More photos » Elise Amendola - AP

2 months ago: New England Patriots cornerback Leigh Bodden (23) heads for a touchdown with an interception of a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery (89), being blocked by Patriots safety Pat Chung, right, in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Browse more photos »

The last time the Pats played the Saints, New England escaped with a 24-17 victory in Foxboro.  This highlight vid from NFL films features a lot of old friends who aren't around anymore: Branch, Vrabel, Wilson, Davis just to name a few.  The Saints look different, too.  No one will mistake Aaron Brooks for Drew Brees, for example.  No rest for the weary -- not this week, anyway. 

Use this space for jibber-jabber, if anyone's up watching the Monday night tilt between Tennessee and Houston.  They hate each other, and are treating us to a glimpse of playoff-level intensity.  Keep an eye on Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson and Mario Williams, as we'll be facing them the last week of the year -- a match that might have implications for playoff seeding.