Hasselbeck sits, cites “conflicting emotions”

I don't care that Seneca Wallace threw 3 touchdown passes on Sunday, nor that former Patriot Deion Branch found the end zone twice. Because the lasting image from Seattle's choke-job on Sunday was Wallace getting decked by an untouched blitzer, fumbling to end a half-hearted comeback effort by the now 2-11 Seahawks. Wallace has, is, and always will be a backup.
Naturally, Matt Hasselbeck sat this one out. His presence likely could have been the difference maker. Instead, the proud Boston native cited an earlier back issue as a means for not having to go against his secret favorite team, the one his father played for in the 70s.
As the Patriots now coast through the rest of their schedule and a gift AFC East title, this is the game we will look back on as the one that got away. The grueling images of Seattle allowing a 4th-and-goal, go-ahead touchdown after having outplayed New England all day. Wallace putting the ball on the turf at crunch time. And most of all, bald number 8 wearing civvies on the sideline.
There is little doubt it was predetermined he wouldn't go in this one. Heaven for bid he took a few hits on Thanksgiving day in Dallas. His absence is eerily reminiscent of the Patriots' opponents last season, when seemingly every week the team it was facing was without several key players.
Lucky for us, that won't be an issue next week when the Patriots travel to Oakland to take on the NCAA Raiders, a sad-sack team in utter disarray. JaMarcus Russell's injured ankle will be a blessing, if anything, as he is prone to some of the worst throws possible.
The overrated Cardinals follow in Week 16, and then the Bills, who haven't found the end zone against a team other than the Chiefs in nearly a month, to close out what once was a promising regular season for Patriot-haters like myself.
Hasselbeck, you got your wish.