Veteran cornerback Champ Bailey helped turn the Broncos’ season around in the second game of the season when he stepped in front of a pass by San Diego quarterback Drew Brees and returned it for a touchdown. Bailey nearly did it again Saturday night. New England quarterback Tom Brady was looking for the end zone from the Denver 5-yard line but found Bailey instead of his intended receiver, Troy Brown. Bailey raced 100 yards down the Denver sideline before being knocked out of bounds by tight end Ben Watson at the 1. Adding to the drama, the ball popped loose, and New England challenged the ruling that it was Denver’s ball at the 1. The Patriots protested that the ball had not gone out of bounds at the 1 but traveled through the end zone, which would have been a touchback – resulting in New England getting out of trouble and taking over at its 20. Officials stood by the ruling on the field, and Denver scored on the next play to build a 17-6 lead. Champ’s play was a backbreaker for the defending NFL champs.
“Champ wheeled back and undercut him to make the interception. It’s tough – when I got hit I rolled over on the ground and I heard the crowd’s reaction. At that time I realized it was going the other way.”
Tom Brady
Patriots quarterback, on Bailey’s interception in the end zone late in the third quarter.
