Bill Belichick called Sunday’s loss “disappointing.” (Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports)
DENVER — Just over 12 hours after the Patriots fell to the Broncos, 20-18, in the AFC championship, Bill Belichick took to the podium for his season-ending press conference back at Gillette Stadium.
The coach had the same thoughts as he did after the game — it was a tough game and a tough loss.
“I have a lot of respect for the way our team competed,” Belichick told reporters. “Proud of it. Had guys battling right until the very last play with a chance to tie or win, however you want to look at it. I think each of us that competed in the game — players, coaches — all feel the same way. Probably a couple plays, couple of calls, whatever, that we’d all like to have back. Close game like that, I think you always feel that way. This is no different. Denver is a good football team. We had some opportunities, but in the end just came up a little bit short. This obviously a disappointing feeling this time of the year. Turn the page here and move on. Start the process all over again, that’s where we’re at.”
The Patriots started the season 10-0, but then went 3-5 over their last eight games. They lost their final two regular-season games to lose out on the No. 1 overall seed, which may or may not have impacted their chances of reaching the Super Bowl.
Belichick briefly reflected on the season as a whole.
“We did a lot of good things,” he said. “Won a lot of games and came up short in the end. Bittersweet.”
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