New England Patriots

‘Focused on the Steelers': Belichick, Brady Ready for Sunday

The Patriots coach didn't want to talk about NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's decision to avoid Foxboro

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady spoke Wednesday ahead of Sunday's AFC Championship against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they didn't say a whole lot.

When asked about NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's decision to attend Sunday's Falcons-Packers game instead of coming to Foxboro, Belichick said only, "I'm focused on the Steelers."

Goodell, who was already in Atlanta last weekend, hasn't been back to Gillette Stadium since Deflategate.

Asked if he was worried about the Sports Illustrated curse after Brady made the cover of the magazine this week, Belichick said again, "I'm focused on the Steelers."

Belichick was also asked about how much home field advantage means to the Patriots.

"I don't know, go ask Dallas and Kansas City," he said of the two home teams who lost last weekend's playoff games. 

Brady wasn't much more talkative during his session with the press.

He had a bit more to say about the SI cover than Belichick, calling it "very cool," especially since he used to collect the magazine covers and hang them on his wall as a kid.

He also praised teammates Dion Lewis and Chris Hogan, and spoke glowingly about the Steelers defense.

"They've been dominant...," Brady said. "They're doing a lot of things well.

"We have to play our best game of the year. I think that's what it comes down to. We've got to all do whatever it takes to be at our best for those three hours on Sunday night. They put a lot of pressure on you in a lot of areas. They're tough to prepare for. We're going to have to just rise to the occasion."

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