Win and you're in, as the old saying goes. But for the Patriots, it takes on a slightly different meaning. They're currently the AFC's top team, so a playoff spot is virtually guaranteed at some point in the next two weeks. What isn't guaranteed is a first-round bye and homefield advantage.
But New England can make the first step toward that goal on Sunday when they face the Dolphins, the same team that beat them back in Week 1. Of course, that seems like years ago and the Patriots have won eight of their last night.
“Absolutely not,” Brady said in response to a question about whether winning ever gets old. “I think we’re trying to win every time we take the field. Winning never gets old, I know that. I think that feeling that we had the other night was a great feeling and that’s what motivates you to win because you know the opposite side of that.”
So if the Pats can avenge that Week 1 loss to the Dolphins, they will have accomplished one of their goals: The AFC title and a spot in the postseason.
And while the Dolphins have struggled in recent weeks, they've also showed the ability to play with anyone in the league, on both sides of the ball. This hasn't been lost on Brady.
“We’ve got to do the things that help us win as opposed to do the things that make us lose games. It should be a fun week,” Brady said, via ESPN.com. “This is a tough team to do it against. They have some goals that they have, too, and I think that’s what makes for a great game. We are determined to win, and only one team can win.”
Brady understands the implications of a win over Miami, but he's also well-versed in the Belichickian approach to never looking too far ahead.
“It’s a long season and we still have three games left. There’s a lot of football to be played, a lot of things to be decided,” Brady said. “The only thing that matters is this week and that’s the only thing we can control. We are going to go out there and try to control it the best we can.
“And try to go out there and play the way that we are capable of. See if we can have a great day of execution, certainly better than we have had the last two weeks.”
