Q: On a scale of 1-16, how would you rate this week’s Sports Illustrated cover?

BB: Well, you know, being associated with Santa Claus - there’s a lot worse associations to have. I’ll take it. When you’re a kid, sometimes you dream about being on the cover of Sports Illustrated. That’s not actually the one I pictured, but it’s pretty funny. Whatever sells.

By all accounts, the march to 15-0, and all the attention it's received, has been a grind. Listening to Belichick and the Patriots this week, you get the sense that they are relieved the regular season is almost done.

Belichick was in rare loose form Thursday, also cracking that the Giants game was like the State of the Union address - it's on every channel. When asked how he felt about that, Belichick gave the only appropriate response.

"I’m not planning on watching it."