It seems that the blame for the Pats defensive letdown was enough for defensive coordinator Dean Pees to leave his post. The team announced just four days after the playoff loss to the Ravens that Pees is leaving after four seasons as the defensive coordinator.

Pees said he told team owner Robert Kraft and coach Bill Belichick that he would not seek a new contract after his current one expires at the end of January. “I enjoyed my time in New England, but feel this is the right time to pursue other opportunities,” Pees said in a statement issued by the club on Thursday.

The Indianapolis Colts remain undefeated and broke the NFL record for consecutive regular season wins in Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos 28-16.

Peyton Manning passed for four touchdowns, three to Dallas Clark, as Indianapolis eclipsed the New England Patriots’ string of 21 victories between 2006 and 2008.

The Colts (13-0) have not lost a regular season game since falling to the Tennessee Titans 31-21 in October 2008.

Indianapolis also wrapped up home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs and became the most successful NFL team in any decade with their 114th victory since 2000. The San Francisco 49ers held the previous record of 113 wins in the 1990s.

LaDanian Tomlinson is still not fully recovered from a sprained right ankle, and as a result hell miss his second consecutive NFL regular season game this Sunday. Tomlinson was hurt in the San Diego Chargers season opening victory over the Oakland Raiders and didn’t play last week. The Chargers are slated to host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday afternoon.

After playing in eight consecutive regular season games last year, the superstar running back has missed three of the Chargers last four games including the Chargers AFC playoff loss to the eventual Superbowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

Tom Brady returned to NFL action and looked good in limited playing time as the New England Patriots opened their preseason schedule with a 27-25 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Brady played into the second quarter, moving well and showing no lingering effects of his knee surgery.

The Patriots also rewarded their NFL preseason financial backers by winning outright as a +2 road underdog. The combined 52 points scored shattered the posted total of 32 for an easy OVER.

Bradys solid play was no doubt a heartening sight to Patriots fans, though he had little to say after the game on the specifics on his performance: