Brady boost for the Patriots
The Patriots went 16-0 in the regular season, the first unbeaten campaign by a National Football League club in 35 years, and won two playoff games to claim a berth in next Sunday’s championship spectacular in nearby Glendale.
As the Patriots departed wintry Boston, attention was riveted on quarterback Tom Brady’s right ankle — which the NFL Most Valuable Player showed no sign of favouring despite an injury scare last week.