Running up the Score: The Saga continues

(Quote Blogman)
Week 8: Up 45-0 versus Washington with 7:16 to go, 4th and 2 at the Washington 37-yard line: You can't justify this one to me. Bring out the FG unit or just punt it. It's 45-0! Going for it is what I would do in Madden if I wanted to stick it to my opponent. Yes, this is now the bar for whether or not a score is being run up. Verdict: Running it up.

Hmmm...I agree this is running it up, though there are two mitigating factors that make it less awful. 1) Backup QB is in the game, and since the game is in hand, you might as well try and get him more reps to evaluate him in a game situation. 2) Field position makes it a long field goal, and going for it on 4th down is actually standard operating procedure for the Patriots whether the game is close or not. This doesn't make it right, but at least I can sort of see some logic behind this one.

I actually have a bigger problem with the following play:

Up 38-0 with 11 minutes to play, Brady runs the ball up the middle on 4th and 1 from the Redskins' 7 yard line. In any other situation, you would kick the field goal here. No reason to go for it unless it's to rub it in the face of your opponent. Verdict: Running it up.

Just as bad as running up the score is the trash-talking coming from the Patriots bench late in the game. I don't understand this either. I realize it's an emotional game, but why are the Patriots trying to be the assholes of the NFL? There's some speculation that it's a big "fuck you" to the rest of the league for questioning the authenticity of their past accomplishments after the whole signal-stealing fiasco. While this has some merit, it seems like a strange way to send this message.

I suppose it's poor sportsmanship, but it's funny to hear some critics say "this will come back to bite them." How, exactly?