Since Tom Brady broke onto the scene in 2001, the Patriots have been to seven Super Bowls, winning five.
Beyond Brady and Bill Belichick, those seasons have one other thing in common: Every season the Patriots have finished the season hoisting the Lombardi Trophy they have either been the No. 1 or 2 seed in the AFC playoffs.
So no matter how much New England (10-3) tries to sell its game Sunday at Heinz Field against the Steelers (11-2) as just another regular season game, that's simply not the case.
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