This is a bonus. A gift. A happy, unexpected bit of luck, like finding a $20 bill in the pocket of your old puffy coat.
The Patriots are in the Super Bowl, and anyone who told you they expected that back in September is simply full of it.
So let’s all agree, in this winter of our discontent, to take a minute to enjoy the moment.
That doesn’t mean we need to forget our troubles: An out-of-control, masked federal agency that seems intent on plucking people from our streets and homes, an uncertain economy that is forcing residents to move to less-expensive states, and winter temperatures that seem intent on remaining in the teens.
But it’s OK to bask in New England’s return to the biggest game on Earth, if only for a few hours. And it’s OK, with apologies to the legendary but dour-faced Bill Belichick, to have some fun.
And these Patriots have been fun, and easy to root for.
There is, of course, the baby-faced quarterback, Drake Maye, 23, who in his second year has transformed from a hesitant, uncertain rookie into an all-world passer and runner, finishing a mere one vote from winning the league Most Valuable Player award. (As a bonus, Maye’s wife, Ann Michael, has won over hearts and minds with her baking skills on TikTok.)
Aside from Maye, there are few household names, at least outside New England. But they are worth watching.
There’s Mack Hollins, the free-spirited wide receiver who seems to only wear shoes when he’s on the football field, and Marcus Jones, the cornerback who may be the best kick returner in the NFL. There’s Christian Gonzalez, the All Pro cornerback, and Hunter Henry, the steady tight end who suffered through the team’s lean years.
The biggest star after Maye isn’t even a player. It’s head coach Mike Vrabel, whose intense but supportive style helped the team coalesce into a juggernaut in his first year on the job.
There’s no arguing that Vrabel knows what he’s doing. He’s a three-time Super Bowl winner, starring as a linebacker during the early days of the Patriots dynasty. He’s never been overwhelmed by the moment, and the guess is he won’t be here. (Vrabel was named NFL Coach of the Year earlier this week, so his bona fides are intact.)
“Here” being San Francisco’s Levi’s Stadium, where the Patriots will face off against the Seattle Seahawks, the NFC powerhouse favored to win Sunday night.
Yes, the Patriots are underdogs. It’s important to remember, however, that they were underdogs way back at the beginning of the dynasty, when led by another baby-faced quarterback, Tom Brady, they upset the Los Angeles Rams, set off a tidal wave of championships and spoiled a generation of Boston sports fans. (The Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins have all won championships since that 2001 victory.)
We thought it would be years before we were spoiled like that again, at least by the Patriots, who delivered back-to-back 4-13 seasons before this year’s turnaround.
But here we are. Back at the center of the sports universe. It’s OK to set aside our troubles and collectively celebrate, at least for a few hours.