There’s a certain pressure that comes with playing in New England. It’s championships or bust. That’s the standard set by Bob Cousy, Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Tom Brady, Tedy Bruschi, Bobby Orr and David Ortiz.
The last two seasons as a Patriots fan were hard. I know most NFL fans won’t shed a tear over eight combined wins, especially for a team that dominated the league for decades. But the Patriots are back where they belong — the postseason. Some fans think that should be the expectation every year, but there are a lot of good teams in the NFL, and sometimes a mini reset is necessary after a long run of success.
Having a quarterback like Brady for two decades — the greatest player the sport has ever seen — broke our brains a little. What he did year after year wasn’t normal and, honestly, probably won’t ever be done again.
Now, after two rough seasons, the Patriots are back in the playoffs and still have a chance to become the No. 1 seed in the AFC and clinch a bye. For now, just being back in the postseason feels like a positive step.
Head coach Mike Vrabel has completely changed the direction of this team and built a culture fans can connect with. One thing he’s been consistent about all season is that it starts with the players. As a former player, he knows firsthand what it takes to win a Super Bowl — or three.
After every win, Vrabel avoids the spotlight. He talks about the players on the field doing the work and credits them for winning the game while he focuses on coaching. That message resonates. Players notice when their coach recognizes their effort and doesn’t make it about himself in a team sport.
A coach can only take a team so far. In the end, talent wins out, and there aren’t many quarterbacks having a better season than Drake Maye. In his second year, he’s taken a massive leap in production. Coming out of North Carolina, Maye was known for his cannon arm, though his throws could be erratic at times — the trade-off of a gunslinger mentality.
Maye does turnover the ball a bit more than I’d like, but I recognize he’s in his sophomore season and he’ll learn with more experience. The fumble and interception against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday weren’t good. Outside of those moments, though, he was outstanding. Leading the league with a 70.9% completion rate is remarkable, especially when he’s also second in yards per attempt at roughly 8.7.
His touchdown pass to Kyle Williams on Sunday was a work of art. Williams made a terrific catch, but Maye put the ball in the only spot where only his receiver could get it.
I’ve enjoyed this season more than I expected, and I’m still a bit stunned that the Patriots have clinched a playoff spot with a shot at the No. 1 seed and the division title still on the line. I was hoping for seven or eight wins this year, and even that felt generous. It’s rare to see a team go from back-to-back four-win seasons to double-digit victories so quickly.
Either way, the Patriots are in a good position with the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets left on the schedule. They need to get healthy, but those are favorable matchups to close the season strong.
I’m ready for the playoffs.
