Season Ends; Dynasty Still Alive

So, this is what it feels like to be a Peyton Manning/Indianapolis Colts fan. For the first time in the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady-Super Bowl Champion era of the New England Patriots, we were disappointed with the outcome of a playoff game. For the record, the Belichick-Brady Patriots had won ten consecutive playoff games, good for three Vince Lombardi trophies. And it all ended so quickly in Denver on Saturday night; Brady was off his game (though he still passed for 350+ yards), the offense gave up the ball too much and the defense was victimized by some questionable calls. Still, we all knew it would end someday. Only in backyards and imaginations does the hometown team always walk away the victor. No matter how in shock Patriot Nation is today, don't let the hangover of one playoff loss let you forget for even a second how much greatness we have witnessed since Mo Green almost ended Drew Bledsoe's career. The Patriots will be back. They may never win another Super Bowl with Brady & Co. but there is too much talent, too much experience and too much pride for this team not to back in the hunt, starting in 2006. There will be losses -- defensive coordinator Eric Mangini could be the next coach of the New York Jets by this afternoon, wide receiver David Givens is likely a goner and they could be joined in the exodus by the likes of Richard Seymour, Adam Vinatieri and Stephen Neal. But personnel and coaching losses have never derailed the Belichick Patriots, they always find a way to recover. The 2005 season is now officially over. There will be no third straight Super Bowl for the Pats. We will probably be watching a Denver-Seattle Super Bowl. But 2006 is right around the corner...