Re: 2009 vs another year in the 2000's
Neither did I. It was too soon after the AFFCG debacle and my gut still ached from the feeling of blowing a huge lead.
Looking back, I realize how great the performance by the Colts/Manning was in that game. We were in a similar situation last week as far as "huge early deficit at home in the playoffs," but we decided to lie down. Manning overcame Brady and all his demons to beat us in that game, and we couldn't stop a Rutgers graduate and a guy who has a Tom Brady poster hanging in his bedroom.
This season was more disappointing that any other in the 2000's for me:
Comparing the end of this season to the "non-ring" years of the last decade, the big difference is the optimism moving forward.
In 2002, we were just coming off a amazingly improbable SB victory and I did not know if we would ever get back there again. Plus, Brady's shoulder was about to fall off by the end of the Miami game - a game which capped a terrific ending to a tough season.
The loss to Denver at Mile High was tough because we never had control of that game...but Watson's play left me believing he'd come back the following year as the next Gates/Gonzalez...and we'd win SB#3.
The 18-1 season made me physically ill...but heck, we went 18-1! I really thought we'd destroy people the following year...all the way up until Bernard Pollard happened.
Last season, I was left with the optimism of a team that took a career nobody and went 11-5! The stage was set for this year...THAT is why I am so disappointed.