Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - 2018 Revisited: AFC Championship Game - Locked On Patriots June 19, 2019

Episode Date: June 19, 2019

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It's the fresh running backs and in come more. They're dosing you with more here. Waddell checks in, an extra tackle. It's all your bigs. Devlin's in. Devlin is in. Burkett. Allen. Behind him. Allen to the left, along with Gronkowski. Second and goal to go from the two. Allen motions left to right, then reverses direction. Brady under center, a give to Burkett, runs it left for the win! Touchdown, Patriots! And they're bound for Super Bowl 53! versus direction. Brady under center. A give to Burkett. Runs it left for the win! Touchdown Patriots! And they're bound

for Super Bowl 53! What a call, Sose. We're going back, baby. And there ain't nothing you can do about it. America's worst nightmare is back. We're going to our fourth Super Bowl in five years. Pack your bags. Start our

buses. We're coming home, Boston. Oh, my God. Can't believe it. It's not their year, right? It just might be. It just might be. It was Sonia Michelle much of the night. It was Rex Burkhead with the last

two touchdown runs for the Patriots. And Burkhead on the two-yard run at the 10.08 mark of overtime in the AFC Championship game. Delivers the Patriots to an NFL record. 11th Super Bowl. America's worst nightmare is back indeed. Bob Sochi, Scott Zolak on the call for 98.5 The Sports Hub, calling the final play of the AFC Championship game that saw the New England Patriots go into Arrowhead and survive, outlast, whatever you want to call it.

The Kansas City Chiefs in overtime, 37-31, punching their ticket for Super Bowl LIII. Mark Schofield here in the big chair for the second-to-last, the penultimate installment of 2018 Revisited, our off-season series here at Locked on Patriots where we are going week-by-week through the Patriots' 2018 season. And I just want to warn everybody up front. This show might run a little long.

Usually on these shows, I've tried to look for somewhere in the neighborhood of anywhere from six to eight clips to pull. Plays to talk about. Moments to break down. I've got 15 clips stored up. And some of those have multiple plays in them. And so, going back through this game, it brought back a lot of the emotions, the highs, the lows, the sheer terror, the ultimate excitement that saw that victory in overtime.

And so it was a lot of fun to put this one together. I hope you enjoy it as well. Before we dive into this one, your usual reminders. First, follow me along on Twitter at Mark Schofield. Check out the work at a variety of places, insidethepylon.com, Pro Football Weekly, Matt Waldman's Rookie Scouting Portfolio, and yes, that trio of SB Nation websites included Big Blue View, Bleeding Green Nation,

where I co-host the QB Scosio, and of course, Pat's Pulpit. Let's talk about this game, though. Two teams, and since week six, it seemed like these two teams were destined to meet in the AFC Championship game. They would meet, thanks to the patriots pulling out their divisional round win a convincing victory over the los angeles chargers and for the chiefs they get the indianapolis colts at home on a saturday and they take care of business they're setting up this rematch of what

was a classic game in week six and this one started similar to how the patriots divisional round game started they got the ball first they went right down the field with a nice long drive and capped it off with a short touchdown run from rookie running back Sony Michelle Michelle is the tailback it'll give it to him Michelle powers in for the touchdown right behind James Devlin. And this has got to be concerning. But watch Devlin go right inside.

Just power football. And make the block right in the hole. And Gronk once again taking on over and over again outside linebackers, defensive ends, speaks. He was on right there, but just each week you see him dominating at his position in the run game, and these coaches see it for the Patriots, and they have been flying.

Michelle's short touchdown plunge gave the Patriots an early lead. And it was another, like I said, long, lengthy drive to start the game. It worked the ball down the field, kept the ball for more than half of the first quarter. Finally, Michelle caps it off with a one-yard touchdown plunge. And the Patriots' defense would stiffen on the Chiefs' first possession. They would sack Patrick Mahomes on third and ten on Kansas City's own 24-yard line. Kyle Vannoy with a 14-yard loss on the sack. And the Patriots would get a chance on a drive that went through the end of the first quarter and into the second.

They would face a third and goal at the one-yard line and a chance to go up 14-0 early on the road and perhaps not send a knockout blow, but really put Kansas City in a hole early. But then the Kansas City defense stiffened themselves. He still has it up top because he's intercepted! Intercepted by Reggie Raglin! And he's going to take a knee in the end zone for the touchback after the pick. Brady had gone 237 consecutive postseason attempts without an interception. What a time for the Chiefs defense to make a play. Raglin's big play kept the Patriots out of the end zone, gave the Chiefs some new life and a possession of their own,

and it was Tom Brady's first red zone interception in his last 78 postseason red zone passing attempts. It had been since the Seahawks Super Bowl, Super Bowl XLIX, was the last time Tom Brady threw a red zone interception in the playoffs. Now, given this opportunity, the Chiefs didn't do anything with the football. They went 3-0. The Patriots got a stop on a 3rd-and-1 in Kansas City's own territory. But the Patriots could not take advantage. And the teams basically traded punts until the final possession of the first half, the final full possession, when Tom Brady capped it off

with a touchdown pass of 29 yards to Philip Dorsett. Second and one. All kinds of time for Brady to go for it. To the end zone, and it's caught for the touchdown. Philip Dorsett. A week ago, Dorsett had his first career postseason touchdown in the game against the Chargers. He gets another win this week.

And he runs it out and up. And he beats Nelson bad. And Brady knows the corner's not looking, so you just make sure not overthrow him. And Dorsett does a great job coming back to the ball. And that, the Patriots thought they were going to have to do that more in the first half. Takes shots down the field early on the down, and they did it there. And silenced this crowd.

Extra point good. Dorsett's touchdown capped off what was an almost perfect first half for the New England Patriots, but for the raglan interception. It gave them a 14-0 lead at the halftime break. But every Patriots fan knew, just like Week 6 six you could not keep this Chiefs offense down for long Andy Reid was going to come up with some answers for the second half and boy did the Chiefs answer on the very first possession of the second half they went right down the field they got a 54 yard completion from Patrick Mahomes to Sammy Watkins on a third and two and that set up this Mahomes touchdown pass to Travis Kelsey you can have a great plan and guess what that quarterback someone there's magic and they can

just make stuff happen goes to the end zone he was caught by Kelsey for a touchdown He beat J.C. Jackson. So a lightning strike, as you foreshadowed, Tony. 54 yards to Watkins, and then right behind it, the touchdown throw. The Kelsey touchdown cut New England's lead in half, 14-7. But before the third quarter were to end, the Patriots would tack on three more points, a Steven Gostowski field goal, and the teams entered the fourth quarter with the Patriots would tack on three more points, a Steven Gostowski field goal, and the teams entered the fourth quarter with the Patriots holding on to a 17-7 lead as they entered the game's final frame,

or at least the final regulation frame. Up next, the blistering, blistering end to this contest. A dramatic fourth quarter, and of course, overtime. We're going to break all all that down next on this afc championship game installment of 2018 revisited mark scoffield back with you now on this afc championship game installment of 2018 revisited and let's face it we have a lot to get to just in the fourth quarter and overtime alone because when we left the action the Patriots had just converted a 47-yard field goal from Steven Gostowski to take a 17-7 lead in the AFC

championship game on the road with 4-0-2 left however the Chiefs got the ball and started a drive of their own that closed out the third quarter and moved into the fourth quarter and on the first play of the fourth quarter on our second down and 10 at the Patriots' 14-yard lineup, Patrick Mahomes' pass intended for Travis Kelsey fell incomplete, but J.C. Jackson was flagged for defensive pass interference. That gave the Chiefs a first and goal at the one-yard line. The foul occurred in the end zone, and the Chiefs immediately cashed in. Setting up the Chiefs just a yard away.

Since Watkins in motion. Mahomes rolling out. Throws it. For the touchdown. Damian Williams. It's a one-person route you fake everybody goes left running back goes to the flat quarterback goes out he looks inside and throws a dart and the speed of williams running high tower high tower knew his responsibility did it correct he just wasn't fast enough to keep up with williams the short touchdown pass from mahomes to Damian Williams on a boot concept into the flat

cut into the Patriots' lead, making it 17-14 here in the fourth quarter. And then, one of the game's more bizarre sequences of events took place. The Patriots looked to be in very good position. How? Well, they were forced, they actually were stopped on a fourth and goal. Excuse me, a fourth and one at the Kansas City 25-yard line. Daniel Sorensen, the safety, coming up and stopping Rex Burkett. Interesting decision by Bill Belichick to go for it.

But when you're up three against this offense, maybe you're thinking you need a touchdown. But the Patriots' defense steps up. They force a three and out. Dustin Colquitt, he looks to punt. Julian Edelman, back there to return it, looks like he fumbles it away, but upon review they rule that he has the football and is down by contact given the Patriots the football. However just two plays later as they say and as Tony Romo will say here on the call, ball

don't lie. Michelle gives him a 100-yard night. 101 on 27 carries. A fake to him on the play action. And the pass is intercepted. That's Sorensen with the football on the deflection. Sorensen who made the stop on fourth down. It went off of Edelman's hands. Well, they have a saying in basketball. The ball doesn't lie.

It was going to eventually go back to the Chiefs. This ball goes right through the fingertips of Edelman. And Sorensen returns. They were going to get this ball either way. Brady looks off, fires it. You're saying Edelman's fingertips were going to come into play in some form or fashion. Brady's attempted throw to Julian Edelman on a crossing route goes through Edelman's fingers right to safety Daniel Sorensen,

the man on the spot there. And as you heard, Tony Romo there on the call with Jim Nance for CBS. Ball don't lie. Sorensen makes another big play here after stopping Rex Burkhead on 4th and 1. He comes up with the interception, and the Chiefs have fantastic field position now, trailing just by three. They have the football, the Patriots 23-yard line, and it would not take long for them to convert with Damian Williams playing another big role here in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs convert the second and 10 play. And just like that, after the strange sequence of events,

Kansas City has their first lead of this game, 21-17. Now, I want to remind everybody, this comes with 7.45 left. The extra point is converted with 7.45 left in this contest. And the score is 21-17 Kansas City. The Patriots, though, they would not be denied. Tom Brady leads the team right down the field, and they get the ball down to the Kansas City 10-yard line, facing a

fourth and one again now trailing by four Bill Belichick leaves the offense on the field here's the handoff and to the end zone the Sony Michelle and the Patriots are back in front. Brady, I thought they would do this on the other one. He gets up. It's quarterback sneak. Nope. I'm going to motion, and I'm going to call the outside run because you can't take away both. It's really, really difficult.

What a play call. Outside zone. All those guys are inside saying it's a quarterback sneak. It's a quarterback sneak. All right. Let's wash them all down and go out wide. As you heard there, the Kansas City defense was put in a bit of a bind facing Tom Brady, such an effective runner of the quarterback sneak.

They stuffed the inside, expecting Brady to sneak, but instead they go outside zone with rookie running back Sonny Michel. And the Patriots are now back on top, 24-21. Now that touchdown comes with how much time left in the game? Well, just 3 minutes and 35 seconds. So the Kansas City Chiefs take over, and wouldn't you know it, they go right down the field. Coaching, two minutes, got to have a play on the north side of it.

And up the middle, and it's Williams with another touchdown! Patrick Mahomes in his first AFC title game, the first title game in Arrowhead. With the season on the line and the AFC championship, takes to the biggest drive of his career. The Williams two-yard touchdown plunge up the middle gave the Chiefs a 28-24 lead with just under three minutes remaining, and it capped off another strange series of events in this contest. On the second play of this possession, Patrick Mahomes hit Travis Kelsey for a short throw over the middle that was actually stopped behind the line of scrimmage.

Travis Kelsey put the ball on the turf, a fumble forced by Stephon Gilmore, and it was covered by Donta Hightower. So at that moment, it looked like the Patriots would have both the football and the lead with 3.20 left in this game. But that fumble recovery nullified by a defensive hold and flag on J.C. Jackson. Give a new life. The Patriots, excuse me, the Chiefs offense goes right down the field, capping it off with the Williams touchdown plunge, making it 28-24.

Then another strange sequence on their ensuing possession, facing a third and 10 at the Chiefs' 34-yard line. With just 1-0-1 left, Tom Brady looks to throw, and New England's season in a moment looks like it's over. but he had it long enough, I believe, but he got a flag down. So the ruling is an interception on the field. We'll wait for the flag. This could be on the Patriots. It could be a wrong formation where it's off sides.

This is huge. This could be the game right here. Off side. Defense, number 55, lined up in the neutral zone. The five-yard penalty will replay third down. Dee Ford was lined up in the neutral zone. The pass attempted by Brady goes through the hands of Gronkowski and is intercepted. However, laundry on the field. Linebacker Dee Ford lines up in the neutral zone. Waves off the interception.

Patriots give a new life,acing now a third and five. This time a third and five of the Kansas City 29-yard line. Who would Tom Brady look to on the next play? Number 87. here to Edelman. You just look up there and pick him. Here they come after Brady. He goes down the field to Gronk. Turns around, makes the catch. He saw what you saw, Tony. They don't have answers. They're going to have to play one-on-one. You got to go with your best player. I understand. You know, everyone wants to say, this is the guy. Throw that ball up and give him a chance. Brady's throw to Gronkowski on a fade route up the left sideline is caught by the big tight end,

and he's tackled down at the four-yard line. So with 42 seconds left, the Patriots, trailing in this contest, 28-24, have a first and goal at the four-yard line. They would convert that immediately with Rex Burkhead on a four-yard touchdown run off left tackle. New England 31, Kansas City 28. And after the extra point and the kickoff, the Chiefs take over.

First and 10, they're on 31-yard line with 32 seconds left. What happened? Well, Patrick Mahomes deep to Spencer Ware, 21 yards. After a timeout, Kansas City's third. They face a first and 10 on the New England 48. Patrick Mahomes with 23 seconds left. Deep left to Demarcus Robinson for 27 yards. Given Mahomes.

Now a first and ten at the Patriots' 21-yard line. Clock running. 16 seconds left. Mahomes spikes it. Harrison Butker comes out. And before you know it, this game's headed to overtime. Okay. Well, the miss here sends New England, right this game that would then go to the overtime period and a coin flip the Patriots

would win that coin flip they would take possession of the football a touchdown ends the game a field goal gives Patrick Mahomes the football and a chance to win it you don't want to give Patrick Mahomes a chance to win it but after a first down throw to Chris Hogan for 10 yards the Patriots would then face after a Rex Burke had no gain on a run up the middle and a Brady incompletion on a pass intended for Edelman, their first third down of overtime, a third and 10 at their own 35-yard line. They would convert three third downs on this drive, a third and 10 at their own 35, a third and 10 at the Kansas City 45,

and then a third and 10 at the Kansas City 45 and then a third and ten of the Kansas City 30 He got lacked a couple of times And was complete. Gronk's got a chip. Running back's got to help, so he has time to throw. Once again, Edelman in the middle of the field. Pocket sealed. Down the middle. Edelman again with a third down catch. Gronk is out wide. Watch the top of your screen.

Watch this safety. If he comes down, there's a good chance he's throwing out there. It's Gronk for the first down. Grant cut inside on the slant and gets it down to the 15. We'll break down those three third down conversions in the final segment of the show, but thanks to those big throws from Brady

and the huge receptions from Julian Edelman and Robert Gronkowski, the Patriots now could smell Super Bowl 53. They would face a first in 10 of the Kansas City Chiefs 15-yard line. But again, you don't want three here. You want seven. Well, you want six specifically

because you won't need the extra point you'd be packing your bags for the flight home to Boston. Rex Burkett would go up the middle for 10 yards and a fresh set of downs on that first down play. First and goal at the Chiefs. Five-yard line.

Burkett up the middle for three. Set it up. Second and goal from the Chiefs. Five-yard line. Burkhead up the middle for three. Set it up. Second and goal from the two. I can't see it here. This has to be a run. Second and goal to Burkhead. Burkhead to the end zone. Hello, Super Bowl.

New England is heading back again for the third straight year. Game blouses. Up next, we're going to talk about those three third down conversions as well as what we learned about the New England Patriots in this AFC Championship game. That's ahead here at Locked On Patriots. Mark Schofield back with you. Now going to close out this AFC Championship game installment

of 2018 Revisited. Let's talk about those huge conversions in overtime. The first one came on a 3rd and 10 at the Patriots 35-yard line. 13-40 remaining in the overtime frame. You need this one. If you go 3-and-out here, Patrick Mahomes

can win this game with a field goal. They could win it easily with a field goal. The Patriots, as they do so often, they put Julian Edelman wide to the left and motion him into a stack alignment behind Philip Dorsett. And the Chiefs, interestingly enough, they run a simple cover two on this third and tenth situation. That opens up the middle of the field,

and it's just a base cover two. It's not even a Tampa two look. And they try to go go man underneath it the Patriots have sort of a rub concept out of this stack Philip Dorsett goes to the outside and Edelman comes to the inside over the middle that creates a rub and against cover two man underneath that rub is all Edelman needs he gets a free release thanks to the stack he gets some separation off the line of scrimmage thanks to the rub, and he's wide open against a basic cover two look with no Tampa two linebacker to contend with. Brady sees it, clean pocket, puts the throw on the money. Yeah, Edelman takes a shot from Sorensen, who's flying down, screaming downhill from his cover to alignment but because of the stack slot the motion and the rub concept edelman is wide open now we go third and ten again at the chiefs

45 yard line and again it's julian edelman who's going to be open here what do they do while they motion them from the right boundary into another stack slot alignment. This time the Chiefs are trying to play the same defense. It's again, cover to man under. It's basically the reverse mirrored image of the previous play. Dorsett, Edelman in a stack. They switch off the release. Edelman comes inside. It's man coverage underneath.

Dorsett releases to the outside. The rub and the switch create separation. There's no middle of the field linebacker. It's a too high safety look. Easy read, easy throw, easy catch. First and 10 at the 30-yard line. It couldn't have been simpler for Tom Brady to identify what they were doing. So now you're next in final third and 10 of this game. This time McDaniels is ready for the adjustment he expects because they put Y.I. So Gronkowski to the left and Edelman is part of the trips. Look to the right. The Chiefs show two high safeties, but they rob it. They switch it to basically a cover one look where one of the safeties drops down into that

Tampa 2 middle of the field alignment to take away the crossing route that they know is coming from Julian Edelman. And it's a simple read for Brady. If they get that too high look again, he's going to throw the underneath crosser to Edelman like he had two previous occasions. Instead, when that robber safety comes down and soars in to take away that crosser, you throw the backside slant route away from that safety to Gronkowski working one-on-one against Eric Berry. That's exactly what happens. Berry tries to play him with outside leverage to take away the outside fade route.

So Gronk comes inside. Easy throw, easy catch. First and 10 at the 15-yard line. Josh McDaniels, a step ahead of the chiefs defense here three plays three conversions of third down and lawn and the patriots are going to super bowl 53 and ultimately that's what we learned about this team they were going back to a super bowl we've now recapped their entire season except for Super Bowl 53. We've had some highs. We've had some lows. We've had some moments where we didn't think this team was going to get back. And you heard Scott Zolak saying that. This team was done. This team didn't

have it. This team wasn't going to be able to get back to a Super Bowl. Lots of people nationally and locally, and yes, on this show, i.e.e me doubted this team at various spots throughout the season but in the end they had what it took to get back to a super bowl and tomorrow we're going to talk about how they won that super bowl that's ahead on the next installment and the final installment of 2018 revisited and revisit it.