The New England Patriots are slated to host the Los Angeles Chargers for an AFC wild-card showdown this week. Now, before the action kicks off at Gillette Stadium, head coach Mike Vrabel has a blunt message for his locker room. He made it clear that it would take more than just effort to come out on top next week.

“Well, we’ve said this numerous times, you can’t just play hard and hope to win,” he said on Wednesday via 98.5 The Sports Hub. “Run like this [not looking around while running] with the football and hope that you’re going to be able to break tackles or gain a bunch of yards. So you need production, and you need execution. So I think that it helps. I mean, it’s critical.”

Further, he also emphasized the importance of keeping calm, no matter how the game unfolds. In his view, crucial plays demand on-point execution. He believes it all boils down to upholding identity, sticking together, and making big plays.

As for the numbers, they are trending in the right direction, at least offensively. The Patriots’ offense ranks third in the league, averaging 380 yards and 28.8 points per game.

However, things have not been as explosive for them on the defensive side. Their defense has allowed an average of 295.2 yards per game and has allowed 38 touchdowns this season. 

Naturally, the team’s biggest hope remains star quarterback Drake Maye. With a league-high 72 percent completion rate for 31 touchdowns and 4,394 yards, he has the caliber to deliver when it matters most. Even on the defensive side, things have played out well over the past few weeks.

While Christian Gonzalez remains one of the top players in football, Marcus Jones has also emerged as one of the league’s best slot corners.

When it comes to face-offs, history favors New England. They have played Jim Harbaugh’s team three times in the postseason and won every single time. That doesn’t guarantee anything, but Mike Vrabel’s team certainly has chances to pull it off with sharp execution. Now, with the big game approaching this Sunday, the coach is becoming part of bigger talks. 

Mike Vrabel feels the weight of legacy talks

If we look beyond the Tom Brady era, this is undoubtedly one of the best seasons for the Patriots. Under Mike Vrabel, the team has blown past expectations by recording 14 wins and clinching its divisional title since 2019. In fact, they have dominated multiple power rankings, with their QB Drake Maye being part of the MVP conversation in just his second year. However, Tom E. Curran believes that regular-season success isn’t a testament to real success and legacy. 

“Resumes are made in the regular season; legacies are made in the postseason,” he said on the Patriots Talk Podcast. “Lamar Jackson is on that track. Peyton Manning lived on that track. Meanwhile, you have Eli Manning, who was a better-than-average quarterback but not great, and he’s revered because of what he did in the postseason.”

Curran believes postseason performance and winning championships play a bigger role in carving out a legacy. According to him, the playoffs count for more than half of how fans will judge the Patriots’ season. A successful run from here will build their legacy, while an early exit will reduce their incredible year to just a feel-good story.

Meanwhile, his podcast partner Phil Perry believes the team’s foundation is clearly in place with this coaching staff and quarterback. Despite acknowledging New England’s impressive regular-season run, he agreed with Curran. 

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“If they don’t win one in the postseason, it will change our collective memory of this team.”