Rematch brings up opposite feelings

New England, Atlanta downplay Super Bowl

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The score 28-3 will forever live in infamy for the Atlanta Falcons.

For the New England Patriots it’s a shining symbol.

That’s the 25-point deficit they overcame this past February on their way to posting the largest comeback win in Super Bowl history . In the first Super Bowl that went to overtime.

For the Falcons it represents the seemingly insurmountable lead they squandered on the NFL’s biggest stage. One game. Two realities. As the teams prepared for Sunday night’s rematch, their approaches were as different as the feelings they left the field with eight months ago.

The Patriots (4-2) tried their best to downplay the historic victory, which has spawned countless internet memes, commemorative T-shirts, and endless jokes at the Falcons’ expense.

“We’ve been given really highly strict rules that we are not allowed to talk about that game, so you’re not really going to get any information from anyone about that,” said tight end Rob Gronkowski, who sat out the game following back surgery late last season. “I’m just looking forward to this week.”

James White, one of many heroes in helping New England secure its fifth championship ring, was equally coy.

“I put the same pressure on myself every week, no matter who we’re playing,” he said.

The Falcons (3-2) have no desire to relive that night, of course, though they are aware of its presence as they head into New England. Atlanta coach Dan Quinn acknowledged the topic has come up on a few occasions since his team trudged off the field in Houston.

“Maybe three or four times,” he said.

After a grating loss like that, quarterback Matt Ryan said, “it’s always going to be a part of you.”

“That’s every athlete, right?” he said. “There’s things throughout