New England defensive back Sergio Brown celebrates the Patriots 23-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship game Sunday. (Photo by Mary Schwalm/The Eagle-Tribune, North Andover, Mass.)

By Bill Burt
CNHI News Service

FOXBORO, Mass. — The lesson of the day is enjoy the moment.

New England beat Baltimore 23-20 here in the AFC championship game Sunday.

So two Sundays from now the New England Patriots will have played in five Super Bowls — yes, I said Super Bowls — over the past 11 seasons.

We do realize that incredible statistic doesn't tell the entire story around here, especially recently. It's been four years ... make that ... four long years since your New England Patriots have been on the biggest stage.

And if you want to get technical, the season-ending losses during that "cold streak" have bordered on catastrophic. The Patriots didn't just lose. They lost with agony.

Tom Brady would make a run at Most Valuable Player and the Patriots would end up going home with their tails between their legs.

The angst and impatience has been understandable.

We heard a few disturbing themes: The dynasty was over. And the game had passed coach Bill Belichick by.

But both claims are obviously false.

"It's tough to get here man," said Brady, who had one of his worst games this season, completing 22 of 36 passes for 239 yards while throwing two interceptions.

"It's hard to win games in the NFL," he said, "because every team is very talented."

It sounds so simplistic. But it's true. The Patriots learned that the hard way the past six years.

Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork has been to two previous Super Bowls, in Jacksonville (vs. Philadelphia) and in Glendale, Ariz. (vs. the N.Y. Giants). At one time he took this success for granted. Not anymore.

"Every time you get here is a blessing," said Wilfork, the defensive MVP Sunday. "You've got 32 teams that everybody's fighting to get to this moment. It really didn't dawn on me in '04 because, here I am, a rookie. My first year in college at (U of Miami) I win the national championship. The second year I lose, but I went there. So it really wasn't a big deal at the time.

"So when I got (to the Super Bowl) as a rookie I said, 'I could do this all of the time. I'm used to winning.' Years passed, '07 came, we lost," said Wilfork. "That seems like such a long time ago. You have to cherish the moment."

There are also a few people, like Patriots linebacker and defensive captain Jerod Mayo, who have heard about the Patriots Dynasty but have yet to experience it to its fullest like this season.

"I got my first playoff win this year," said Mayo, who was drafted with the 10th overall pick in 2008. "I have my first AFC Championship win ... This is new to me."

To be honest, it feels a little new to all of us.

The guess here is that, no matter what the odds makers say, this Super Bowl in Indianapolis won't be taken for granted. Not by anybody from New England.

"This is my first Super Bowl but I will approach it like it's my last," said Patriots offensive guard Brian Waters. "This is one of the reasons I came here, for this opportunity. I am going to cherish it."

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Bill Burt is a columnist for The Eagle-Tribune in North Andover, Mass.