They came out flat and I do believe the pressure had finally caught up with them. They looked like they were playing not to lose, instead of attacking like they did all season.
I wouldn't call them "dropouts"... You going to call Antonio Gates and LT dropouts? There are a LOT of players that will not be participating in the Pro Bowl, due to injuries or various other reasons. Brady has the hurt ankle, which is why he isn't playing.
Why didn't I go running away? Because I still wear my Brady jersey and Belichick hoodie with pride. My team might not have won the SB, but at least they didn't lose it by throwing 5 interceptions and fumbling the ball away. They played a team on a hot streak who was able to take it to them with the front 4 for 60 minutes. The Giants and the Colts are the only 2 teams that i've noticed that can do it that way to the Pats, which is very good company for the G-men to be in.
I'm not a "fair weather fan," like a bunch of people on this site. I love the StL Cardinals (favorite team in baseball, my favorite sport) and I still wear my Jim Edmonds jersey with pride, even tho he got traded this winter and they didn't even make the playoffs this past season. The Razorbacks lose every bowl game they're in, but I still support them and wear my Hogs shirts with pride. I also like Ohio State and will wear my Ohio State shirt whenever I want, even tho they've lost 2 Championships in a row (very badly). I like LeBron James, even though he got swept in the NBA finals last year and probably won't even make it back to the Eastern Conference Finals (because of the Celtics and Pistons, damn they're good!). I'm a real fan, not just one who comes out and talks trash when their team is winning but then shuts up and goes into hiding when they're losing. Every team wins and loses big games, it's part of the unpredictability of sports which makes them so entertaining to watch (Example: See Superbowl XLII).
I'll give props to other teams when they're due, even the Cowboys.
I honestly think they'll try to keep Samuel, he's the best db they've got. They'll probably put the "Franchise Tag" on Moss, paying him $8 million for 1 year until they can get everything sorted out. Seau and Bruschi won't retire, they know they can get right back into the SB next year and actually win it if they have better DB's and more depth on the offensive line. Seau wasn't a starter until Roosevelt Colvin got hurt in week 10 and was put on IR, so if they get Colvin back and add a young, good LB to the mix then he'll definately stay.... So don't be surprised if they overhaul their defense (mainly linebackers and defensive backs) in the offseason like they did with their offense last year; they know what they need and they'll get it, but they won't pay big bucks for it.