Several members of the New England Patriots responded to the guarantee made by Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey that they will win the Super Bowl. Ramsey made the guarantee during a rally in Jacksonville after the Jaguars defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 45-42, in the AFC divisional round game. “We're going to the Super Bowl and we're going to win that (expletive). We're going to win that (expletive),” Ramsey told the crowd. Ramsey is one of the Jaguars’ key players on defense, finishing the year with six interceptions and was named a first-team All-Pro.
Patriots call Ramsey a good player
During Monday’s news conference, some members of the Patriots were asked to share their thoughts on Ramsey’s comment. Patriots special teams member Matthew Slater said Ramsey should be confident because he’s “very, very good.” “I’d be confident if I were him, as well,” said Slater. Patriots safety Duron Harmon also echoed Slater’s praise of Ramsey, saying he’s a good player, but talks a lot of trash, which is part of his game. “He has a really good football team. The top two AFC teams are left, and he’s a part of one of them,” said Harmon, adding that he expects the Jaguars to come ready to play and the Patriots have to match their physicality.
Patriots to use Ramsey’s claim as bulletin board material
The Patriots are expected to use Ramsey’s claim as bulletin board material as they prepare for the Jaguars, who were overlooked by the Steelers as they looked ahead to an AFC Championship Game rematch with New England. Before their clash with the Jaguars, the Steelers were busy talking about the rematch with the Patriots, and not focused on their game against the Jaguars.
That proved to be the Steelers’ downfall as the Jaguars defeated them for the second time this season. In their regular-season meeting, the Jaguars crushed the Steelers, 30-9. After the loss, Steelers guard David DeCastro criticized his teammates for overlooking the Jaguars. While DeCastro did not mention names, among those who spoke about a rematch with the Steelers were head coach Mike Tomlin, safety Mike Mitchell and running back Le’Veon Bell.
According to Harmon, the Patriots will not commit the same mistake that the Steelers did against the Jaguars. “Throughout our team we talk about how important each game is, not looking ahead,” Harmon told Sports Final on WBZ-TV. Harmon said the Patriots always respect every opponent they face and not look ahead to the next game. “If you don’t give them the utmost respect and all the attention they need that week, you can let one slip,” said Harmon.
