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Denver ends New England's historic run, advance to the AFC Title Game!
Broncomaniacs can rejoice! It's been a long 7 years for us! I know we're spoiled fans but its refreshing to know we don't have to hear this anymore:
"Mike Shanahan and the Broncos haven't won a postseason game in the post-Elway era"
Denver didn't play the prettiest game, but their unheralded defense carried them to victory once again. Ever since the Kansas City defeat, the Denver defense has been remarkable in their five game winning streak holding opponents to an average of 10.0 points a game.
Random thoughts on the game:
-Champ Bailey only got one only vote for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year! Time after time this season, Champ has made game changing interceptions that have made a difference in the end. The Patriots were threatening to take the lead on a momentum swing in the 3rd quarter and Champ's 100 yard pick is what really changed the tide. If New England scores a touchdown at that point, I am not so sure Denver was doing enough on offense to answer the call.
-Whoever said John Lynch made the Pro Bowl on reputation was dead wrong. Lynch can still wreck havoc, just ask Tom Brady and Drew Brees.
-All week, the media yapped about Denver's 29th ranking in passing yards allowed. That stat is very misleading. Denver had the second ranked rushing defense in the NFL. All season long, they stopped the run forcing offenses to be one-dimensional and had the luxury of playing in a lead. Defensive coordinator Larry Coyer wants opposing defenses to pass. Coyer is going to keep rattling you by bringing the heat and eventually the quarterback is going to turn the ball over. Brady had a good night, but many times he threw passes off target and hurried throws because of the pressure.
-New England had a remarkable, historic run and its far from over. They will be back next year. Tom Brady is still the man. One postseason loss doesn't change that. Joe Montana had a tough time winning postseason games between 1984 and 1988 and nobody remembers him for those playoff setbacks.
-Todd Sauerbrun was the unsung hero of the game booming the ball 3 times inside the 20 and he made the most unlikely turnover of the game, he forced a fumble with his helmet on a textbook form tackle on Ellis Hobbs right before the end of the first half. Sauerbrun used to be a lacrosse player back in the day!
-The defense and special teams bailed out Denver's offense. Plummer had his moments throwing the ball to Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie, but dropback, 3rd and long pocket passing is not his strength. New England's rush defense was all that it was cracked up to be. Denver really didn't start running the ball effectively until the 4th quarter when the game was already in hand. If Brady didn't throw the pick to Champ, Denver would have had a tough time taking the lead back on the Patriots' D. Seymour, McGinest, Wilfork, Vrabel, Colvin, Warren, Bruschi and company has nothing to be ashmed of. They showed up to play.
-Denver won their first postseason game without John Elway since Craig Morton and the 1977 Orange Crush team defeated the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Title Game on route to Super Bowl XII.
-The Broncos advanced to their 8th AFC Title Game and are 6-1 lifetime in AFC Championship Games.
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1/21/06 10:07 AM
chelsi