So, the New England Patriots' season finally ended -- albeit not the way they would've liked -- and the 1972 Miami Dolphins remain the only unbeaten team in NFL history.

It's too bad the Dolphins of 35 years later almost became a team without any wins at all -- thank you, Baltimore Ravens.

I live in a region that only enjoys its sports -- both professional and collegiate -- as long as the teams do well. I guess you could say we're going through a bit of a dry spell.

The one positive note: As I ate dinner at a nearly empty Thai-Japanese restaurant across the street from my alma mater, I noticed the TV on above the sushi bar was tuned (of course) to the Super Bowl. I didn't catch any of the actual game, but I did see the Walter Payton award for community service (or something like that) given to current Dolphin Jason Taylor.

At least someone down here is doing something right off the field when no one can seem to get it together on the field.