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Patriots host Broncos in playoff rematch

Sep 19, 2006 - 11:04 PM Denver (1-1) at New England (2-0) Sunday 8:15 pm EDT

FOXBORO, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- The Denver Broncos ended the New England Patriots' dynasty last January.

On Sunday night, the Patriots look to exact a measure of revenge against the Broncos when the teams meet in a rematch of an AFC divisional playoff game.

Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey returned an interception 100 yards to set up a touchdown and the Broncos forced four other turnovers in a 27-13 victory over the Patriots at Invesco Field on January 14.

It was the first postseason loss for two-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady, who won his first 10 games to set a record for quarterbacks. The loss also ended any chance the Patriots had at becoming the first team to win three straight Super Bowls and four in five years.

The Broncos received credit as the team that ended New England's championship run. But it was the Patriots who beat themselves with turnovers - four of which led to 24 points.

New England appeared to be on the verge of erasing a 10-6 deficit in the third quarter after driving to the Denver 5. On 3rd-and-goal, Brady threw into the end zone for Troy Brown, where Bailey cut in front of the veteran receiver, picked off the pass and sprinted down the left sideline.

However, Bailey failed to make it to the end zone, thanks to an incredible display of hustle and speed by Patriots tight end Ben Watson. Bailey slowed down as he got inside the 10 and Watson made up ground from an angle, knocking Bailey down and jarring the ball out of bounds at the 1.

On the next play, Mike Anderson raced around left end for his second touchdown of the day, giving the Broncos a 17-6 lead with 43 seconds left in the third quarter.

Early in the fourth quarter, Brown muffed a punt that Broncos snapper Mike Leach recovered at the New England 15. Three plays later, Jake Plummer rolled to his right and hit Rod Smith with a four-yard touchdown pass to increase the lead to 24-6 with 8:38 left.

Plummer completed 15-of-26 passes for 197 yards with an interception in becoming the first quarterback to beat Brady in the playoffs. Brady threw for 341 yards.

Working with a depleted wide receiving corps that no longer features former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch - who was traded to Seattle - Brady is off to a bit of a slow start this season. He has completed just 50 percent (26-of-52) of his passes for 383 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions.

Last week, Brady went 15-of-29 for 220 yards and a touchdown with an interception in a 24-17 victory over the New York Jets.

While Brady works to get the passing game going, the Patriots have run the ball effectively with Corey Dillon and first-round pick Laurence Maroney. New England is third in rushing offense, averaging 165 yards per game.

Despite leading the Broncos to the AFC championship game last season, Plummer has come under criticism, leading to talk about first-round pick Jay Cutler possibly replacing him as a starter.

Plummer has guided the Broncos to just one touchdown and four field goals in their first two games. He has completed just 52 percent (29-of-56) of his passes for 311 yards and four interceptions without a TD.

Facing the prospect of their first 0-2 start since 1999, the Broncos used three field goals from Jason Elam to post a 9-6 overtime triumph against Kansas City last week.

Denver won in its last trip to New England - a 24-16 victory in 2002.