Tom Brady, Bill Belichick swat down talk of Patriots' distractions

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Over in Pittsburgh, the Steelers are answering questions about Facebook Live, locker room talk, and apologies.

Here, the New England Patriots are swatting away all perceived distractions and approaching their preparations for Sunday evening’s AFC Championship Game against the Steelers with an all-business approach.

“This is a big game,” Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said Wednesday during a news conference. “Going to go out and try to play my best.”

That answer was in response to a question about Brady’s legacy, as he is set to appear in an NFL-record 11th conference championship in the last 15 years.

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Steelers receiver Antonio Brown broadcasted a live video just moments after the team’s 18-16 victory Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round of the playoffs. In the video, coach Mike Tomlin can be heard off-camera talking about the Patriots, calling them “a-------.”

Asked why he and the Patriots elicit these reactions, Brady deadpanned a quick: “I’m not sure.”

Just minutes before Brady took the podium, it was Patriots head coach Bill Belichick who avoided touching any topic with a whiff of controversy.

What did Belichick think about NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell missing out on yet another trip to Foxborough after the conclusion of the Deflategate saga?

“I’m focused on the Steelers,” Belichick said Wednesday.

What about Brady appearing on the national cover of Sports Illustrated? Worried about a curse?

“I’m focused on the Steelers.”

What about playing in front of a homefield crowd? Will that help New England?

“I don’t know,” Belichick said. “Go ask Dallas and Kansas City.”

The Cowboys and the Chiefs, of course, lost their divisional round games at home on Sunday.

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Once New England’s locker room opened to reporters, the rest of the team followed suit by downplaying any talk about legacies, distractions or social media

“They demand a lot,” Patriots receiver Danny Amendola told USA TODAY Sports of Belichick and Brady. “I vibe off that. I respect that. I love that. There’s no room for complacency. If you don’t want to get challenged then you won’t play here.”

The Brady and Belichick press conferences were adorned with a league-issued backdrop to commemorate the AFC title game. Off to the left of the podium was a table upon which sat helmets of both teams, and the championship trophy they will compete for.

The sessions featured more reporters and more cameras than regular-season news conferences typically do.

Despite the intensified spotlight, however, the Patriots – again – didn’t stray from their script.

“We have to play our best game of the year,” Brady said. “That’s all it comes down to. We’ve got to do whatever it takes to be at our best for those three hours Sunday night. … We’re going to have to rise to the occasion.”

Follow Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @LorenzoGReyes.

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