Have the Patriots clinched an excuse for not winning the Super Bowl?

Other talented teams had clinched their excuses weeks ago, with the Steelers losing Troy Polamalu to injury for most of the season in Week 1 and the Titans and Panthers blowing their seasons by sticking too long with awful quarterbacks. But had Welker, the New England's leading p catcher, not stepped up with a clutch torn ACL and MCL., Patriots fans may have been reduced to blaming their upcoming playoff defeat on Brady's two injured ribs........ a far less desirable excuse.