I know this because he yelled at me for the first time in years last weekend when I dared switch the channel during the Pats-Dolphins game. “Turn it back,” he yelled. “I think Moss may score again!”
 
Seriously? Come on! The game was 28-0 by halftime and the only intrigue left was just how bad the score would get against a team that acted like it won the Super Bowl when they won their first regular season game two weeks ago. He didn’t care if it was my house and he was visiting. He was focused.
 
He eventually settled down, however. Because even dear old dad is a sports fanatic and knew full well just how huge last weekend was in setting up what will be a dramatic finish to the regular season.
 
Below is a brief look at some of the big storylines:
 
Patriots against New York Giants for the chance to go 16-0. How dramatic could this get? Boston against New York – NFL style. The Patriots did what all good teams do when they face a team like Miami – and that is they didn’t let a bad team sneak up on them. Of course, finishing perfect in the regular season won’t mean jack squat if they don’t win the whole thing.
 
Dallas Cowboys earn home field advantage thanks to Bears beating the Packers. This is huge for the boys because it eliminates any threat of playing in Green Bay in January. I can’t say that I am a Cowboys fan – never have been. But the good news for those of you who hate me for saying that is that I still feel they are going to make it to the Super Bowl against the Patriots. I know a good team when I see one and Dallas has a good team. Odds on beating the Pats? Slim to none.
 
The Giants and Jaguars both clinched a playoff spot. Giants have a chance to crush the hopes of many a Patriots fan this coming Saturday night – only if they can get enough pressure on Tom Brady. The Jaguars? Hey, they are a dangerous team and anyone who thinks otherwise is crazy. Sure, they haven’t shown that they can beat the Colts, but they did go up to Pittsburgh two weeks ago and win in the cold. I don’t imagine anyone wants to face them right now – possibly the hottest team besides the Pats in the AFC.
 
The Steelers clinched their division thanks to a Cleveland loss to Cincinnati. And not to mention, because Cleveland couldn’t earn its way to the postseason, they gave the Titans a chance to control their own destiny heading into this weekend’s showdown with the mighty Colts. NBC moved this game, by the way, to Sunday night – a smart move considering the alternative was Jets-Chiefs.
 
If the Titans win, they will have overcome an improbable run to the playoffs with a team many thought wouldn’t win more than four games. And let’s not forget about the Redskins shall we. After all they have been through, beating the Vikings last Sunday night kept them in the playoff hunt. They’ll get the Seahawks in the first round if they can outlast the Vikings and Saints for that final wild card spot.

So what have we learned? Even in a season where one team may run the gauntlet for the first time since the 1972 Dolphins – a sight many fans weren’t alive to see back then – the NFL still offers so much for its fans. Even my dad recognized that … but he’ll still have one eye fixed on his beloved Patriots.

Until next time, I’ll see you on the sidelines.