The subtle stat that explains why the Patriots are back in the Super Bowl
These aren’t the Brady-era Patriots. This New England team made it to Super Bowl LX using a very different formula.
The New England Patriots are back in the Super Bowl for the first time since the Tom Brady era. But this time, they didn’t bulldoze their way there with flashy box scores or viral highlights.
Instead, they did it the old-fashioned way: by staying on the field, protecting the ball, and forcing opponents to play catch-up.
SUPER BOWL BOUND!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/1AiJpvXeEF
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 25, 2026
The formula behind the Patriots’ Super Bowl run
Over the course of the season, the Patriots consistently controlled time of possession, wearing teams down with long drives and keeping their own defense fresh. It didn’t always show up as explosive offense, but it showed up where it mattered most - late in games, on third downs, and in high-pressure moments.
A clear example came in the AFC Championship against the Denver Broncos, when New England leaned on sustained drives in the second half to protect their narrow lead. Rather than pushing the ball recklessly downfield, the Patriots strung together clock-eating possessions, converting key third downs and forcing the Broncos’ defense to stay on the field. Those drives didn’t always end with touchdowns, but they flipped field position, drained the clock, and limited Denver’s opportunities to mount a comeback.
The Broncos offense virtually vanished in the 3rd quarter. 👻
— Moss (@MossWard) January 25, 2026
They held the ball for just 1 minute and 50 seconds. The Patriots controlled the clock for over 13 minutes.
Is the game over right there?
pic.twitter.com/C1gtYOs08B
Quarterback Drake Maye deserves credit for poise beyond his years, but this Super Bowl run hasn’t required him to play hero. Instead, he’s been protected by strong field position and timely defensive stops. Sustaining drives, avoiding turnovers, and cashing in on opportunities became their identity, especially during the playoff run.
It’s not the loudest path to the Super Bowl, but it’s one of the most reliable. And against an explosive Seahawks team, that quiet stat may be New England’s biggest weapon of all on Super Bowl Sunday.
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