"You can't win them all..."

No team has been able to beat the Patriots in 10 consecutive playoff games, but tonight someone finally did...

Themselves.

Tonight the Patriots out played the Broncos drawing up 420 yards total to Denver's 286, but when the time and game mattered the most this team took the gun, and shot themselves in the foot with 5 turnovers. Turnovers that not only gave the Broncos possession, but great field position.

Turnover 1: RB Kevin Faulk fumbled on the Patriots 39 and two plays later the Broncos score after a VERY questionable pass interference against CB Asante Samuel. (Broncos 7 - Pats 3)

Controversy 1: The flag on Asante Samuel was 3-5 seconds late for it to be interference, and one of the few questionable calls by tonight's refs even in Bill Belichick's eyes and the game announcers. The call should have been offensive pass interference making it Denver's ball, 2 and 20 on the 50.

Turnover 2: On the kick after the previous TD, Denver kicker Todd Sauerbrun made the hit on CB Ellis Hobbs that jarred the ball loose. Denver took over on the Patriots 39 again. Three plays later K Jason Elam nailed a 50 yard field goal. (Broncos 10 - Pats 3)

Turnover 3: QB Tom Brady who had a few bad passes tonight finally threw an end zone pick after marching 78 yards down the field to CB Champ Bailey. Bailey returned it 99 yards, but was knocked out at the Pats 1 by TE Benjamin Watson who came from cross field stealing Bailey's thunder on the play. From 1 yard out RB Mike Anderson scrambled in after LB Larry Izzo missed the tackle leading to an altercation between him and LB Willie McGinest on the sideline. (Broncos 17 - Pats 6)

Controversy 2: Benjamin's hit on Bailey jarred the ball loose, but the question was if the ball went out of bounds or out of the end zone. The refs ruled it inconclusive, but Belichick felt differently after the game. If it was ruled out of the end zone it would have been Patriots ball on the 20.

Turnover 4: Adam Vinatieri missed from 43 yards out letting the Broncos take over on their 33. After a Seymour sack the Broncos are forced to punt. WR Troy Brown calls fair catch, but ended up muffing it away. The Broncos recovered on the Pats 15 and scored three plays later. (Broncos 24 - Pats 6)

Turnover 5: Backed up on the their own 11 Brady unleashed a bomb to WR Andre Davis who was triple covered. The pass was intercepted by FS John Lynch and brought the game to and end as the Broncos ran the clock out.

From my perspective this is a tough loss to swallow. This team was a good team, and they should have beaten the Broncos when they came out onto the field for the second half. Belichick had a great game plan in place. The offense was picking up the blitzes and converting short passes while the defense was keeping Denver's running game on the back burner. But because of the miscues it didn't happen and now we as fans have to wait for next year.

As for the Broncos, I'm not taking anything away from them because they capitalized when given the opportunity. Now they have to wait to take on the winner of tomorrow's Colts/Steelers playoff game. I'm sure their coach Mike Shanahan will use this game as a motivational tool. The Broncos had several things go in their favor tonight; crowd noise (several Patriots false starts), on field calls, and some great field position off of opponents mistakes. These things won't happen if the Steelers lose to the Colts tomorrow then they'll have to be ready to play in that dome.

Seattle won as I said (Told you so Mr. Creavin), and they now wait for the winner of the Bears/Panthers match up.

Well, before I go I have some news for those of you who live in the New England area. Beginning next Saturday you'll be able to hear me on WBET AM 1460. I'll be appearing on Mark Chauppette's Radio show "On the Mark" from 11AM to 1 PM, and Thursday between 3PM and 5PM.