Newsmerido

By Matthew Couden

Contributing Writer

ShareNewsweek is a Trust Project member

The New England Patriots earned themselves a return trip to the Super Bowl, and did so without Bill Belichick as head coach, Tom Brady at quarterback, or Rob Gronkowski at tight end.

Instead, this season's team featured young quarterback Drake Maye and a supporting cast that included veteran wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins, tight end Hunter Henry, and running back Rhamondre Stevenson.

Ultimately, the team won 10-7 in snowy conditions at Denver's stadium, thanks to a Drake Maye touchdown, a second-half field goal, and defensive stops.

A win's a win, and that means Patriots fans are celebrating another Super Bowl appearance. This year marks Super Bowl appearance No. 12, which is the most by any NFL team in league history.

Read more: Stefon Diggs Goes Viral for Headbutt Before Patriots Playoff Win

Former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski

...

While the broadcast appeared on CBS, the NFC Championship Game followed directly after on Fox. Their pregame panel included their standard crew featuring Curt Menefee, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Michael Strahan, and Rob Gronkowski.

Menefee announced the result of the AFC Championship Game to the crew, and they shared their thoughts and reactions. That included Gronk, who seemed excited to see his former team back in the big game.

"It was one of the best turnarounds in sports from where the Patriots were last year, and then going out and getting Mike Vrabel as their head coach and having this turnaround and going to the Super Bowl. Pats nation, we're going back to the Super Bowl, baby, that's what I'm talking about," a fired-up Gronk said as he looked into the camera.

Gronk praised the late fourth-quarter first-down run by Maye to help the Patriots run the clock and secure their win. He also delivered a strong message for his former team's owner, Robert Kraft, saying the "gold jacket is 100 percent waiting for him to go into the Hall of Fame."

With the win, the Patriots now await the winner of the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks' NFC Championship Game matchup. Ahead of Sunday's outcomes, both NFC teams were favorites in odds given for hypothetical Super Bowl LX matchups offered by various sportsbooks.

The Patriots have won six Super Bowls, all featuring Tom Brady at quarterback. Gronkowski, now retired, participated in three of those Patriots Super Bowl wins as a tight end.

Another win would be extra significant, as it would push the Patriots to a record seven Super Bowl wins, putting them ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers. It seems Gronk is all aboard as he cheers on his former team from afar.

Read more: Seahawks Coach is ‘Prime Candidate’ for Raiders Head Coach Job: Report

For more about the New England Patriots and the NFL, visit Newsweek Sports.

Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines