I can't believe I'm even saying this

This was just published in the sports section of the Collegian. I wrote it after the game in question hoping i could either use it for this class or get it published, I guess I'll use it for both and elaborate on it next week or something...

It was that throw on the last drive that quickly sent me into denial. Tom Brady dropped back with 30-some seconds left - as he always does - and fired over the middle, expecting the receiver to race to the sideline - as he always does.

...Interception.

I didn't see the return. I didn't watch the trophy ceremony, I didn't see Brady and Peyton Manning shake hands afterward, or even listen to Bill Belichick's press conference. I took off my new Benjamin Watson jersey, sat down at my computer and played World of Warcraft (yeah, me too) until I forgot that football happened this fall.

I was beside myself until the following Wednesday when I came to my revelation, but before going any further I must explain to you that in the past couple years, I've lived two lives in the realm of sports: that of a fan, and that of a journalist.

As a sportswriter, the AFC Championship game is easy to write about. No one can come up with a better storyline than the one Brady and Manning have penned with their heroics this decade.

As a fan, you're spoiled. No matter which team you root for, you have the privilege of supporting one of the few teams that put in a great season every year - in a league full of parity and competitive balance. But just because you're spoiled doesn't mean you're any happier when it all doesn't work out.

That's where I was the few days after that game. The next two weeks, and that Super Bowl at the end of it, were just an inevitability. Part of me wanted to root for the Bears and hope Manning breaks his leg as he gallops like a giraffe out of the pocket on one of those goofy rollouts he does. But another part of me knew the Colts would win. They had more talent and a better team that played more as a unit.

Now that it's over, I think that part of me actually wanted Manning to get his ring.

Before you jump on me as a traitor and a Benedict Arnold of the modern-day Patriots, allow me a chance to explain.

Being spoiled by my favorite team winning three championships during my high school and college days, I've made sure I learn quickly to appreciate what I'm seeing because, much like sports dynasties performing a rare feat, we as fans get to experience one as well.

Pittsburgh residents old enough to remember the glory days of the 1970s still talk about the best days of their team. Just like the few remaining Bruins and Celtics fans talk about the times when Boston tops in their respective leagues.

Right now, this decade, is the moment in the sun for the New England Patriots and their fans. The fact that Peyton Manning will have a ring on his finger from now on, only makes it better.

Right now? I hate it. I hate that the Colts will be referred to as the "Defending Super Bowl Champs" all next season. As a fan, I feel I'm entitled to that. But ten years from now, I know I'll appreciate it. So, the sportswriter in me is trying - real hard - to appreciate it now, and I think all of my fellow New England football fans should too.

When this era of football is over, and another quarterback class is at the forefront, the 2000s will be remembered as the decade dominated by the Patriots, regardless of the Colts' championship. A few more in the next couple years could change that, but we'll leave that for the unknown.

However, if the Colts didn't finally win the big one - and the Steelers the year before, for that matter - the accomplishments of the Pats would not be nearly as significant.

Every great team needs that hated rival (or two). Its arch nemesis. Before the last two Super Bowls, the Patriots really didn't have one. Sure the Broncos beat them a few times, and Shanahan certainly hasn't made it easy for Belichick, but Denver hasn't accomplished anything for itself since Mr. Elway rode off into the Colorado sunset.

The two biggest rivals to the Patriots in the games that count - the playoffs - have been Pittsburgh and Indianapolis, especially Indy.

Outside of the three Super Bowl wins, the biggest victories for the Pats have arguably been the two AFC Championship games in Pittsburgh that became huge upsets, and twice shutting down the daunted Colt offense.

Maybe the Snow Bowl against Oakland was bigger to some, but the Raiders never should have been in that game. They lost their last three regular season games and limped into the playoffs.

So the title of biggest rival goes to Indy, with Pittsburgh as the runner-up. Those two now have Super Bowls under their respective belts, and what does that mean? It means that the Patriots dynasty is as legitimate as any other in NFL history.

Before the 2005 season, the Pats' dominance of the NFL could have been chalked up to the Colts and Steelers performing like choke artists in January. Now we know they can compete and win.

So, 10 years from now, we as sports fans can all look back and say with certainty that we witnessed one of the best eras of football and sports in general. Like the Lakers-Celtics rivals that went back-and-forth, with each winning championships, this rivalry has become one for the ages, making the next Patriots-Colts, Patriots-Steelers - or even Colts-Steelers matchup -exciting to watch again.

You have to admit, it's a lot harder to get tired of the same two teams playing when you truly don't know who's going to pull off the win. That's why people don't get sick of the Red Sox and Yankees playing almost 30 times a year.

The bottom-line is, without Lex Luther, you would have no Superman. Without the Joker and the Riddler, there's no Batman. And without the Steelers and Peyton Manning's Colts, there is no New England Patriots.

The "bad guys" have to win sometime. Otherwise, no one would cheer for the "good guys."