FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- When New England Patriots players gathered for their first team meeting of the week Wednesday, the message from coach Bill Belichick was that it was time to turn their focus to the next opponent, the Denver Broncos.

But before doing so, Belichick wanted to show his team something to perhaps help provide closure from Monday night's controversial 24-20 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

It was film of a 2009 game between the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions.

In 2009, the Lions celebrated a last-play win over the Browns after drawing a pass interference call in the end zone as time ran out, the opposite of what happened to the Patriots against Carolina. Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Some players might have been puzzled at first. What type of relevance could a Browns-Lions game from four seasons ago have on the 2013 Patriots? Both teams were 1-8 at the time, which made it arguably the most meaningless Week 11 game of that season.

Then, once the second-to-last play at Detroit's Ford Field started to play on the screen, it all became clear.

In need of a touchdown to win the game, and with only one play to make it happen because eight seconds remained in regulation, scrambling Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford threw a 40-plus-yard pass into the end zone that was intercepted.

Game over.

But wait … a penalty flag was thrown by the back judge. Hold everything.

Pass interference.

Browns defensive back Hank Poteat had his back to the play and was making contact with receiver Bryant Johnson as he was pushing him toward the back of the end zone, about 5 yards away from where the ball was ultimately intercepted. No matter that the ball could have easily been deemed uncatchable. There still was restriction by Poteat.

Thus, the Lions had one final untimed play from the 1-yard line, and they scored a touchdown. The drama was that much greater because Stafford -- who wore a microphone on his jersey for NFL Films that produced unforgettable on-field sound -- had badly injured his left -- nonthrowing -- shoulder on the previous Hail Mary play. The extra point gave Detroit, playing at home, a thrilling 38-37 victory.

It wasn't necessarily a carbon copy of what happened Monday night in Charlotte, but it was about as close as it gets, with a significantly different outcome. In each case, the home team got the call.

So now let's ask the question: Why would Belichick show his 2013 team that play?

We have a few theories.

First, to share with them his belief (we presume) that the Patriots got jobbed. While Belichick has repeated to media members the past two days that any officiating inquiries should be directed to the league office, it makes sense to think he'd strike a different tone with his own players, letting them know he believes in them and that they deserved better.