""In an AFC this year where it's wide open, the Patriots are just as good as anybody," said the now-NBC Sports analyst of New England's Super Bowl odds. "They have right now the best chance to me, because being there [on Monday], that atmosphere is different. Different than even when I was there. When I was there, it was, 'We're expected to be here. We'll show up in the AFC Championship, and cheer. If the game's close, we'll go crazy and help you out.'""
""Being in that atmosphere after two bad seasons, you could see the fans were like, 'Man we thought we were going to have to wait maybe 15 years to be good again.' Their energy, the way they're showing up to the stadium early, staying the whole game. I think they feel, 'Hey, we need to give this team a boost because we had no idea we'd be this good right now.'""
New England returned to contention in 2025 with an 11-2 record and a 10-game winning streak. Second-year quarterback Drake Maye emerged as an MVP candidate driving the offensive resurgence. The AFC is wide open, placing New England among the teams with top Super Bowl chances. Fan energy has surged after two poor seasons, with attendees arriving early, staying the whole game, and creating a noticeably different atmosphere that can boost the team. Local Boston sports notes included a 2-0 Fleet win over the Vancouver Goldeneyes, the Fleet visiting the New York Sirens Sunday, the Bruins hosting the Blues tonight, and the Celtics playing the Wizards tonight. A mic'd-up feature on wide receiver Kayshon Boutt was also mentioned.
Read at Boston.com
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