Denver Broncos

Belichick brushes off Manning's 'on to New England' comment

Published Jan. 18, 2016 5:52 p.m. ET

foxsports

By Ricky Doyle

Bill Belichick had no retort for Peyton Manning’s “on to New England” comment.

Manning threw his own spin on Belichick’s famous “we’re on to (Team X)” phrase Sunday after the Denver Broncos defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers to set up a date with the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Belichick was asked about Manning’s postgame quip while speaking with reporters Monday at Gillette Stadium and, you guessed it, the Patriots head coach couldn’t be bothered.

“I haven’t really given it any thought at all,” Belichick said before asking, “Is that going to be the big story for the week?”

The reporter who asked the original question replied, “No,” which Belichick likely appreciated.

“OK, good,” the coach added.

Manning’s comment clearly was made in jest, as there’s a lot of mutual respect between the Broncos quarterback and Belichick, who’ve been engaged in a chest match for the better part of two decades.

Belichick turning a blind eye to Manning’s comment also is the least surprising thing ever and yet another indication that the Patriots are focused solely on the task at hand: punching their ticket to another Super Bowl.

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