As if the world was waiting for a moment to emotionally self-destruct, today, Patriot Nation was finally allowed to release that pent up animosity. Group therapy is now in session.

In a moment’s notice, New England was at “A Loss for Words,” watching its Patriots lose a devastating 35-34 Sunday Night game, at the hands of their hated rival Indianapolis Colts.

Bill Belichick’s team blew a 13-point lead in the 4th quarter, drawing memories of a checkered past, when Indianapolis overcame a 18-deficit during the 2006 AFC Championship game. That game was New England’s first and only Conference Championship loss in franchise history. This game was almost groundbreaking. 

The Week 10 meltdown witnessed by many was not as significant, but nonetheless, devastating. Devastating, and meaningful. Isn’t it funny that “almost” only counts in horseshoes?

Instead of being 7-2, the Patriots sit small at 6-3. Instead of handing the Colts their first loss of the season, Indianapolis lives to see another undefeated day, moving through the season 9-0, and share matching records with the New Orleans Saints.

Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning finally proved to the world why he’s just as good as the rest of ‘em. Leading 34-28 with 2:08 remaining, Tom Brady and his maniacal, gambling ear-piece faced 4th and 2 from their own 28 yard line, and went for it. With no time outs, they came up a few inches short, and turned it over on downs.

Christmas came early for the future Hall of Famer. Four plays later, Manning connected with Reggie Wayne in the end zone, with :13 seconds remaining on the game clock.

In this game, Bill Belichick single handedly sacrificed William Wallace, the hammer of Scotland’s true Patriot, and claimed victory, peace, freedom, and veritas for the bad guys. A first round bye and home field advantage for the horse-shoes.

SI.com’s Peter King gave Belichick the dunce cap in his Monday Morning Quarterback column, providing a second-by-second breakdown of the entire situation. “The Call Heard Round the World” is locally being compared to the Grady Little flub of 2003.

Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy humorously coined it “the sin of hubris”—many became poets on behalf of their beloved coach Belichick.

Today, it was written—lest this play be forgotten in the folklore of New England tall tales.

Two years ago, the Patriots 38-34 defeat catapulted New England through a fresh start of 16-0 in 2007, but not before battling SpyGate, and numerous other attacks to Bill Belichick’s reputation.

And now, in 2009, we’re faced with the stone-cold reality that our season will be subject to the automated-Belichick response. Robotic perfection. A collection of short words and phrases that will keep the rest of the 2009 season under a veil of secrecy.

Belichick: "I thought we had a good play. We completed it. I don’t know how we could not get a yard on that completion.”

The loss may haunt the Patriots for the rest of the year, but who really cares about home field advantage and playoff positioning in Week 10? I’m more worried about coach getting caught red-handed, eye-gazing the curvaceous Mona Lisa on the other side of Lucas Oil Stadium.

Press play on your Monday morning quarterback. Everyone’s got their own slice of the humble pie.

Even still, I’m blaming Maroney.