Jamie Mottram's Sports Blog - www.misterirrelevant.com

For the first time in a historically distinguished six-year career, Tom Brady has lost a playoff game. For the first time in a not-so-distinguished nine-year career, Jake Plummer and his hair are one win away from the Super Bowl. And for the good of us all, we don't have to hear about the Patriots anymore. Denver killed the king, and now they host Pittsburgh for the right to represent the AFC in Super Bowl XL. Here's what bloggers be sayin'...

Rocky Mountain Stampede comes out of hibernation to represent his peoples:

"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."

 Champ comes up big

The Belly Check maintains that it was the zebras, and not the Broncos, who dictated the outcome:

"I've seen less referee error in the WWE. These men should not only lose their jobs, they should be banned from wearing stripes ever again... unless it's the outfits that one associates with people doing jail time. I hope the NFL looks into the obvious crookedness of the refs and the proximity of the game to the gambling casinos of Nevada.

At the start of the 4th Quarter, Denver had 17 points. These points were giftwrapped and handed to them by a ref crew that operated with the subtle bias of a carjacking. The bogus pass interference call, the missed false start, and the Bailey fumble through the end zone... I can honestly say that I have never seen officiating alter the outcome of an important game in so dramatic a fashion."

 Mike Anderson scores TDs

Premature Jockularity acknowledges the officials' gaffes but gives credit to Denver as well:

"On a night when the defense played well enough to win (the touchdown drives were 1, 15 and 40 yards, with 39 coming on a highly questionable intereference call) and coordinator Eric Mangini nailed down the Jets job if he hadn't already, there were just too many offensive and special teams mistakes. Meanwhile, Denver played nearly mistake-free football, and while Brady posted gaudy numbers, the defense gave him the kind of beatdown (still?) girlfriend Bridget Moynihan has fantasized about dealing him since he began turning up in gossip columns allegedly trying to hit on Olsen sisters and carrying on with Derek Jeter's passarounds.

Repeat, fellow citizens: This is not karmic smackdown. Denver played better."

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• #2 Comment from acdcrockerwang1 
  1/19/06 5:04 PM | Permalink

  I didnt get to watch that game in person, but when i saw the game on ESPN, i was extremely shocked. After all, I wanted the Broncos were going to win in the first place, but i thought there was something wrong when the Patriots only put up 7 points. The cheapest penalties i have ever seen in my football life were called in this game. The refs made some absolutely horrid calls, and the game ended up giftwrapped and delivered to the Broncos doorstep. The pass interference. Incorrect! The D-back was making a play on the ball and it was incidental contact. The Champ Bailey late hit call. (BUZZ) Wrong again. That was a fair play, a fumble, and the Pat's should've gotten the ball back. I know i said i wanted the Broncos to win, but isn't this a little overdramatic???  
• #1 Comment from wniederhut 
  1/16/06 7:57 PM | Permalink

       Of course Belly Check and the East Coast blogers are going to blame the Zebras for Denver's victory over New England!  I would have expected nothing less of people who knew nothing about the Broncos going into the game, and went 0-4 in their predictions for the divisional playoffs!   Denver pounded Brady for 60 minutes, just like they did in October, when he rated a 79.  As for the pass interference call--which that old New York Giant Phil Simms made such a big deal about during the game--it is indisputable that Ashley Lelie had Asante Samuel beat on the play, and that there was  a lot of arm contact in the end zone, well beyond the five yard zone for illegal contact.  Samuel also ran into Lelie's running lane on the play.  What were the other questionable calls? Is Belly Check also blaming the officials for Champ Bailey's great play on the pick?  Perhaps he should change his moniker to Belly Ache, at least until next year when the Patriots are back on the field.