The less said about the game that ended here in San Diego a few hours ago, the better. But as the Ravens head back east, situations are developing in Foxboro that could cause them big, big problems next Monday night.

The Patriots lead the Eagles as the second half is beginning. But they only lead 24-21, and just took the lead with eight seconds left in the half.

Now, they still might end up pulling away, covering the 24-point spread, and bombing the hell out of the Eagles in the fourth quarter with a five-touchdown lead. After all, Tom Brady did finally admit last week that, yes, they are "trying to kill people'' this season. And ESPN's Sunday Countdown had a feature this morning about the "Humble Pie'' that Bill Belichick hands out in the way of microanalyzing flaws and mistakes in film sessions every week to keep the players on edge - and about how Adalius Thomas made T-shirts for everybody with the phrase on it.

Well, losing at home to an Eagles team without Donovan McNabb until the final seconds of the first half is about all the humble pie these guys are going to need for next week. If the Eagles actually come back and win this, God help the Ravens next week. You think the Patriots are merciless now, watch out if they come to town after having their perfect season broken up and their bubble burst and the whole cheating and running-up-the-score routine thrown in their faces all week.

Chances are, the Patriots being close at halftime for only the second time all season is probably going to be enough humble pie for the Ravens to be paying the price next week.

On the topic of payback and running up scores, by the way, this Boston Globe story from Sunday tries to put everything about this Patriots season into perspective. This Herald piece, meanwhile, forecasts all the records the Patriots have a chance to break this season.