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Today in Patriots History
Ben Watson Runs Down Champ Bailey
Benjamin Watson's Remarkable Effort (3:31):
Ben Watson Runs Down Champ Bailey
Benjamin Watson's Remarkable Effort (3:31):
Remembering one of the greatest forgotten plays in Patriots history
While the first postseason loss of Tom Brady’s career is not a moment many Patriots fans enjoy looking back on, the game is memorable for one of the greatest plays […]
www.boston.com
A decade later, it remains a truly remarkable feat of athleticism and character.
While the first postseason loss of Tom Brady’s career is not a moment many Patriots fans enjoy looking back on, the game is memorable for one of the greatest plays in franchise history.
Occurring in a 27-13 defeat to the Broncos at Mile High Stadium in January, 2006, the extraordinary play has been cast aside by history in large part because of wider circumstances. Still, there’s no denying that Ben Watson chasing down Champ Bailey over 100 frantic yards has to rank as one of the most impressive displays in the entire Belichick era.
Saturday January 14, 2006 at 8:15
2005 AFC Divisional Round Game at Invesco Field
Denver Broncos 27, New England Patriots 13
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Mike Shanahan
Quarterbacks: Tom Brady, Jake Plummer
Odds: Broncos favored by 3
Patriots finish 11-5, ending hopes for a three-peat
Broncos improve to 14-3; move on to AFCCG vs Pittsburgh
Denver was leading 10-6 late in the third quarter when the Patriots started a drive at their own 22 following a punt. On the first three plays Tom Brady completed passes of 33 yards to Troy Brown, 26 yards to Deion Branch, and nine yards to David Givens. Corey Dillon ran five yards off left tackle on the following play to give the Patriots a first and goal at the five yard line.
A false start, a five yard completion to Branch and an incomplete pass to Givens set up third and goal at the five. On a safety blitz Brady rolled to his right and threw off his back foot for Troy, not getting enough zip on the ball. Champ Bailey stepped in front for the interception. With the line of scrimmage so close to the pick, it only took a few steps for him to be past most would-be tacklers. Kevin Faulk had a chance at the 45, but Bailey side stepped him and had a clear path for the end zone.
Then Watson made his famous effort play - but what usually gets lost in the story is the fact that the Patriots should have got the ball back, rather than Denver scoring from the one-yard line to take a commanding 17-6 lead.
Click below for four tell-tale still photos:
What if Ben Watson's play against Denver was called correctly?
Clearly the ball went of bounds in the end zone (and not the one yard line), which would have given the Patriots possession at the twenty, with the score still 10-6. Whether or not the Pats would have used that play as an emotional lift to victory is impossible to say.
The reality is they made bad plays near the end of the first half that cost them ten points. A Kevin Faulk fumble gave Denver the ball at the New England 40, and on the next play Asante Samuel had a bad pass interference giving the Broncos first down at the one, leading to a touchdown. Ellis Hobbs fumbled the ensuing kickoff, gifting Denver with another three points. Then early in the fourth quarter Adam Vinatieri missed a 43 yard field goal, followed by Troy Brown muffing a punt. Three plays late Denver scored another touchdown, and the Broncos had an 18 point lead.
10 years later, Bailey thinks Belichick may have been right
Ten years later, Champ Bailey admits that just maybe Bill Belichick was right. Ten years ago today, Bailey’s 100-yard interception return of a Tom Brady pass in an AFC divisional playoff game in Denver was a key play in the Broncos’ 27-13 victory over the Patriots. Patriots tight end Benjamin...
www.nbcsports.com
“I get it,” Bailey said. “Because I thought it was a touchback. When I was on the sideline, I was saying, ‘Did the ball cross? Did I get in? Did I get in?’ Everybody on our bench of course was optimistic. ‘Yeah, you got in.’
“I was like, ‘I don’t think I got in.’ And then when they put it at the 1, I thought, “Wow, that’s great.”
Champ Bailey's Interception Return (0:57):