For most Pats fans, losing to Peyton Manning in the post-season is one of the most painful experiences to deal with. They would rather lose to ANYONE else. The only losses that sting more than the losses to Peyton are the losses to his brother, Eli, in the Super Bowl.
A few days after feeling down about another tough loss to swallow at the hands of Peyton, I'm beginning the process of moving on. I'm "on to the off-season," in the words of Bill.
As I start to look forward, I have a different take than most fans do regarding losing to Peyton Manning in the playoffs. As much as it stings in the short term, the longer term effects of such a loss have proven to be a huge net positive.
Therefore, if the Pats are going to lose and not win it all in a given year, I WANT their post-season loss to be to Peyton Manning. Why, you may ask?
Well, because over the course of Bill Belichick's entire tenure in New England, no losses have seemed to sting Belichick (and the Krafts) more than the losses to Peyton Manning in the AFC Championship game. (Even more so than losing The perfect season or to The Giants for a second time.)
The constant, singular factor that has motivated Belichick and the Krafts to aggressively upgrade their roster and open up their checkbooks has always been a season-ending loss to Peyton Manning. Just take a look at the past history.
38-34 loss in 2006 AFC Championship Game in Indianapolis: Defense blew a 21-6 halftime lead. Brady had absolutely no weapons to work with in the passing game (Reche Caldwell was the team’s leading receiver). The Pats’ defense got chewed by tight end Dallas Clark for 137 yards.
2007 Off-season: Pats went out and signed the big fish on the market - Adalius Thomas - to help cover tight ends and rush the passer. They completely revamped the offense, bringing in Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Donte Stallworth at wide receiver, finally giving Brady the weapons necessary for an explosive pass offense. Slapped the franchise tag on Asante Samuel to make sure he stuck around for more season even though they had no intentions of signing him long term. Didn't trade out of the first round and took Brandon Meriweather, who they talked up as a ball hawking, versatile defensive back who could play corner and safety. They even signed guys like Sammy Morris and Kyle Brady to provide higher quality depth on offense after the disaster that 2006 was.
2007 season: An all-time great team that can within a few odd bounces of going 19-0.
26-16 loss in 2013 AFC Championship Game in Denver: Pats’ pass defense gave up 400 yards and 2 TD to Peyton Manning, getting torched for 137 yards by Demaryius Thomas while running Alfonzo Dennard out there as a starting corner. Brady's weapons in that game consisted of Edelman, Austin Collie, Matthew Mulligan, and Michael Hoomanawanui. Amendola was invisible, Gronkowski was injured.
2014 Off-season: Let Talib walk, but sign the big fish on the market once again - Darrelle Revis - and also pick up Brandon Browner to immediately upgrade the secondary in a big way. Signed Brandon LaFell in an attempt to bring in an outside the numbers wide receiver threat to help open up the offense. Opened up the checkbook and re-signed Julian Edelman, who many thought would not be back after the commitment made to Danny Amendola the previous off-season. Took a flier on proven pass rusher Will Smith, who was ultimately cut at the end of camp. Stayed put in first round of draft and took a risk on a guy lauded as an undersized, disruptive interior rusher in Dominique Easley, who is more of a passing down player than a “four down player.”
2014 season: Super Bowl victory over defending champion Seattle.
As much as it stings for Pats fans to lose to Peyton Manning in the playoffs, the good news is that it seems to sting Belichick and the Krafts just as much, if not more. They have consistently reacted with big, bold off-season moves the last two times their season was ended by Peyton Manning. These moves immediately upgraded the roster and led to Super Bowl appearances in the following seasons.
So while losing the AFC Championship game Sunday and not being able to celebrate a fifth Super Bowl this season blows right now, the silver lining is that maybe we are in store for another epic off-season that really focuses on making the most out of Brady's last few great years.
A revamping of the offensive line to allow the team to protect Brady better and run the ball more effectively as he ages? Better outside the numbers wide receivers or a tight end like Aaron Hernández who can dictate coverage, get deep, and separate against man coverage? An added pass rusher or versatile defensive back who is a ball hawk? A trade up in the draft? A trade for a proven veteran burning to win a ring? An impact free agent signing? Who knows?
Bottom line: All I know is, if we had to lose this post-season, I'm actually GLAD we lost to Peyton Manning, because that has been the single greatest motivating factor for Belichick and the Kraft's to aggressively improve this team. And i think the process has already begun to take shape, with the number of staff changes being made already. This feels like it is just the tip of the iceberg.
And let's be honest: Tom Brady is going to be 39. We only have a few more cracks at it with him at the level he's currently playing at. No one beats father time. And as great of a coach as Belichick is, there will no doubt be a drop off for a period of time when the team has to transition to a new QB. It's inevitable. You're not going to just have a guy like Andrew Luck drop into your lap like Indianapolis did.
So, If the pattern holds to form, get ready for an exciting off-season and pencil the Pats in for another Super Bowl appearance next year.
Ben is as good or better than TB. 
