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PITTSBURGH -- New England Patriots players trickled into their Heinz Field locker room late Sunday night in groups, some as small as pairs, others as large as 10. No matter the size of the group, they all came in yakking some variation of the same message.
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| Bill Belichick gives Rodney Harrison props, but says others don't give the Pats their due. (Getty Images) |
What the heck does that mean?
For some reason, the Patriots have convinced each other that nobody believes in them, that it's them against the world. Even after blowing out the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game 41-27, they spouted off about how no one thought they could beat the Steelers.
"It doesn't always seem we get the recognition," Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest said. "We have to go out and do the unthinkable. Like last week (against the Colts) and this week. You look at all the shows, and hear all the experts, and nobody gave us a chance."
The reality is a lot of people gave them a chance. Heck, Vegas made them a three-point favorite as visitors against a team that had won 15 consecutive games, a point duly noted to McGinest.
"Yeah, but they don't play the games," McGinest said.
There was no stopping this now. To a man, the entire roster seemed to believe it as well.
That attitude is something they will take with them to Jacksonville next week when they arrive for preparations for Super Bowl XXXIX. The Philadelphia Eagles will arrive with a we're-happy-to-be-here approach, but the Patriots, who will be trying to win back-to-back Super Bowls, will come with something far more valuable.
A chip on their shoulders.
Credit coach Bill Belichick for it. Somewhere in his genius, he has convinced his players that, despite winning two Super Bowls in three years and being favored to win a third, nobody gives them their due.
Before Sunday's game, Belichick gathered his team around and gave them a few rallying words -- using that approach to motivate them.
"Look around the locker room," Belichick told his team. "This is all you've got. This and your families. They're the ones who believe in you. That's it."