Brady keeps cool, laughs off fiery first down

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FOXBORO -- Despite how hard Tom Brady tries to be diplomatic, sometimes his emotions upset that oh-so-even keel.
He's said before that the biggest game is the next game. By that logic, playing Houston, beating Houston 42-14, was a big deal only because that's the team who happened to toe the opposing sideline.
But Brady had one hell of a moment in the third quarter.
It was third-and-5 and just 19 seconds remained before the final frame. The quarterback was in shotgun. He took the snap and looked for an outlet. Nothing. His shot was a gap in the middle of the field, so he pump-faked, and he ran.
Brady got six yards. He jumped to his feet and screamed in triumph, punching his right fist through the air and letting his body ride the momentum.
"I don't run too often," he grinned in the post game press conference. "I've got to show them that I can still do it a little bit. I was pretty fired up by then. That was a big moment in the game and I'm happy we got the first down."
New England was up 35-7.
The way Brady recalled it, you'd think the play was a game-changer. But the Patriots were already pressing a well-heeled boot down on Houston's throat by then.
Still, he cared lustily. It was Monday Night Football, his team was crushing the AFC's No. 1 seed, and he was enjoying every second of it.
As did the crowd.
Patriots fans echoed their quarterback's joyful roar. As Brady walked back to the sideline to ready for the fourth quarter he was showered in a familiar chant.
'M-V-P! M-V-P! M-V-P!'
More extracurricular stuff he doesn't have time to think about.
It's hard to imagine Brady won't be in the conversation for the NFL's prestigious award. The Patriots are currently riding a seven game winning streak; Brady has 19 touchdowns and just one interception in that span.
But he's not about to pat himself on the back. When asked who he considers to be the league's most valuable player, Brady thought better than to go near the question.
The sweat of the game was washed clean, the eye-black exchanged for a black sweater. He was, once again, the perfect politician.
"I don't have that vote," Brady tried with a smile.
Not even the safety of a hypothetical could comfort him.
"We don't answer hypotheticals with the Patriots. Head coach Bill Belichick would stand up here and say, 'You moron! Why would you answer a hypothetical question like that?'"
The room of reporters laughed along.
"And I sit right there," Brady said, pointing to the chair bolted to the floor directly in front of the podium. "He doesn't have to look very far."
Moron? Hardly. Clever enough to keep his fire to the field.

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