Last modified: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 2:30 AM EDT Patriots’ quarterback Matt Cassel (16) tries to scramble away from the Chargers’ defensive rush Sunday night. (Staff photo by Keith Nordstrom) FARINELLA: Doom descends on New England With the Red Sox engaged in a desperate battle for their continued existence in the American League Championship Series and the Patriots still reeling from their 30-10 humiliation at the hands of the San Diego Chargers on national television, it came as no surprise that I would run into an old friend at Logan Airport as I disembarked from a long, long flight back from the West Coast Monday night. There, standing outside the closed "Fuddrucker's" hamburger stand in Terminal A and giving it the evil eye was my long-time pal, the Voice of Doom. The Voice of Doom, or "Doomie" as I like to call him, always seems to surface when things are on the verge of going horribly wrong around these parts. We became acquainted many years ago, probably around the time that Chuck Sullivan wanted to bring Michael Jackson to the old stadium to start his "Victory" tour, and we've kept in touch ever since. Extremist as Doomie's views may be, he still seems to have a knowing finger on the pulse of New England sports and his predictions have the ring of truth to them. His perspective may not be what you want to hear, but you know deep in your heart, it's what you're really thinking. If you're familiar with the new Delta terminal at Logan, you know it's a long way from the high-number gates to the baggage claim area. So, even though Doomie was in a rush to get to his duties as a world-class harbinger, we still had time to catch up and discuss some of his latest observations. Here's how the conversation went: VOD: Hey, Fearless! How's the blood pressure doing? MF: You never miss a trick, do you ... under control, fortunately. Thanks for asking. VOD: That's my job, ol' buddy. Worst-case scenarios are my specialty. MF: That's why I figured you'd be around here before long. This is right up your alley, isn't it? VOD: Sure thing. I would have been here sooner, probably right after Tom Brady went down, but I was busy with the McCain-Palin campaign. That Sarah, she's one hot ticket. Every time she opens her mouth, she gives me so much material to work with, I hardly have to do any work at all. MF: Yeah, but you know your true love is New England sports. You'd be miserable if you couldn't make New England miserable. VOD: Ha, ha, you are so-o-o-o right, Mark. I've missed you guys. I haven't had any reasons to be around here lately except for the Bruins, and nobody cares about them. MF: So, Doomie, what's the agenda this time around? Sox first, or Patriots? VOD: Since I know you just got off the plane from San Diego, I'll tell you what you're already thinking. How about 5-11? MF: Holy cow, Doomie! Five wins? That's two more than I thought you'd give them. VOD: Yeah, I'm becoming a soft touch in my old age. I just get the feeling that Mike Holmgren has mailed it in this year and that Oakland is so bad, the Patriots can actually win those two on their next trip to the West Coast. MF: And they lose the other nine games? Wow! I was thinking 8-8 was a possibility now, but not much worse. How do you see that? VOD: Well, let's start with Monday night at home against Denver. You know Mike Shanahan regularly outcoaches Belichick. The Rams are next, and now they're feeling better about themselves after winning their first game under Jim Haslett. MF: Yeah, but that game's at Gillette. That's a tall order. VOD: Admittedly, that game is huge in making my scenario work. If the Patriots lose to the Rams at home, it will be demoralizing. Then they go to Indy, and it looks to me as if Peyton Manning's back on track. That starts the tailspin in earnest, with losses to Buffalo, the Jets, Miami down there and Pittsburgh at home. MF: With that kind of tailspin going on, that kind of shoots holes in your theory that they can win in Seattle and Oakland, doesn't it? VOD: Hey, buddy, I was being charitable. But they'll make up for it by losing to Arizona and Buffalo to finish the season. MF: OK, you've told me what will happen. Now tell me why. VOD: Look at them carefully, Fearless. They can't go deep, and they can't stop other teams from going deep against them. Philip Rivers embarrassed the secondary. He gained 50 yards a shot with ease, when the Patriots couldn't get a single yard when they needed it. MF: Points well taken. VOD: And what about the defense? Belichick's not giving out special parking spaces to workout warriors any more. He's giving them out to senior citizens so they don't have walk as far to the locker room. MF: Not funny, Doomie. VOD: OK, OK, bad joke. But you can't deny that they're looking old and slow out there. And that secondary ... whew! Guess you guys didn't really need Asante Samuel after all, huh? MF: Don't blame me for that. I just cover 'em ... so what you're telling me is that it's not Matt Cassel's fault? VOD: Naw, not at all. Every team in the NFL should be able to win with a quarterback who hasn't been a starter since he was in high school. MF: I saw that coming 50 miles away, Doomie. VOD: Yeah, and you just keep telling people that the Patriots can still make it to the playoffs every time Cassel leaves a throw for Randy Moss 10 yards short. At this rate, Wes Welker will have 130 catches for 500 yards by the end of the season. MF: My bag should be on the carousel soon, so quickly, what are your thoughts about the Sox? VOD: Big Papi has become the Big Popup. Ellsbury can't beat out bunts for three bases. Beckett's hurt, Dice-K is feast or famine and the bullpen scares the dickens out of me before you get to Papelbon. And what the heck is Timlin doing on the roster? Does he have incriminating photos of Terry Francona or something? MF: So you're saying ... VOD: There are plenty of Rays in Florida, but it's always sunny in Philadelphia. Hey, there's my bag. MF: Mine's not here yet. I wonder why... oh, wait. Look who's standing next to me. VOD: Hope there wasn't anything important in it, buddy! See you at the stadium Monday night ... and stay out of those hamburger joints! MARK FARINELLA may be reached at 508-236-0315 or via e-mail at mfarinel@thesunchronicle.com. Read Farinella's blog, "Blogging Fearlessly," at thesunchronicle.com/farinella.