Once Aqib Talib went down with an injury on pick play by his former teammate Wes Welker, the New England Patriots defense really had no answers for Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning.
Manning picked apart the Pats D for 400 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Broncos past the Patriots 26-16 to advance to Super Bowl XLVIII in New Jersey in two weeks.
Tom Brady was 24-of-38 for 277 yards and a touchdown. After basically plowing through opponents the past few games, the Broncos shut down LeGarrette Blount as he was held to six yards on five carries.
Julian Edelman led the Patriots with 10 catches for 89 yards.
Given how many injuries the Patriots suffered this year, I'm proud of this team.
They fought through adversity and almost made it to the big game. It will be interesting to follow the offseason of the Patriots to see how they build the team for 2014 and a run at their fourth straight AFC Championship Game and a trip to Super Bowl XLIX.
TABLET/MOBILE/ PC HIGHLIGHTS (FULL GAME)
Game Recap: Broncos 26, Patriots 16
Game Notes: Patriots vs. Broncos
Gamebook: Patriots vs. Broncos
Bill Belichick Postgame Press Conference Transcript
Tom Brady Postgame Press Conference Transcript
Patriots Postgame Quotes – 1/19/2014
Broncos Postgame Quotes – 1/19/2014
For more Patriots love, head on over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England, ESPN Boston, Providence Journal and WEEI websites.
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photo credit: getty images
