The Patriots Will Not Be in the Big Game This Year. Or Will They?

So neither of my teams made it to the big dance. You've no doubt heard by now that Seattle beat my Niners, sending those birds into the Super Bowl to play the Broncos who beat my Patriots. However, if you look at all the degrees of separation the Patriots have pretty good representation this year.

Let's look at Denver. The most obvious connection is Wes Welker. The wide receiver spent five years in New England and was a force to be reckoned with. The team of Brady and Welker helped garner him a place in NFL history. By the time he signed with the Patriots Welker had only been in the league three years. Denver Corner Back Tony Carter played for New England briefly, as did Linebacker Paris Lenon. Do you think they learned a thing or two?

The direct connection with Seattle is Coach Pete Carroll, who coached New England from 1997 to 1999. Why do I point all this out? Some of us Patriots fans need a little something to hang on to, and knowing that both teams in this year's big game spent some time in the fertile breeding ground that is Gillette Stadium is a comfort, if only a small one.

So - I gotta ask!