Just catching up on this thread . . .
I always say you can tell how the Patriots will do during the first 5 minutes of a game. Not so good. It looked like the Patriots had not prepared for the game and the Broncos did. The Pats made it look interesting at the end, but they probably would have gone down in OT.
The Pats had a poor showing in games since Thanksgiving, injuries to some extent, but there seemed to be more to it. Something ain't right and it showed yesterday.
Regardless, the Panthers look amazing, and I cannot imagine the Patriots or the Broncos winning against them.