The Globe's Ron Borges has long since retired the trophy as the biggest Patriot hater in Boston. Since the day Bill Belichick took over he's criticized every personnel move, taken umbrage with every free agent they've let walk, ripped every free agent they've signed, second guessed every draft pick, and questioned every public statement the team has made.

The only competition Dr. Evil has had for the top (bottom?) spot was the Herald's Kevin Mannix, who once famously called Belichick "duplicitous pond scum." But after the Pats started collecting championships, even Mannix saw the light (then got fired). Borges is hanging onto his loathing of the Pats like a member of Opus Dei, sworn to protect the Big Lie.

Even three Super Bowls and the best winning record of any coach in the playoffs in history wouldn't force Ron off his mark. One thing you could say in his favor was at least he was consistent. Until now. Last night Borges was on FSN's "4 Downs with Felger" show. When Felger went around the panel and asked for their final predictions for Sunday's game, Borges went with the Colts. Specifically, he said he agrees with SI.com's Don Banks, that the Pats won't be able to stop the Colts wide receivers.

And here's what he's saying on MSNBC.com:

Defense, Brady will lift Pats over Colts, again

Indianapolis isn't about to end its playoff drought against New England

...the Patriots gave up a franchise record-low 237 points, an average of 14.8 points per game. That ranked second in the league in the only defensive statistic that matters and that has changed little in the playoffs.

Going into Sunday's showdown for the AFC Championship in Indianapolis, New England is third among AFC playoff teams in points allowed, having given up 18.5 per game. What may be just as critical is that while their defense has been stout all year, they are the AFC's leading scorers in the playoffs, averaging slightly over 30 points per game in their wins over the Jets and Chargers. That may not make them better than their best Super Bowl championship teams but it just may make them good enough to add more jewelry to their safe deposit boxes.

du·plic·i·tous adj "marked by deliberate deceptiveness especially by pretending one set of feelings and acting under the influence of another"