Pats Posits: It Just Keeps Going

Another year, another heart-thumping playoff game that came down to the last play. The 2018 AFC Championship will go down in Patriots lore as one of the most impressive games of the Belichick-Brady reign.

The Chiefs made their plays, but the Patriots weathered the storm, executed their gameplan save a few breakdowns, and never blinked as the score went back and forth in the fourth quarter like we’ve seen so many times in the past 18 seasons.

This was the game Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman showed that when the chips were down they could do what no Patriots team had done since 2006 — win a playoff game on the road. And winning an AFC Championship on the road puts them in special company with just the 2001 and 2004 teams (and 1985 if we’re getting technical).

It’s even more remarkable considering how bad the Patriots were on the road all year. But when it’s counted, the rock-solid and balanced team that we saw plenty of times at home has shown up twice in the postseason.

The defense gave up a few close plays, but all things considered, they reigned in the Chiefs offense just enough, with Trey Flowers and Kyle Van Noy leading the way and solid coverage behind them all night. Pressure and coverage worked as one and it got them off the field on five of nine third downs.

And the special teams did just what they had to. No mistakes (though it sure looked like Edelman might’ve made a fatal one for a second there). No missed XPs.

They were so dominant that they overcame being -2 in turnovers!! Add in the fourth-down stop and the Pats left a number of points on the board. Those should’ve been the difference, but somehow they weren’t. Because they just imposed their offensive will like few Patriots playoff teams have consistently done.

So much to unpack from this one, let’s Posit it.

— The first half was just like the Pats’ coaches would’ve drawn it up. They held the Chiefs offense scoreless. That’s an accomplishment right there. The offense left points on the board, but it was the start they absolutely needed and it was clear that they would move the ball in the second half. You’d have to go back to 2003 and 2004 for a better two game start in the playoffs.

— Edelman led the way with two monstrous third down catches on the last drive in overtime. His career playoff highlight film will be filled with epic catches. Look at his production since 2013:

— Gronk having a resurrection game in the receiving department was a welcome development and it lessened the need to run James White into the ground. Six catches for 79 yards was his third best game of the season. Gronk also had two big third down pickups to go with Edelman. It reminded me a lot of the 2015, where his fourth-down catch set up his almost-game-tying touchdown.

— Brady just left no doubt as to where he is in his career, still very much at the pinnacle. When it was crunch time it was every bit the calm and unstoppable Brady we saw most recently in the second halves of the last two Super Bowls. I just can’t believe he’s still doing it and we get to watch it happen. Wow. Between him, Edelman, White and Gronk the Rams will have their hands full.

— Sony Michel was worth a first round pick, eh? It was the best solution to help Brady, focus on the ground game. Hence the undersized-but-athletic Shaq Mason and Isaiah Wynn, along with road grader Trent Brown. That’s how they prepare for the inevitable transition but it’s popping already. The ground game hasn’t been this balanced and effective in a long time, especially on early downs. Michel and the ground game’s effectiveness will be a big key to stopping Suh and Aaron Donald. The offensive line was LIGHTS OUT against the Chiefs and a testament to the coaching job of Dante Scarnecchia.

— Kyle Van Noy and Trey Flowers led the way up front and it’s been remarkable to see them flourish this season. The entire front played together and mostly importantly, finished Mahomes when they got the chance. If Brian Flores can get the Dolphins as tight as he had the Patriots defense this year, they’ll be tough.

— Surprised to see Duron Harmon‘s snaps way down, but I think it speaks to the element of speed that Jonathan Jones and Keion Crossen brought against Tyreek Hill. J.C. Jackson sure got picked on and looked like a rookie but that’s where the Chiefs had to attack because the big weapons were not open. Mostly the Pats came out strong, weathered the storm and then did just enough defensively to hold the Chiefs within striking range.

— Just holding the Chiefs to a field goal at the end of the second half felt like a pretty good win considering how things have often gone in the past.

— Overall, the 2018 Patriots feel like one of the strongest overall teams of the dynasty. They lost to some shitty teams on the road, but when push came to shove they delivered on the stages that have counted. You can’t name a single player who didn’t chip in a play at some point, and that is just one of the reasons this feels like a throwback Patriots team.

I love that it is coming full circle against the Rams in the Super Bowl. LOVE IT. And at this point it’s all gravy anyway right? But I don’t think anyone can say that the Patriots just waltzed their way through the regular season and playoffs to get back to a third-straight Super Bowl.

This team was wrapped in perceived turmoil since the offseason. Tom Brady missed OTAs. Gronk might retire. Everyone hated each other in 2017. Alex Guerrero is Yoko Ono. Then the season started and they started 1-2! Gronk wasn’t producing. Sony Michel sucked. Brady was heading for a cliff. They blew a game on the last play! They lost to the Steelers! The Chargers are the worst possible matchup! And well…here we are.

The Patriots are back in their ninth Super Bowl with Belichick and Brady, and somehow it feels a little fresh. Like this team had more to prove in getting to this point and that’s what’s so likable about this team.