The Patriots Win Their First Playoff Game of the Vrabel-Maye Era. Begun, Dynasty 2 Has.

In the words of the Dad Rock staple, "Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who, "Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss."

Drake Maye didn't play his best game by any stretch. But it doesn't matter. A win is a win is a postseason win. The first of many to come. 

I'll of course have about 10,000 words on this tomorrow, on minimal sleep. Because who needs sleep when the team that was fourth worst in the league last year is set to face the winner of Steelers at Texans tomorrow night? At home. 

This one is all about the defense. They made up for turnovers with huge stops. One on four goal-to-go downs. Another that resulted in a field goal, the only points for one of the most prolific offenses in the league. And they nearly put Justin Herbert in an intensive care ward with the way they chased him, harrassed him, hit him, and hit him some more. Mike Vrabel said from his opening presser back in January that he wanted a team that would bring violence. And he got what he's asked for. 

For better:

And for worse:

Not that anyone's complaining. 

The stats, strategies and other nonsensical impressions will wait for tomorrow. I'll just add that this game was eerily reminiscient of the last Pats postseason win: Super Bowl LIII. They shut down a very good offense. Held them to 3 points. Bailed out a great quarterback not having his best night. The running game carried the offense. A great pass to the tight end put the game basically out of reach. A huge defensive play sealed the win. And they did it against a team from Los Angeles that has no fanbase. 

I'll also give credit to the Gillette crowd. In the best of times the Real Housewives of Foxboro were often guilty of coming off spoiled and entitled. Not this group. They brought it. It was the loudest I've ever heard them and it didn't get any quieter, even as the offense kept stalling. 

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