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Patriots Fans Confident Heading Into AFC Championship Game With Broncos

FOXBOROUGH (CBS) -- Sunday was a bizarre day in Patriots Nation, as many local fans were cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

At CBS Scene in the shadow of Gillette Stadium, the Denver Broncos and Steelers match-up took center stage.

Jeremy Smith of Medway wore his Steelers gear. He's a fan because he went to college with Hall of Fame Steelers linebacker Jack Lambert.

"All the Patriots fans, they're rooting for us...they don't wanna go to Denver," he said, adding that it was the first time he had Patriots' fans on his side.

For a while, things looked good. It seemed like the now darkened stadium would host one more game, but a costly fumble opened the door for a Broncos win.

After the Broncos beat the Steelers 23-16, Patriots fans remained confident despite having to play the AFC Championship in Denver next Sunday.

"I'm not worried. They both played really poorly tonight," says one fan. "Patriots looked good, so I mean I like our odds."

And by the way, the short alliance between the Pats and Steelers' fans is now over. One die hard Patriots fan said pulling for Pittsburgh "felt weight, but I was willing to do it for 24 hours."

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