Robert Spillane Has Blunt Response To Patriots Needing Playoff Win For Validation
For all their success, do the New England Patriots need a playoff win to validate their breakout season?
The Patriots host the Los Angeles Chargers as AFC East champions after a 14-3 campaign under Mike Vrabel. Despite tying the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks for the NFL’s best record, some critics remain convinced the Patriots are merely a byproduct of a favorable schedule.
Robert Spillane was asked Friday on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” if he feels the Patriots need at least one postseason victory to prove their legitimacy. The linebacker had to collect himself before getting too riled up.
“I don’t care what they think or what you guys think,” Spillane said. “All due respect, I care about what the men in this building think. And we’re gonna go out there and battle and put it all out on the field. I don’t give a — I’m about to start swearing, so I’ll just take a deep breath.”
Spillane ultimately isn’t paying attention to how outsiders perceive the Patriots.
“At the end of the day, we know the type of work that we put in and the type of focus and effort and passion that we’ve had all year,” he added. “We’re gonna continue to stick to our identity.”
A Week 5 win over the Buffalo Bills represented New England’s only victory against a winning team. They went 1-2 against AFC playoff teams, so the 11-6 Chargers will present a steep challenge for Vrabel’s squad at home.
Sunday’s Wild Card Round game between the Patriots and Chargers kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.