"Best football" and "losing" is an oxymoron IMO. The Colts just aren't as good as the Pats. Period. End of story. Was it a close game? Absolutely. But as Belichik said, in some games, the whole game is decided on 3-4 plays. YOu can play 59 minutes but the game is decided in the last one. And that's where the Pats excel. They are the best coached and metally tough team in the NFL, hands down. Brady is also the most clutch and cool under pressure QB in the league as well. Manning might put up better numbers but he can't win the Big Game. His stat is usually inflated as well because there are always 2-3 games in the season that he goes off and throws 5 TD's. Then there are others where he throws 3 Int's and a 150 yds.[/QUOTE]
Saying the Colts aren't as good as the Pats is ludicrous. I will grant you that Dungy has been badly outcoached by Belichick in all three games, but the teams on the field are very evenly matched. The Colts killed themselves in the last two regular season games and the officiating was so horrible in the AFC Championship Game, the rules had to be re-explained to the refs. The Patriots are an excellent team, but so are the Colts. If they played three more times, it is quite possible that the Colts would win the next three.
It is also very cliche to say that a player is "clutch". Studies have proven again and again that there are not "clutch" players. If QB's when games (as you seem to imply), why didn't Brady win his team's game 15th game as his team stood at 8-6. The last two games were huge if NE was to go to the playoffs, but the Pats lost game 15 and their chance to defend their title. I would not argue that Brady choked. I would not argue that Manning chokes. I believe QB's help win games but don't do it by themselves. If winning big games is the sole definition of a good QB, then Terry Bradshaw would be the best QB of all time. I'd much rather have the "loser" Dan Fouts leading my team. Brady is a very good QB, but Manning is outstanding. Give Manning New England's defense and he's going for his 4th SB right now.