The New England Patriots won an overtime thriller against the Kansas City Chiefs. Here are five observations from the exciting AFC Championship triumph.
The New England Patriots play the underdog role just fine. In a thrilling 37-31 overtime victory against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday night, Tom Brady and the bunch has stamped their ticket to Super Bowl LIII in a matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
From the opening drive of the game, it was evident that this would be one of those games Bill Belichick and the crew would come out on top. The offensive line did their thing, the running game got going and Brady was sharp in melting down over half of the first quarter on their opening drive.
After taking a 7-0 lead, it was evident that the Patriots strategy was to keep the ball out of the hands of Patrick Mahomes II and the high-octane Chiefs’ offense. Keeping the ball the first eight minutes of the game was key. Not only did they get out to a quick lead, they took the rowdy Arrowhead Stadium crowd out of the game.
Defensively, Belichick took away Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce as the team held Kansas City scoreless in the first half. The second half, however, became a track meet between the teams. The new kid on the block, Patrick Mahomes, went head to head with Tom Brady. In a back-and-fourth fourth quarter, it was ultimately Brady who lead two masterful long drives to take the lead in the last quarter and win the game in overtime.
It was a textbook victory for a New England Patriots team that wasn’t supposed to get as far as they got. Going back to yet another Super Bowl, Bill Belichick couldn’t be any prouder of his football team.
"“Again, a great team job all the way around,” Belichick said following the game. “I thought we got contributions from all three units and so many players it is hard to single out anybody. So many guys stepped up and competed so hard tonight. These guys earned it. They deserve it and they earned it. I am happy for them and happy we are still playing.”"
In all, this game proved that the old school approach to football still wins out. Here are five observations from another New England Patriots Super Bowl clinching victory.
Suddenly road warriors
Entering the game as underdogs, the main knock on the New England Patriots was how inconsistent they played on the road.
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With bad road losses, including a Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions and that “Miami Miracle” game, the Patriots were 3-5 in the regular season. They simply didn’t have the same level of focus and execution that they had in their home games. So, of course they would have a tough time in a place like Arrowhead Stadium going up against the top seeded Kanas City Chiefs.
As usual with this team, they find a way to prove critics wrong. They had to play a near perfect game to beat the Chiefs on their home turf and they just about did that. Take away a rare interception by Tom Brady in the end zone, the Patriots were very close to running away with the game in the first half.
Unfortunately, the ball didn’t always bounce their way and Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs were able to get their mojo back in the second half. But this New England Patriots team showed their mental toughness by answering the call every time Kanas City went ahead in the game.
In delivering those counter punches, the team showed how sticking to the game plan and executing wins big games, especially on the road.
Sony Michel is special in big games
It’s official. Running back Sony Michel is going to be a special type of player for the New England Patriots.
The offensive line and fullback James Develin deserve a lot of credit for their blocking, but what Michel has done the last couple of weeks has been outstanding.
With two more rushing touchdowns in the team’s 37-31 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, Michel now already has five touchdowns in his first two career playoff games. His back-to-back 100-rushing yard performances has proven just how essential the running game has become for the Patriots, especially in keeping the Chiefs’ offense off the field.
"“The running game is always important to this team because it helps open things up,” Michel said following the game. “Tonight, I think we did a pretty good job. We have a tremendous offensive line. The receivers did a good job. Guys took pride in what they were doing tonight.”"
Sony Michel will get an opportunity to show just what kind of big game player he is when he steps on the Super Bowl LIII stage against the Los Angeles Rams down in Atlanta. He is already proving Bill Belichick a genius for selecting him in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
In all, there really seems like there is more good things coming from the Georgia Bulldogs alum.
Defense of physicality
How do you slow a high-octane offense? Besides keeping them off the field with a steady and effective running game, being physical with them on the field is exactly what the New England Patriots did to the Kansas City Chiefs, particularly in the first half.
The Patriots’ defense was simply aggressive. They dared Patrick Mahomes to beat them with someone other than Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. They also attacked him and got him on his back quite a few times.
With some big plays from Trey Flowers and Kyle Van Noy, the entire defense came to Kansas City to play with physicality and an energy that led them to scoring zero points in the first half.
That is where Bill Belichick showed his genius. Not only did they come up with schemes to take away the big threats, they rushed Mahomes at the right moments.
Although Kansas City ultimately went off and scored their share of points, if the defense had not held the Chiefs in check, the New England Patriots would not be advancing to Super Bowl LIII.
Rob Gronkowski is still clutch
One of the best parts about the AFC Championship victory was the big plays the New England Patriots got from Rob Gronkowski.
While his blocking stood out in the Divisional Round win, Gronkowski bought both his blocking and pass catching to Kansas City. With six receptions for 79 yards, Gronk was simply Gronk again.
He started the game with a couple catches and was vital down the stretch coming up with a huge 25-yard reception over Eric Berry that set up a touchdown. He did it again in overtime on a big third-down conversion on the winning drive. For Rob Gronkowski, it was a good feeling to help his team win and advance to the big game once again.
"“It felt good,” Gronkowski said. “The way the guys have been fighting all year long – the way we fought this game – I couldn’t be more proud to be on this team. I’m more proud to be out here with the boys – how hard we just kept fighting. Defense, offense, special teams, a victory on the road, AFC Championship Game. It was one of my sweeter victories, definitely, in my career.”"
The way Rob Gronkowski has adjusted his game to impact the game other than catching passes and touchdowns has shown the growth and maturity of him as a football player this season. It was good to see vintage Gronk re-emerge in a big moment in a big game when the New England Patriots really needed him.
Tom Brady is the best ever
If you are one of the few who weren’t on the Tom Brady train going into this game, there are no arguments to be made against this man being the greatest quarterback ever.
It’s simple.
When the game is on the line and the team needs a game-winning drive, Brady rises to the occasion. The last three drives of the game that he orchestrated was simply amazing. Every time the Chiefs went ahead in the game, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots punched back and retook the lead.
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In all, the 41-year-old quarterback did what he is expected to do, but that overtime drive was masterful. In that drive, he converted three third-and-long plays to lead to a Rex Burkhead game-winning touchdown.
Advancing to his ninth Super Bowl appearance, Brady is still as excited and pumped up as he was back in 2001 when he advanced to his first.
"“These are memories that will last a lifetime,” Brady said. “I said it a few weeks ago, I am blessed to find something that I love to do that I love to work at. That has probably been the biggest blessing in my life. I love working hard at trying to make improvements. Every year, we start at a different place. I love the grind of it, being in the moment. This was an incredible win. I will remember this one for the rest of my life.”"
It is a moment in many moments that fans won’t forget either. As football fans, we are lucky to be living at a time to witness the greatness of a man who defeats the odds over and over again.
In a season in which his team was as vulnerable as ever, Tom Brady has led the New England Patriots to yet another Super Bowl.