Super Owl Set as Browns Top Patriots

The Patriots' underheralded, under-the-radar yet brilliant season came to an abrupt end Wednesday morning as the visiting Cleveland Browns defeated the No. 1 seed 14-12 in the house that Brady built.

The Browns moved the ball with ease to open the game, capping off a 70-plus yard drive with a 9-yard TD run by HB Jerome Harrison. The Patriots responded with a long, clock-draining drive of their own. It slowed down as they approached pay dirt, though, forcing the home team to settle for a 44-yard field goal.

The rest of the first half consisted of punts and dueling interceptions, with QB Tom Brady's pick coming in field-goal range with under 30 seconds to go in the half. Ill-advised pass No. 1. His next pass, leading off the second half was also picked off and returned for a TD, resulting in the Browns' only other score of the game. 14-3 Browns mere seconds into the 3rd quarter thanks to ill-advised pass No. 2.

Showing the resiliency they had displayed for most of the year when trailing late, the Patriots pushed the Browns to the limit for the remainder of the game. Their next drive was another long one that ended in a 33-yard FG with 1:44 left in the 3rd. The Pats D then took over and quickly got the ball back, and the offense then responded with an impressive mix of solid runs and quick passes, setting up 6-yard TD run by second-year HB Rashard House.

With the score 14-12, the Pats went for two but failed to convert on a feeble fullback run. Sensing victory close at hand early in the 4th, the Browns began running the clock, but while they managed a fourth-down conversion in their own territory to keep the drive going, they couldn't convert the subsequent long third down and were forced to give up possession with about 5 minutes remaining.

The Patriots began this final drive realizing their season hung in the balance -- and for a while, the gave the New England faithful reason to believe. Brady and House led the Patriots down to the Browns' 27 with just over three minutes remaining, at which point the Browns called a timeout to collect themselves. Whatever words of inspiration were muttered in that defensive huddle worked, because the course of the game changed on the next play.

"Bet the" House broke free on an HB draw for roughly 8 yards. At the end of his run, though, and despite gripping the ball with all the might that the right bumper could handle as the impact approached, House fumbled. The fans were first shocked as the play happened, then pissed when the refs wouldn't overturn the call (a prayer, admittedly), and finally flat-out bummed as McCoy converted a few first downs that iced the game.

Though it was a sunny day in Foxborough, it felt far more cloudy by the end. And so ends the 2012 playoff run for all but two teams.

Some final notes and thoughts:

• Those final two drives saw the Patriots first injure and then knock out Browns CB Charles Tillman, although he's not currently on the injured list, so it looks like he's manning up for the big game.

• Patriots' starting halfback, Felix Jones, was almost over his broken collarbone and would have returned for the Super Owl. Instead, he could only grit his teeth at that final fumble.

• Congrats and a big up yo'self to Zack. He played a near-impenetrable defense and is a master of the user pick and hitting to hurt. Those absolutely made the difference in this game.

• Good luck to both John and Zack in the Super Owl. What are the odds it'll be as low scoring as the AFC Championship Game?

• Finally, sorry to let down those of you who were pulling for the gregfood-helmed Patriots. I gave it a good go. It's been a hell of a year.

• #ltl

Hold your head high Patriots...you had one hell of a run...

What's with all the defense, I thought that was broken in Madden 11?

Congrats for a great season Greg. I look forward to seeing your post-season plans take shape.

As regards to John and Zack - have a great SuperOwl. The two best teams facing in the Championship game - how it should be.