Chad Graff

Josh McDaniels’ winding road back to another Super Bowl with the Patriots The veteran offensive coordinator is back for his third run in New England armed with new teachings from some of the country's best coaches.

Josh McDaniels’ winding path has him on the verge of history and a seventh Super Bowl. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

Good news/bad news for the Patriots at practice today.

Good: Drake Maye was a full participant.

Bad: Leading tackler Robert Spillane still isn’t practicing. Though he said he plans to play in the Super Bowl.

Meet John Streicher, the guy behind the guy most responsible for the Patriots’ turnaround Though he prefers to remain behind the scenes, Mike Vrabel's right-hand man has played a huge role in the Patriots' success this season.

John Streicher has quietly been one of the most influential guys in this incredible Patriots turnaround.

Meet the man known as Stretch: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...

Road uniforms and a locker-room snafu: 10 details about Patriots' Super Bowl week

Why are the Patriots — the home team in the Super Bowl — actually in the more cramped visitor’s locker room?

Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...

Craig Woodson and the Patriots’ 13-player rookie class have spurred a Super Bowl run While Will Campbell and TreVeyon Henderson have inspired an offensive surge, safety Craig Woodson has been a huge factor on defense.

Craig Woodson and a 13-member rookie class are helping propel this magical Patriots run. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

Bill Belichick, legendary Patriots coach, snubbed by Pro Football Hall of Fame: Source Bill Belichick, who won six Super Bowls in New England, was not elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first time on the ballot.

Bill Belichick was snubbed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and will not be a first ballot inductee. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

Instead of X's and O's, Mike Vrabel opted for 4 H's to spur Patriots' turnaround

Mike Vrabel transformed the Patriots' roster. But then he needed to make them a team.

So instead of jumping into Xs and Os, he asked about four Hs. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

Mike Vrabel’s turnaround of the Patriots is nearly complete: ‘It’s all about the coach’ In his first season back in New England, Vrabel outmaneuvered Sean Payton on the way to his first Super Bowl as a head coach.

"It's all about the coach, man."

Mike Vrabel's insane turnaround of the Patriots is nearly complete ... and it's still Year 1. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...

The Patriots open as 4-point underdogs for the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks.

Another poor punt from Bryce Baringer.

Now it's all up to the Patriots' defense.

Up three. Three minutes left. Super Bowl on the line.

Drake Maye has more rushing yards (64) than passing yards (55).

Halftime: Patriots 7, Broncos 7

The Patriots have to be ecstatic to be tied. They've basically played their 'D' game.

They have fewer rushing yards, fewer passing yards, fewer first downs, and less time of possession than the Broncos.

And it's still tied.

I don't have access to the in-game numbers, but it sure feels like the Patriots are sending the house so often on these blitzes.

Trying to force more mistakes from Jarrett Stidham.

Jarrett Stidham so far: 7-of-11 for 79 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 INT.

The Patriots have 12 yards on 12 plays.

Their offense is just totally disjointed against this Broncos defense right now.

Patriots middle linebacker Robert Spillane suffered an apparent injury and slammed his helmet on the grass in frustration, but he was able to walk off under his own power.

He's being looked at by trainers now.

Rough start for the Patriots' offense.

They have 17 yards on 9 plays.

That's exactly the start the Broncos needed. They couldn't afford to play from behind.

Now they take the game's first lead.

Jarrett Stidham is only 2-of-5 but those two completions were for a 52-yard gain and a touchdown.

Christian Gonzalez was one-on-one with Marvin Mims and Mims won.

That's a 52-yard pass for Jarrett Stidham.

Six plays so far between the Broncos and Patriots for 7 yards.

The Patriots have played in half of the AFC Championship Games this century.

Sunday will be their 13th appearance in the conference title game in the last 25 seasons.

Drake Maye, Patriots enjoy another wild win as fairytale season rolls on

An hour after the game, assistant coaches were taking photos in the snow. Drake Maye came out to throw passes to his brothers.

The Patriots are enjoying this magical run as it rolls on. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...

The Patriots have turned the ball over three times and are still comfortably winning the turnover battle.

What a weird game.

The Houston Texans have 5 turnovers in 11 possessions.

It just feels like both defenses are more likely to score a TD than the offenses at this point.

Is it crazy to wonder if the Texans should go with Davis Mills in the second half?

CJ Stroud is just a mess right now.

What a drive. Drake Maye came out swinging and threaded some really nice throws.

Even with some shaky moments, Maye is 9-of-14 passing for 109 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs.

These Houston edge rushers are long. They're gonna get to Drake Maye. Nice job by Danielle Hunter there.

That's back-to-back weeks Maye was strip-sacked. Pats are fortunate Will Campbell recovered it. Could've been a disaster.

No surprise in this matchup that's expected to be low scoring: Both offenses open with three-and-outs.

(Though the Pats were aided by an errant Stroud pass and a drop.)

If the Patriots win tomorrow, they’ll head to Denver for the AFC Championship game.

The Broncos will host the Pats or Texans next Sunday at 3 pm ET.