The New England Patriots promise they won't look past Blake Bortles as they head into Sunday's AFC Championship Game.

Bortles has been heavily criticized throughout his NFL career, especially this year.

"It's kind of crazy," Devin McCourty said Wednesday, alluding to recent comments about Bortles. "The guy is still playing football. All the guys that said that, I'm sure they'd want to be in his spot right now, playing in a championship game.

"I've seen some of his interviews and it seems like he has a great attitude, laughing about it, cracking jokes. I think you see that on the field. The guy is a winner."

Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney called him "trash," with Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Jurrell Casey saying Bortles "is going to choke" in pressure situations. Earlier this season, Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas said Bortles is "a subpar quarterback."