US EditionAndrew Callahan: Patriots carrying dynasty-era feel on return to AFC title game
New England's defense forced four interceptions and multiple sacks, enabling a win that recalls the franchise’s early dynasty era, coach Mike Vrabel said.
- On Sunday, the New England Patriots advanced to the AFC Championship Game after a divisional-round win at Gillette Stadium, with their defense producing four interceptions that decided the game.
- The Patriots defense employed disguised coverages and exotic blitzes to generate pressure, even blitzing C.J. Stroud after his second-quarter touchdown, while carrying the team through two playoff games.
- Khyiris Tonga and K'Lavon Chaisson produced sacks that punctuated the pass rush as Kayshon Boutte snared a one-handed touchdown, marking Drake Maye's first career touchdown after a repeated midfield drop-back.
- The win positions New England for a road trip to Denver in the AFC title game as Vince Wilfork, Ty Law and Tedy Bruschi attended, underscoring a playoff revival.
- Echoing a past playoff performance, longtime fans and former Patriots stars recalled a game 22 years ago with four interceptions of Peyton Manning, while Patriots players declared 'Nobody counted on us' as Bon Jovi blared.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Patriots-Texans film review: How Mike Vrabel’s defense paved way to AFC title game
The only deep pass Drake Maye completed Sunday was the knockout blow with less than 13 minutes left. This is the danger of playing the Patriots now. Maye can wait and wait and wait, get battered and bruised and blown up. He can even turn the ball over three times. But so long as Maye has time to strike late in a close game, no defense is safe. The Patriots are bound for the AFC Championship Game because their defense has afforded Maye enough tim…
Bulletin-Review
Andrew Callahan: Patriots carrying dynasty-era feel on return to AFC title game
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Drake Maye barked for the ball. It flew into his hands at the start of his drop near midfield, where he stared a snarling Houston Texans defense straight down the middle. The stare was a trap. As…
For Patriots' longest-tenured players, an AFC title game ‘almost doesn’t feel real’
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Amid the euphoria inside the Patriots’ locker room after their playoff win over the Houston Texans, the look on Jahlani Tavai’s face told one of many stories.
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