Mike Vrabel and his Patriots are headed to the AFC Championship after a 28–16 win over the Houston Texans. It’s New England’s first trip to the conference title game since 2018 and Vrabel’s second appearance as an NFL head coach. As exciting as the win should have been, Vrabel didn’t exactly sound pleased with Drake Maye and Co.

“It wasn’t pretty.” Mike Vrabel said. “The defense kept us in it, and when we needed plays, the offense came through.”

Patriots and Texans combined for eight turnovers in a game where neither side could hold onto the football for long. Drake Maye, on the other hand, was responsible for all three of the Patriots’ giveaways, which kept his team from fully cashing in on the five takeaways their defense forced.

Despite that, by the final whistle, it was established that Mike Vrabel’s Patriots were the more complete team.

After all, the Patriots’ defense effectively neutralized C.J. Stroud. He threw four first-half interceptions, including a pick-six by Marcus Jones after K’Lavon Chaisson jarred him mid-throw. He finished 18 of 42, barely 43 percent, with 4.9 yards per attempt, one score, and three sacks. On top of that, pressure came on 43 percent of his dropbacks, with blitzes flying nearly half the time.

Yet, for Vrabel, the Patriots did not have a flawless game. His team did struggle to contain Houston’s pass rush, surrendering five sacks. But the Pats still managed four scoring drives in the win.

As for Drake Maye, he didn’t look quite like his usual self. He finished 16-of-27 for 179 yards and three touchdowns but he also threw an interception and had a rough time protecting the ball. He fumbled four times, losing two of them.

And then, in the post-game appearance, he was candid on how he felt about the game overall.

“Just proud of the guys,” Maye said. “Battled the elements. This is New England. This is what we’re trying to embrace and we want to embrace it all season long.”

Vrabel also acknowledged Maye’s difficulties but in doing so, he emphasized his ability to deliver when the team needed a play.

“We talk about not going in the blender.” Vrabel said. “And I think it’s hard. They put pressure on us, and we know we’ve got to take care of the ball. Drake knows that.”

And while the Patriots walked away smiling, Vrabel also put the locker room on notice.

Mike Vrabel made the Patriots’ mindset clear

The Patriots are heading to the AFC Championship Game after taking down the Bull Pen in the divisional round, and the moment did not feel accidental. When Mike Vrabel was asked how his locker room felt about being here when nobody outside Foxborough believed, his answer hit hard. It sounded like a coach who knows exactly who his team is and where it wants to go.

“They’re not satisfied, and I can tell that,” Vrabel said.

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That line alone explains everything. In his first season running the show, the Patriots are back in the conference title game for the 16th time, their first since the Bill Belichick era ended with a sixth Lombardi in 2018. Moreover, New England has now won nine straight divisional round games. History matters here, but comfort clearly does not.

Now, the road gets tougher. The next stop is Empower Field against Broncos Country, and Vrabel has already shifted the focus.

“We know we have to go on the road, No. 1 seed; it isn’t going to be easy,” Vrabel said ahead of Sunday’s AFC Championship Game.

This fanbase knows success, yet it is refreshing to hear players and coaches talk like the work is unfinished.

There is still one more game to win before even thinking about the Super Bowl. With Bo Nix sidelined for the rest of the season due to an ankle injury, the path looks clearer. Still, Vrabel keeps the noise out. According to him, the focus stays simple: finish the job.