5 Worst Playoff Loses in the TB12/BB Era

#2 New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos 2015-16 AFC Championship Game 

Heading into this game the Patriots were heavily favoured to win. Why?

Denver Broncos’ QB Peyton Manning, whom had a dead arm and his worst season as a QB, was back at the helm needing heavy support from the Broncos defense, which were the best in the league.

After losing in overtime to the Broncos in Week 11 without key starters such as WR Julian Edelman or LB Jamie Collins, it seemed like the Patriots would likely win this game.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

Linebacker Von Miller and the Broncos front seven made this game a living hell for Tom Brady. He was on the ground more than 20 times (sacks, QB hits) and the offense could not get much going. This game came down to the battle of the trenches, and with the suspect offensive line that the Patriots fielded, it costed them the game.

They had opportunities to put points on the board, and make it a close game in the fourth quarter, but elected to go for it on fourth down twice and thanks to bad play calls, could not convert. The Patriots did make it interesting at the end of the game, scoring a TD on 4th and Goal, but could not convert the two-point conversion to tie the game.

This is definitely a game Bill Belichick probably would love to have back, as the Broncos man-handled the Carolina Panthers in the Super Bowl and won easily.

Next: Patriots vs. Colts 2006