Story by
What they’re saying nationally about Patriots advancing to Super Bowl 60
- Story by
- What they’re saying nationally about Patriots advancing to Super Bowl 60
The New England Patriots are Super Bowl bound .
The Patriots held off the Denver Broncos with a 10-7 win in a blizzard that impacted field conditions in the second half. Denver had a chance for a big first down late in the fourth quarter down by three, but Christian Gonzalez played it perfectly and intercepted Jarrett Stidham to help lift New England to victory.
Advertisement
Drake Maye relied on his legs and rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown.
It will be the first time the Patriots play in the Super Bowl since Feb. 3, 2019 when they defeated the Los Angeles Rams , 13-3.
New England will play the Seattle Seahawks , who defeated Matthew Stafford and the Rams in the NFC Championship Game.
Here’s what’s being said about the Patriots’ win over Denver.
“The Patriots were on their heels for much of the first half, trailing 7-0, and the Broncos had the ball at their 33 facing third-and-4. New England defensive playcaller Zak Kuhr dialed up a six-man blitz, which produced quick pressure from linebacker Christian Elliss on Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham , who retreated 15 yards before losing a fumble that rookie outside linebacker Elijah Ponder recovered. The Patriots turned it into a touchdown two plays later, helping them get to halftime tied 7-7, giving them a big chance in the second half.”
Advertisement
“For the fifth straight game, the Patriots defense dominated. The unit leaned heavily on the blitz against a backup quarterback. The Pats frequently sent five or even six rushers at Stidham, making things incredibly difficult for him.
“The frequent blitzes continued a postseason trend by defensive play caller Zak Kuhr, who did the same in the wild-card round against Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert , then in the divisional round against C.J. Stroud of the Texans .
“It confused and confounded the Broncos, who were boosted by Stidham’s one long pass in the first quarter, but then struggled to move the ball afterward.
Advertisement
“Heading into the Super Bowl, that’s a good sign for the Patriots, who are riding a surging defense in the postseason.”
“Maye did not have a good game throwing the ball. Even accounting for the conditions, he just did not have it for most of the afternoon. What he did have, though, was his A game in the scrambling department. As mentioned above, he ran the ball 10 times for 65 yards and a touchdown. And a few of those runs were absolutely massive.
“First, there was the 6-yard touchdown run following Stidham’s turnover.
“Then there was a 28-yard run on the opening drive of the second half, which got the Patriots into scoring position and led to Borregales’ eventual game-winning field goal.
Advertisement
“And on the final competitive play of the game, Maye outran Jonah Elliss to the sideline and converted a first down on third-and-6 to put the game away and send his franchise to its 12th Super Bowl in franchise history.
“Maye was one of the best runners in the league at the quarterback position this season, and his skill in that area made much of the difference in the title game on Sunday.”
“The Mile High weather turned on a dime in the second half, creating snow globe-like conditions that made it difficult for offenses to gain any traction. Mike Vrabel’s defense smothered Denver down the stretch, allowing just 32 yards on five possessions in the second half. Facing backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham , the Pats didn’t allow the Broncos to find life on the ground, allowing 3.3 yards per carry and just three rushing first downs. New England gave up one splash play early -- a 52-yarder to Marvin Mims Jr. -- that set up Denver’s lone score. From there, the Pats dominated, forcing two key turnovers and allowing four first downs on the Broncos’ final eight possessions.
Advertisement
“New England’s defensive line controlled things against a good Denver blocking unit, sacking Stidham three times, allowed just one completion on 10 pass attempts under pressure, and just 4 of 14 on third downs. A defense that entered the postseason with questions has answered them resoundingly every step of the way.”
“When Mike Vrabel was named head coach of the Patriots, it injected a jolt of enthusiasm into a franchise that desperately needed it after back-to-back 4-13 seasons. Vrabel was a Pats legend and a proven winner.
“But no one thought that Vrabel would lead the Patriots to a 14-3 record and the team’s 12th Super Bowl. No one.
Advertisement
“Granted, it helps to have good players—and New England has plenty. This isn’t the first time the Pats made the Super Bowl in a young quarterback’s second season. The last time turned out OK.
“But the Pats have adopted their coach’s mentality. Tough. Hard-nosed. Physical on both sides of the ball.”
“It barely got the conversion and ultimately didn’t lead to more points, but props to the Patriots for the mother of all short-yardage jumbo packages. New England had a fourth-and-1 at the Denver 8 with 8:10 remaining in the third quarter, and loaded up with two tight ends and two eligible fullbacks in defensive tackles Khyiris Tonga and Milton Williams . Tonga weighs 335 pounds, WIlliams 290, and even with both pushing, Maye barely got the half-yard he needed to move the chains.
Advertisement
“Denver challenged the first down and lost, but then held for a goal-to-go stop, limiting the Patriots to an Andy Borregales field goal, but here’s to creative personnel. Tonga’s a regular in such a cameo, with 14 offensive snaps this season, but this was the first for Williams.”
“It’s fair to point out all the ways in which things have broken the Patriots’ way this season, from a favorable schedule to getting to take on a backup quarterback in a storm in the AFC title game. But a Patriots team that looked to be in the wilderness just a year ago is headed back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2018, and Vrabel affirmed his place as the driving force behind that resurgence. This was a game that called for all of Vrabel’s situational football acumen, and his team overcame being thoroughly outplayed in the first half to squeeze out the top-seeded Broncos. Mistake-free football was needed to prevail, and the Patriots largely delivered.”
Advertisement
“In the second half in Denver, snow began to fall, changing from flurries to blizzard conditions to turn the field into a blanket of snow. CBS initially went to its yard-line overlay on the field, and then made the correct call to ditch it. For the last hour or so, viewers and the announcers themselves were left to guess what yard line the ball was on. It was beautiful.
“The snow also added an element of strategy. In the fourth quarter, Broncos coach Sean Payton was clearly trying to score via field position, only to see Wil Lutz have his 45-yard field goal blocked. Meanwhile, New England played conservatively, rushing on 14 of its 16 fourth-quarter plays.”
More Patriots Content
Read the original article on MassLive . Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
