The New England Patriots are upholding- and maybe even playing into- their reputation as one of NFL’s most confident teams. Earlier today, NY Daily News reported that Pats season ticket holders are already being sent tickets to the 2018 AFC Championship- an entire preseason, regular season and two playoff rounds away. One fan posted the tickets to Twitter yesterday:

Granted, the five-time Super Bowl Champions and reigning title holders have made it to the AFC Championship for the past six seasons in a row. The last time the Patriots were knocked off in the playoffs prior to the was by the New York Jets way back in 2010, but they’ve made it to the final round every year since.

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However, since the tweet has circulated, a Patriots spokeperson told SI.com that the Championship tickets fans were sent are a mere formality. Season ticket holders have the ability to opt in to a pay-as-you-go program, wherein fans can lock themselves in to buy said playoffs tickets should the team qualify. Only the ticket holders in this program received the placeholder tickets.

The Oakland Raiders also have this program, and did the same thing– a fact substantially more ridiculous than the Patriots, given that the Raiders franchise hasn’t made it to the penultimate game of the season since 2002.

Whatever the reason for these seemingly presumptuous tickets, fans and opponents alike have taken notice. The Patriots are in it to win it (again) this year, but will they have the victorious season they plan for, or will their cockiness get the best of them? Grab your tickets now and be there in person to find out.

The New England Patriots’ season kicks off on September 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium. The AFC Championship is set for January 21, 2018 (and according to the almighty Patriots, will be taking place at Gillette, as well).

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