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ROGER MILLSNew England has feasted on its no-star, teamwork approach for 13 consecutive victories.
FOXBORO, Mass. - It started two seasons ago, in the successful quest for a Super Bowl title.
The Patriots were not going to be identified by one player, one coach or one city. Unanimously, the team agreed to be introduced as a group. No offensive stars, no defensive standouts.
Just, the Patriots.
Two years later, in one of the league's frostier venues, New England is warming up to that concept again. To little surprise, it is winning again.
The Patriots are back in the AFC Championship Game - this time Sunday against the Colts - one victory from the Super Bowl.
"It is just fun to be a part of this team," quarterback Tom Brady said. "It's just a great group of guys and a great group of coaches. And we just enjoy being with one another and playing, and I think you see it on the field."
On the field, the AFC East winners have run off a league-high 13 consecutive victories, have not lost at home all season (9-0) and appear to be the favorites to win the Super Bowl again.
It is with whom they have done it that has the NFL shaking its head. Tackle Ted Washington, who was with the Bears two seasons ago when the Patriots won the Super Bowl, said he sees a similarity with this year's team.
"(Back then) they didn't have any superstars," Washington said. "They just had guys that went out and worked hard and got the job done. And that's the same thing I see here. There's really no standout player. There's no player that's bigger than this team. Everybody's working together and getting it done."
The Patriots are the poster children for teamwork. On the roster, there are few NFL household names and only three Pro Bowl selections: cornerback Ty Law, defensive tackle Richard Seymour and linebacker Willie McGinest, who only made it when Ravens linebacker Peter Boulware announced he would have knee surgery.
On offense, there is no one named Randy Moss or Terrell Owens. The defense boasts no Ray Lewis, no Derrick Brooks. Despite rolling to an NFL-best 14-2 regular season record and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, Brady was a mere pimple on the face of the MVP race.
Not surprisingly, the lack of recognition doesn't faze the Patriots because they follow the lead of their coach.
In his ninth season, fifth with the Patriots, Bill Belichick is so dry, he makes the Sahara resemble a rain forest; he's so stoic, he makes Colts coach Tony Dungy appear out of control.
After Saturday's 17-14 Divisional Playoff victory over the Titans, Belichick opted not to wait for Sunday's results to host his day-after news conference, despite media interest in the Patriots' opponent.
"That is what we normally do," Belichick said dryly. "We play the game, and then I accommodate the media the next day. ... It doesn't make any difference who (the opponent) is."
Considered a defense-oriented coach, Belichick's game planning, variations of the 4-3 and 3-4 defense and insistence on using as many players as possible make mastering the Patriots defense a huge challenge.
Until Titans running back Chris Brown's touchdown run in the first quarter Saturday, the Patriots had gone six home games without giving up a touchdown. To do that, they needed contributions from every defensive player.
"We just go out there and play together and do our job," Law said. "No matter what happens, we make a pact to stay together. No one separates themselves, whether good or bad."
On offense, the Patriots haven't shattered any NFL scoring records. They finished the regular season averaging 314.9 yards, 17th in the league, and average 21.8 points.
But they find ways. Against the Titans, the Patriots had 297 yards of offense, and it came from all angles. Brady completed passes to 10 eligible receivers, including a first-quarter 41-yard touchdown to rookie receiver Bethel Johnson.
"I am just trying to find the open guy," Brady said. "That is a credit to all the guys that are in there. They can all catch. They can all be a factor. If they get open, I am going to try to find those guys. As an offense, we have done that all year."
The perfect example of the Patriots' all-for-one approach to winning came on a third and 13 in the first quarter. Brady found Johnson for what looked to be a 4-yard gain and a sure punt. Johnson spun around, reversed his field and got around the corner thanks to a bruising block by Brady. Johnson got 14 yards and the first down.
"(Linebacker) Roman (Phifer) tells me I am as slow as cold syrup, so I think I was just trying to dive in there and knock somebody off," Brady said. "You know, I think just kind of do whatever you can."
That attitude has led to 15 victories in 17 games.
"We all work together so well," defensive end Bobby Hamilton said. "There's no room for selfish players here or for players who want the glory. We want to achieve as a team. That's what I believe in."
- Information from the Boston Globe and the Associated Press was used in this report.