CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick flashed a couple of smiles. He handed out flattering compliments -- one going to a rookie. And he even cracked a joke.
When it comes to postgame news conferences, this was as happy as Belichick has been in some time, and why not? Backed by a strong defensive performance that helped overcome a slow offensive start, his Patriots had just thoroughly defeated the Carolina Panthers by a score of 24-6 at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday.
Better yet, the Patriots have turned their season around with three straight wins, morphing from a 2-4 team that looked like it might be heading in the wrong direction to a 5-4 playoff contender in the wide-open AFC.