The Packers game against the Giants highlighted what I was worried about for the Pats should they have played the Ravens in their first playoff game - which could have happened had the Ravens lost to Cincy and then the Ravens beaten Denver. That is: a hot, or at least fired up team can overwhelm a superior team with momentum and emotion. The Giants made some great plays but the Packers played the worst they have in a while when it mattered. They dropped passes, didn't tackle on easy plays, lined up in the wrong place, etc., etc. The Giants were slightly more ready, while the Pack looked like they were offended anything but a blowout was occurring.
I think this same phenomena - hot, hyped (legit) winning team coming in against a team with a layoff too long for their own good (especially for their psyches) knocks them around enough they go off course. This is what happened to the Pats the last 2 years. This weekend it almost happened to 49ers, and the Ravens, did to the Pack. The Pats were the only winner to slam dunk their game early on. Remember the Pats did this same thing - hot road team beating a favorite at home after their bye - twice while on their way to two SB wins.
Getting one well played game under their belt should stand the Pats very well. It's less likely they'll be nervous and tentative wondering how well they can play under pressure when the playoff whistle blows. They have the can't win in the postseason monkey off their back, and they have the knowledge they can beat a playoff team (BB surely had/has them believing Denver was a vital threat). Instead of wondering what winning playoff football feels like, they can focus on stomping the necks of a team that stands in their way to the holy grail. I like their chances...