It was far from easy, but Bill Belichick's Patriots earned a spot in Super Bowl LIII, its third straight trip to the biggest game in sports, with Sunday night's overtime 37-31 victory over the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
The endlessly thrilling game saw 2017 NFL MVP Tom Brady and presumed 2018 NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes jockey for the lead in the final quarter, an instant classic that once again saw New England come out on top.
Boston Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy says the “once dissed and dismissed” Patriots are back in the big game. The Globe declares that the latest win ranks among the top five of the Belichick era. Globe columnist Chris Gasper said the win came with one of Belichick’s greatest game planning masterpieces. The Globe lists the 12 biggest plays of the fourth quarter of the game, there were really that many to choose from. The Globe looks at Rob Gronkowski’s big plays in the win, as some speculate that the tight end's time in New England could be coming to an end.
The Globe game story says simply, “They did it again.” The Globe has an initial scouting report on the Rams team that the Patriots will face in Atlanta. The Globe notes Brady’s Instagram post as he left the big game to return from K.C. The Globe says Patriots wanted to play physical football and did just that thanks to a dominant offensive line. The Globe notes that CBS’ Tony Romo wowed viewers with his play predictions in the game.
The Boston Herald accurately declares that Brady came through again. The Herald notes that after a down season, Gronkowski came up big in the AFC title game. The Herald game story breaks down the “classic” win over the Chiefs. The Herald writes about how the Patriots took away dangerous K.C. weapons Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. The Herald also offers up a first look at the Rams vs. Patriots in Super Bowl LIII.
The Providence Journal writes that the Patriots are headed to the Super Bowl, again. The ProJo notes that it was another thriller for the ages for Brady and his New England squad. The ProJo says the Patriots appreciate the journey to another Super Bowl.
ESPNBoston.com declares that Gronkowski’s enthusiasm and production are on the upswing.
ESPN lists 16 crucial plays from Sunday’s NFL conference championship games. ESPN says that this Super Bowl LIII trip is a Belichick masterpiece for the ages. ESPN has its early look at the Rams/Patriots Super Bowl matchup.
WEEI.com has Brady telling the station's morning show that Sunday was, “A game we will always remember for the rest of our lives.” WEEI.com writes that the AFC title game summed up the New England season – ups and downs, but ultimately proving many wrong. WEEI.com writes that Brady-to-Gronk delivered one more time. WEEI.com looks at how New England shut down Hill and Kelce. WEEI.com passes along Shannon Sharpe finally admitting that Brady is better than Aaron Rodgers.
NBC Sports Boston writes that even by New England’s own high standards, this Patriots team is a “different type of impressive.” NBC Sports Boston says the defense created its own kind of masterpiece in K.C. NBC Sports Boston says it was a fittingly dramatic win that sent the Patriots to another Super Bowl. NBC Sports Boston says Brady had the Patriots feeling “comfy” in overtime. NBC Sports Boston has Jason McCourty’s emotional reaction to reaching his first Super Bowl.
