Perhaps one of the few bittersweet things about Sunday's game was that Mr. Everything, Troy Brown, was among New England's inactives and thus not in uniform to help his Patriots teammates get back to the Super Bowl.

But Brown was on the field, and he and Tedy Bruschi shared a moment together once the victory was secure. As the senior member of the New England roster, Brown had already been with the Pats for three years when Bruschi was drafted in 1996.

Later that year, New England advanced to Super Bowl XXXI, so next week's trip to Arizona will be the fifth time Brown and Bruschi have been at the Big Game together.

"We're the only ones left from '96 and we're going back again," Bruschi said. "To see Troy is special because he's been here since my first day. We have a special bond."

Brown, who was in the locker room after the game with his two sons, said that he understood his being inactive comes down to numbers; after suffering a knee injury in last year's AFC title game, he fought his way back onto the field but has only been active for two games this season.

He has still enjoyed being with his teammates on the practice field and in meetings, and on the sidelines last night.

"It's been a lot of fun for me to be on the sidelines, exciting to be a part of it," Brown said. "I'm going to enjoy every moment."

-SHALISE MANZA YOUNG