2008 Woodie Awards
Denver Broncos End Patriots' Record Playoff Run
Frank Schwab/The Gazette (KRT)
Issue date: 1/16/06 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 2 next >
The formula the Denver Broncos used to win their first playoff game since Super Bowl XXXIII and end the New England Patriots' championship run was bizarre, but it worked. The Broncos could not run the ball, their biggest hit of the night was from punter Todd Sauerbrun, cornerback Champ Bailey was run down on an interception return by a tight end, but the Broncos did not care how it looked.
Their 27-13 win against the Patriots, who had won a NFL record ten straight playoff games including three of the past four Super Bowls, put them in next Sunday's AFC Championship Game and one win away from the Super Bowl. "It don't get no better than this," Broncos fullback Mike Anderson said.
If Indianapolis beats visiting Pittsburgh on Sunday, that will set up a Broncos-Colts playoff game at the RCA Dome for the third straight season. Denver has lost at Indianapolis each of the past two seasons in the playoffs. Two years ago the Broncos lost 41-10. Last year the Colts won 49-24. Denver would host the AFC title game if the Steelers win.
Four of the five Patriots turnovers Saturday night led to twenty-four points, which made up for Denver's lack of offense. The biggest play of the game might have been the strangest. Bailey made a spectacular interception in the end zone, seemed to let up right before scoring a 101-yard touchdown and fortunately for the Broncos, his fumble went out of bounds at the one-yard line.
New England trailed 10-6 in the third quarter and was on the verge of taking the lead when Bailey stepped in front of Troy Brown in the end zone and intercepted Tom Brady's pass. Bailey and Darrent Williams decided to switch before the crossing pattern and it worked perfectly, Bailey said.
Bailey ran down the sideline and looked like he had a touchdown, but never saw Patriots tight end Ben Watson coming from his right side. Bailey appeared to let up right before crossing the goal line and was drilled by Watson just before he got in the end zone. Bailey was separated from the ball, which flew out of bounds at the one-yard line.
Their 27-13 win against the Patriots, who had won a NFL record ten straight playoff games including three of the past four Super Bowls, put them in next Sunday's AFC Championship Game and one win away from the Super Bowl. "It don't get no better than this," Broncos fullback Mike Anderson said.
If Indianapolis beats visiting Pittsburgh on Sunday, that will set up a Broncos-Colts playoff game at the RCA Dome for the third straight season. Denver has lost at Indianapolis each of the past two seasons in the playoffs. Two years ago the Broncos lost 41-10. Last year the Colts won 49-24. Denver would host the AFC title game if the Steelers win.
Four of the five Patriots turnovers Saturday night led to twenty-four points, which made up for Denver's lack of offense. The biggest play of the game might have been the strangest. Bailey made a spectacular interception in the end zone, seemed to let up right before scoring a 101-yard touchdown and fortunately for the Broncos, his fumble went out of bounds at the one-yard line.
New England trailed 10-6 in the third quarter and was on the verge of taking the lead when Bailey stepped in front of Troy Brown in the end zone and intercepted Tom Brady's pass. Bailey and Darrent Williams decided to switch before the crossing pattern and it worked perfectly, Bailey said.
Bailey ran down the sideline and looked like he had a touchdown, but never saw Patriots tight end Ben Watson coming from his right side. Bailey appeared to let up right before crossing the goal line and was drilled by Watson just before he got in the end zone. Bailey was separated from the ball, which flew out of bounds at the one-yard line.