The controlled home-field advantage in the AFC all season until their Week 17 lo s to the dropped them behind the .That shift in seeding played a key role in ' season-ending defeat, as the benefited from Terrence Ross Jersey home-field advantage while hitting an astounding 23 times in the AFC Championship Game.The late-season slide responsible for New England's trip to Denver did not escape owner Bob Kraft's notice."I think ," Kraft told Maria Stephanos of WCVB-TV in Boston on Wednesday, via ESPN.com, "it's that the conference championship game wasn't played here in our hometown."Each NFL season is a battle against attrition and adversity. Unbeatable Dwayne Bacon Jersey at peak strength through 10 games, the were a materially different team in December with a litany of injuries on the offensive line, at wide receiver and throughout the defense.By the time they got reinforcements in mid-January, they were still mi sing home-field advantage, left tackle Mo Bamba Jersey and dynamic pa s-catching back . Those three factors weighed Wes Iwundu Jersey heavily in the at the hands of Wade Phillips' Denver defense.Here's what else Kraft had to say on Wednesday: He lauded Bill Belichick and as "the greatest coach and quarterback of all time." Kraft had an interesting interaction with the head of football's first family at 50. "I happened to see Archie (Manning Vic Law Jersey ) there," Kraft said. "He has two sons who have won two s (each). But with all due respect, we have one son who has won four." Although Kraft alluded to Deflategate and injuries as obstacles, he was amazed by the ' mental toughne s and "next man up" approach throughout the season.