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发帖数: 4053 | 1 Loss of Aqib Talib key to New England Patriots' loss
By Gregg Rosenthal
Around The League Editor
Published: Jan. 19, 2014 at 08:11 下午
Updated: Jan. 19, 2014 at 09:10 下午
Wes Welker's most impactful play in Sunday's AFC championship might not have
come on a reception. New England Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib was sent to
the locker room after taking a big hit from Welker and never returned.
Tom Brady and the Patriots overcame a 24-point halftime deficit against the
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It was surprise that Welker was not called for pass interference on the play
, as it appeared he hit Talib after Peyton Manning threw the ball to
Demaryius Thomas. It was the second straight season that Talib was knocked
out of the AFC Championship Game, and this time it was a devastating blow.
Talib was the best last man standing on a Patriots defense that lost Vince
Wilfork, Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes and Tommy Kelly.
"As it turned out, it was a key play in the game," coach Bill Belichick said
after the game.
Talib had the assignment of covering Thomas on a lot of early snaps Sunday.
His absence with a knee injury forced Kyle Arrington and rookie Logan Ryan
into more significant action, and they didn't handle the snaps well.
New England started the season looking like it had its best defense in a
decade. By season's end, it was the same ragtag, overmatched bunch that
often struggles to get stops in the playoffs. The Patriots gave up 507 yards
, more than any other game in the Belichick era.
The Broncos also suffered two injuries in the game. Knowshon Moreno suffered
a chest injury and didn't return. Cornerback Tony Carter had a concussion
and also didn't come back for Denver. |
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