Jynnan Tonnyx

aren’t the only team that gets disrespected.

Hey, I’m not claiming the win against New England wasn’t ugly, or that Pittsburgh doesn’t look pretty scary going into the AFC Championship, but why is Denver the favorite punching bag for all the columnists today?

The Patriots committed five turnovers, but somehow to these wags, that doesn’t reflect on Denver at all. Never mind that only one, the Hobbs fumble of the punt return, was unforced. Brady forced a bad ball that ended up in Champ Bailey’s hands because he was being run ragged by the pass rush. His other pick was also due to pressure.

The Football Outsiders say recovering fumbles is basically luck, but causing them, and getting interceptions, are signs of team strength. Denver caused two fumbles and got two picks, for a +4 turnover differential. So where’s the respect?

And get mad all you want over the PI call against Samuel on that play to Lelie in the endzone, but do you really think Denver, driving from the Pats’ 40, wasn’t coming away with at least 3?

Here’s one more thing to chew on, sports fans: Denver has never lost an AFC Championship game at home, and is 6 for 7 total.

Losing at home, on national television, in a divisional game, in weather favorable to your team, with the division lead on the line, to your most hated rival (who are only 3-7) on a blocked field goal, by one point? It doesn’t get much uglier than that.

Final score: Raiders 25, Broncos 24.

My Dad just called and said a friend has two extra seats to the Broncos-Raiders game at Mile High tonight! Of course, the temperature outside is about 25° F, but what the hell? I’ve never been to the new stadium, and I’ve never gotten to watch Shanahan demolish the Raiders in person, either.