A year ago, the Patriots were overtaken in the AFC Championship Game by the Indianapolis Colts.

This year, though, New England was victorious in the AFC title game, earning a berth in the Super Bowl.

The postgame emotions were polar opposites, said veteran New England linebacker Tedy Bruschi.

(Special teams captain) Larry (Izzo) and I were talking about the feelings we had today and how different it was (than last year). We were on the field (at Gillette Sunday night), seeing all the (celebratory) confetti and the championship trophy," said Bruschi.

"Last year we were walking off the field (in Indianapolis) through the tunnel and people were screaming at us," he said. "It's a night and day feeling."
-- STEVEN KRASNER