Panthers 28, Broncos 17
Matt Lieberson: Nobody ever feels bad for the Patriots. Since my first memory of my beloved team is Tom Brady's first start back in 2001, I get it. They keep winning. They (allegedly) cheat… a lot. Their quarterback has a supermodel wife. Their coach is the biggest curmudgeon on the planet. So when the Patriots lost last week, I never expected any sympathy from anyone. Still, to get so close to the Super Bowl and come up short makes the entire season before it seem like a waste.
Patriots fans like myself often become complacent with the expectation of a Super Bowl.