In the days after a loss to the Lions in September that dropped the Patriots to 1-2, Burkhead was placed on injured reserve because of a neck problem.

Burkhead’s 2-yard burst to the end zone capped a winning overtime drive in the AFC Championship game and also served as another milestone in what has been an up-and-down ride for the veteran tailback.

FOXBOROUGH — Rex Burkhead has had a long journey this season. Right now, however, all anybody remembers is his short one.

Burkhead would spend the next eight weeks rehabbing before returning for the Vikings game Dec. 2. Since then, he’s progressively expanded his role as an all-purpose back.


“I’m blessed to be in this position, to be on this team with a bunch of great guys, high-character guys that fight until the end,’’ Burkhead said, when asked about the twists and turns of his season.

Burkhead carried the ball a dozen times against Chiefs, collecting 41 yards. There was one unforgettable carry when he was stuffed on fourth and 1 in the fourth quarter and the back said he was excited for the chance to redeem himself.

“It shows they trust you,’’ he said. “Even though you may fail one time, you get another opportunity to try and make the most you can of it. That’s what you have to have in football is a short memory.’’

The Patriots have turned to a smashmouth attack in the postseason and Burkhead had a simple answer for why it’s been such a success.

“Yeah, the offensive line,’’ he said. “They’ve done a tremendous job of setting the tone from the beginning and being physical in the run game.’’

Tom Brady said it’s been great having Burkhead back in the lineup because his versatility makes New England’s attack that much more dangerous.


“He obviously dealt with a tough injury but Rex is a tough guy,’’ said Brady. “We all have trust in him to do the right thing, make the right decision, and he just does a great job . . . He does a great job in blitz pickup, can play third-down back, he can be a first- and second-down back, goal-line runner, we split him out. I think that’s just a great credit to his skill set. He’s got a lot of the things that it takes to either run the ball inside and then obviously to run it outside and catch passes on the outside. He’s really a dynamic player and he’s just a tough matchup for a defense because he can be in a lot of different places and he’s obviously become a very dependable, consistent player for us. We love having him out there.’’

Just win, Brady

Brady’s postgame quote after beating the Chargers became a theme, a rallying cry, and even a T-shirt.

“I just like winning,’’ the Patriots quarterback said when asked if proving people wrong was a source of motivation. “I just like winning.’’

Shortly after wrapping up his final Foxborough practice of the season Saturday, the 19-year veteran revealed what does motivate him season after season.

“I just love the competition and I love trying to improve and I think that’s what it comes down to,’’ said Brady. “Every year has its challenges. It’s very different from my first year to now, things change obviously with yourself, team, personal situations, professional situations. I love competing, I love playing football.’’


Brady, who Sunday will hop a flight to Atlanta for his third straight Super Bowl, said the camaraderie he develops with his teammates is another source of motivation. That’s been a consistent theme since he first landed in New England in 2000.

“I think loving the game and trying to improve and be the best I can be for the team is great motivation for me and I’ve just always spoke about winning and that’s what I love to do. That’s why I’m here, that’s why this team has done such a great job,’’ he said. “I think everyone here is just committed to winning and really doing whatever it takes to win whether that’s Julian [Edelman] moving from quarterback to receiver, whether that’s Mike Vrabel playing tight end for us or defensive players lead-blocking on the goal line or Troy Brown or Julian playing [defensive backs] at different times — everyone just kind of does whatever it takes and that’s a great place to be.’’

Perfect attendance

Bill Belichick had all his charges present at Saturday’s shells-and-sweats practice inside the fieldhouse. “Bad Boy for Life” blared through the speakers during stretching. It’s also the song heard during Brady’s postgame Instagram post in Kansas City . . . Execution counts for more than experience is a theme the Patriots have preached this past week, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that 38 Patriots have been on the 53-man roster for a combined 85 Super Bowl appearances. The Rams have four players who have played in a combined five Super Bowls . . . Final reminder: Gates at Gillette Stadium open at 8 a.m. for Sunday’s sendoff rally, which begins at 10 a.m.


Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globejimmcbride.