OT: Favorite Patriot Losses!

[gannoncannon]

While the Raiders loosing to the Chiefs made me want to vomit, the Patriots loosing to the Colts was just what the doctor ordered.

I'm an admitted Patriots-hater. Have been ever since the Snow Job. Whenever they lose (which, unfortunately, isn't very often), for me it's practically like seeing the Raiders win (itself a rare occurrence).

So in order to shift focus away from our team's struggles, here are my top ranked Patriot losses (with video links)!

Top Patriot Losses:
4. Loss to Miami in Week 3 last year, when the Dolphins unveiled the Wild Cat (link (http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d80afb27d/Dolphins-38-Patriots-13))
3. Loss to Indy last week (link (http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d8143b33f/Colts-35-Patriots-34))
2. Loss to Indy in 2006 AFC Championship. I thought that games couldn't get any more epic than this (link (http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d803c9c6b/2006-AFC-Championship-Colts-vs-Patriots))
1. Loss to NY Giants in the Super Bowl. I was wrong: this game was beyond epic. (link (http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d8067ec4b/Giants-17-Patriots-14))

[gannoncannon]

4. Loss to Miami

I love how the Dolphins caught the Patriots (and announcers!) completely off-guard with the then-unheard-of "Wild Cat formation". Notice how the announcers weren't even calling it "wild cat," but just described it as direct-snaps to the running backs.

We got to see all sorts of exciting variations: the handoff to the RB motioning right, the fake handoff and run up the middle, AND the HB pass for a TD!

This game was great because, going in, the Dolphins were 0-2 while New England was 2-0. Miami winning ended the talk of another undefeated season for New England, and was huge in making sure the Patriots didn't win their division or get into the playoffs even with 11 wins!

[gannoncannon]

3. Loss to Indy last week

This game was hyped up, and it delivered in full. First off, you have the whole Brady versus Manning story-line, which is great. Two future HOF QBs going at it is always exciting in the lead up to the game; it just so happened that in this game, both put their talents on full display and a lot of points were scored.

Then there's the comeback angle: Colts were down 31-14 in the 4th quarter and found a way to pull out a win on their final drive.

And, last but not least, there is Belichick's decision to go for it on 4th and 2. The decision itself instantly turned up the intensity of the game; when the ball was hiked, everyone was just like: "Holy shit, here we go!" If they had got the yardage, all we hear about is how great Bill is. The fact that they went for it and failed not only costs them the game, it sparks all this talk about Bill being arrogant, etc. Plus the loss hurts the Pats strategic standing in terms of playoff scenarios, which is always good :-)

[gannoncannon]

2. Loss to Indy in 2006 AFC Championship.

I remember watching this like it was yesterday. This was a clash of titans, a game that totally overshadowed the Super Bowl that followed. The patriots seemed to be in control (their first TD was scored by recovering their own fumble in the endzone), then Indy got things going in the 2nd half, down 21-6; they scored a TD on a QB-sneak, making it 21-13. Then they score another TD (on a pass to a backup defensive tackle!), go for 2 (Manning to Harrison), and get it to tie the game!
Patriots get a big KO return, and Brady throws a TD. Manning leads his team downfield, and the Colts score on their own fumble at the goal-line! Game tied again: Pats kick FG, Colts kick FG, Pats kick FG.

Now only a little over 2 minutes left in the game. Manning starts leading the team down the field. He completes a pass to Reggie Wayne, who coughs the ball up into the air while getting tackled. It feels like the ball floats up there forever, with three Patriot players all right next to him. This was quite literally a heart-stopping moment. Somehow he pulls it down for the completion. Colts keep going and score to put them up by 4. 38-34

Brady comes out w/ about a minute left, but can't get it done! He throws an interception and the Pats' fate is sealed. No Super Bowl: ha!

[gannoncannon]

1. Loss to NY Giants in the Super Bowl.

It would take too long to explain why and how this game was so fucking amazing.

[RF34]

All of the above!!!:D