for Atlanta, but at least the Falcons finished on a high note by beating the Bucs, and securing back to back winning season for the first time in team history.

Ravens 21 (9-7) Raiders 13 (5-11)

The Ravens punched their ticked to the post season on the legs of Willis McGahee. McGahee ran for 167 yards and 3 TDs, as the Ravens locked up a wild card spot in the AFC.

Packers 33 (11-5) Cardinals 7 (10-6)

With Arizona resting most of its key players, the Pack had an easy day. The real game between these two teams occurs next week on the same field, as they will battle in the wild card weekend.

Chargers 23 (13-3) Redskins 20 (4-12)

Even the Chargers backups are better than Washington's starters. Billy Volek's TD pass to Mike Tolbert with 30 seconds left, helped the Chargers earn their 11th straight win. Good luck to Jim Zorn in his search for a new job.

Titans 17 (8-8) Seahawks 13 (5-11)

The only story in this one was Chris Johnson. Johnson ran for 134 yard and became just the sixth player in history to rush for over 2000 yards in a season. Johnson finished the year with 2006 yards.

Jets 37 (9-7) Bengals 0 (10-6)

The Jets had to win to get in the playoffs, and win they did. The Jets jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, easily beating the Bengals and moving into the playoffs