Ben Watson Stops A Defensive Touchdown
In a sport in which speed, size, and talent so predominate and steal headlines, one memorable play during the Divisional Round of the 2005 AFC Playoffs in Denver was a reminder of how valuable certain other qualities are in football: hustle, concentration, relentlessness. With the Broncos leading the two-time defending champion Patriots 10-6 in the third quarter, New England faced a third and goal deep in Broncos territory. Tom Brady threw a pass intended for WR Troy Brown in the end zone, but it was intercepted at the goal line by Denver’s Champ Bailey, the Hall of Fame corner back. Bailey ran down the left sideline, destined for the end zone. Off screen and out of Bailey's line of vision the Patriots’ Ben Watson, a second-year tight end, had been sprinting the length of the field. And when Bailey started jogging in advance of the goal line, Watson came out of nowhere and knocked Bailey out of bounds at the 1. The unusual result: a 100-yard interception not returned for a TD. And while the Patriots relinquished a touchdown anyway, and went on to lose 27-13, Watson’s play was emblematic of the intangibles that helped fuel the Patriots’ dynasty.