The AFC championship game was a good game, for many reasons. First and foremost, because after all the Brady vs Manning media hype, they figured less in the outcome than many of the other less acclaimed players on both teams. It was a close match-up that remained undecided right to the closing minutes. And it was NOT decided by any officiating shenanigans, bad calls, or catch / no-catch interpretations, IMO. As much as the announcers tried to poke the proverbial hornets' nest with the stuff about the tablets not working, it did not involve any whiny losers accusing the winning team of underhandedness. What it came down to was that the better defense beat the better offense, which is what football pundits have been saying is true for decades.
Payton didn't look very good, but that is mostly because his body is old and he can't play to the level he used to. Brady didn't look very good either, but I credit the Bronco defensive intensity for that. The passes he did make were nearly always under pressure, and they forced uncharacteristic interceptions throughout the game.
Still, the game came down to a freak missed PAT early in the game being the difference between the Denver win and a probable tie and extra minutes. You couldn't ask for a closer match-up. Sure, it's disappointing to New Englanders that the Pats didn't advance to the SB after the treatment they've received over the past year. But they certainly proved their point along the way, and even in the AFCCC yesterday. And we realize that even a good team can't win it all every year.
And now the super bowl is likely to be another blowout with Denver on the short end of the stick. Carolina will be very tough matchup for the Broncos. I guess I'm rooting for Denver as a parting gift for Payton. He certainly has earned it over the years. But I don't think that is the most likely result.
