Patriots just don't have it in AFC Championship

After an interestingly surprising season, the New England Patriots fell short Sunday to the Denver Broncos, 26-16. The Patriots just did not look like the normally tough to beat, explosive team they are known to be. The Broncos on the other hand looked very determined, as if nothing was going to stand in their way of getting to the promised land.

Tom Brady and the Patriots opened the game with back to back three and outs, and proceeded to never lead once in the game. After they got on the board the closest they got was seven (10-3). It was just a all around dominating performance by Peyton Manning and the Broncos.

Manning unlike Brady looked determined and excited to be there, and was a man on a mission. He performed very well throwing for 400 yards and no turnovers. He did not have an issue finding Julius and Demaryius Thomas who combined caught for 15 catches and over 200 yards. The Broncos after they went into the half up 13-3 seemed to be in cruise control. They immediately went up 20-3, and then the game seemed to be close to out of reach.

Brady and the Patriots seemed to be lacking something. Which isn't much of a surprise considering they had lossed their three main defensive leaders for a good part of the season, and Talib got reinjured early in the game. So without Talib, Wilfork, or Mayo it was hard to put pressure on Manning. Then on the offensive side, they never established a running game, so they had to turn to passing. With Brady, that shouldn't have been an issue right? When Brady had very little time to throw, and without Gronk, it was very hard for him to find targets to throw to, and this ultimately led to their defeat. But with all the losses, and them no where near playing at full strength, it was considerably a good year for the Patriots, and they definitely grew as a ball club. Do not be surprised to see them in the exact spot next year, well how can you not with Brady as their quarterback?

For the Broncos, this win clinched them a spot in the Super Bowl, and Manning will get a shot at a second ring. They will get to play either the Seahawks or the 49ers who play tonight, and they will get a good test, but also a very good chance to bring home Denver's first title since 1998.