The New England Patriots arrived in Indianapolis ahead of their Super Bowl opponents the New York Giants.
The AFC champion Patriots first enjoyed a festive sendoff in front of around 25,000 home fans at Gillette Stadium before they touched down at the site of Super Bowl XLVI.
While the Giants are not scheduled to reach Indianapolis until Monday, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and his staff wanted to get an early jump on preparations ahead of next Sunday's game.
New England will begin their week of practice on Monday at the Indianapolis Colts' facility, an unusual site for a Patriots team that has enjoyed several pivotal AFC clashes with the Colts over the years.
Things promise to be heated next Sunday in a rematch of the classic 2008 Super Bowl that saw the Giants upset New England and thus ruin their perfect season. The Patriots now have a
renewed appreciation for reaching football's biggest game.
The Patriots captured three Super Bowls in four years during the early 2000s but they were humbled by New York in Super Bowl XLII and this is their first trip back since that stunning loss.
Reuters