Too many injuries, too few receivers bring Pats season to halt 2 wins shy of NFL championship

New England Patriots rookie free-agent, defensive tackle Joe Vellano, walks past quarterback Tom Brady's locker carrying an autographed team ball and a helmet at the NFL football team's facility in Foxborough, Mass., Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. The Patriots lost to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game Sunday in Denver ending their season. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia) (The Associated Press)

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick listens to a reporter's question during a media availability at the NFL football team's facility in Foxborough, Mass., Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. The Patriots lost to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game Sunday in Denver ending their season. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia) (The Associated Press)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – With too many injuries and too few receivers, the New England Patriots' season is over two wins shy of a Super Bowl championship.

They may have overachieved with rookies and unproven free agents playing key roles. But they were overmatched when they ran into the NFL's best offense.

The Patriots (13-5) saved their worst game of the season for the most important one when they lost to the Denver Broncos 26-16 on Sunday.

So on Monday, running back LeGarrette Blount stuffed his belongings into a large trash bag, defensive tackle Joe Vellano left the locker room with an autographed football in his helmet and other Patriots talked of how much they'd overcome just to get to the AFC title game for the third straight season.

___

AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org