As well documented on NuTang, I am a New England Patriots fan.

Last year, I wrote here after the AFC Championship when the Patriots lost to the Colts, and I wrote about the other foot dropping on a fan's heart when they know the game is lost.

I knew the game was lost before the middle of the fourth quarter. In fact, when the Giants scored their first touchdown is when I knew it in my heart.

However, it stings like a bitch because for the first time since 2003 I've felt the pain of watching my team let a championship slide away.

A lot of people will think I'm a greedy little bitch for wanting a fourth Super Bowl title, but what do you want me to say? "Oh man, what a great year, I think I'd be happy with 18-1 though simply because of the past success of my team."

Is that what it sounds like? Because that's stupid.

I will always want my team to win, and the only time I don't want them to win when they are not actually playing.

This game was for pretty much everything in football. It was for a fourth championship in seven years from a team who's greatest achievement before 2002 was losing to the best defensive team in NFL history.

I wanted the dynasty, I don't care how much anybody hates the Patriots, because I didn't care about jealousy.

So tonight, when I watched the Patriots choke like a two year old surrounded by marbles (sorry, it's vulgar, but I'm angry), I realized a feeling I hadn't felt in a very long time.

Sports induced depression.

I hadn't felt it since 2003 when Aaron Boone's homerun soared over the left field fence in Yankee's stadium, ending game 7 of the ALCS. The Red Sox had that game in hand, they had insurance runs protecting their lead, and their best pitcher came in and gave up the game.

In Superbowl XLII, the Patriots went ahead by four, and TWO miracles occured for the Giants on the following drive which ended in a touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress (the biggest mouth of the past week), giving the Patriots 35 seconds to get into field goal range.

On the Giants game-winning drive, Eli Manning threw an interception that went right through Asante Samuel's hands, even after Asante Samuel made a name for himself in New England making the big interceptions.

And then Eli Manning escaped from Jarvis Green's clutches, which nobody EVER DOES to throw a horrible pass that was caught by David Tyree, the real hero for the Giants in this game.

Twice, the Patriots had it.

Twice, they gave it back to the Giants.

They were under two minutes away from going 19-0. Getting rid of the '72 Dolphins smug grins, becoming the greatest team in the history of the sport.

And they choked.

Was it Tom Brady's fault?
No. Absolutely not.

Was it Asante Samuel's fault?
I want to say yes, but he misread a pass, you can't crucify him for that.

Was it Bill Belichick's fault?
Somewhat. The Team looked flat the entire game, and only scored 14 points, a new low for them this year.

I can blame this game on one part of the team. The offensive line. Particularly, Matt Light.

On the Wednesday before the first Pats-Giants game this year, my dad and I were talking about how the team is solid, the O-Line is good, and even though he's a pro-bowler, that Matt Light sure makes some dumb decisions.

And he showed it tonight.

And now I have to work tomorrow, in a job that revolves around the sports world. Dealing with Giants fans, who just so happen to be the worst kind of people.

One of my neighbors is a Giants fan, and this chore of a woman's husband is a Pats fan, and after the game I went to smoke a cigarette, and there they are, and she is taking pictures of him walking pantsless up and down the street. And it's disgusting. I called one of my good friends, Dave as soon as the Patriots lost the ball on 4th down and congratulated him, because he's a huge Giants fan.

And this bossy, chore of a woman is calling me a whiner, when I said nothing but "congrats" to her.

This is why I hate New York, because Yankees fans are the same way. But that is a different blog entirely.

And now all I get to hear for the next two weeks is Giants fans that just came crawling out of the woodwork when they made the playoffs talking about how great their team is, and that Eli Manning is the next... well Tom Brady, I guess.

So to all the fans that have yet to see their team win, beware.

I hope you get to feel what I felt in the beginning of 2002 one day. However, the next time you lose, rips out your heart and soul.

Trust me.

Love,
Chris

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