FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots are headed to XLIX after a 45-7 win over the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship game on Sunday night.
Sunday’s matchup was the second-most lopsided game in AFC Championship history. It marks the Patriots’ eighth AFC Championship win, and the sixth for Tom Brady and Coach Bill Belichick.
“It’s a great challenge. We’re going to play a great team…We’ll be ready to go.” -Tom Brady pic.twitter.com/srdWPrqCAC
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 19, 2015
There is, however, some controversy surrounding the win. The NFL is investigating accusations that the Patriots deflated footballs in Sunday night’s game. An Indianapolis Colts writer Bob Kravitz first broke the story. A lighter ball has an advantage in rainy weather; it is easier to grip, throw and catch. Kravitz reported that officials, at one point, removed a ball from play to check its weight. If the accusations prove true, it will mean lost draft picks for the Patriots.
This will be the 11th time the top teams from the NFC and AFC will face off in the Super Bowl. If the Seahawks win, they will be the first NFL team to repeat the feat in a decade. The Patriots were the last team to do that in 2005. The early Las Vegas line is showing Seattle is a slight favorite over New England.
Sports Authority and Dick’s Sporting Goods are already selling AFC Championship merchandise.
Katy Perry and Lenny Kravitz will perform at this year’s Pepsi Super Bowl XLIX Halftime Show. Idina Menzel is slated to sing the National Anthem.
Super Bowl XLIX is in Glendale, Arizona on Feb. 1.
