SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) 鈥� As the New England Patriots continued to rack up wins late in the regular season, coach Mike Vrabel shied away from mentioning the idea of a run when he spoke to his team after games.
But there were hints of where he felt this team could go.
鈥淲e鈥檝e got to keep going because they keep getting bigger and bigger. They get bigger and bigger,” he after wins late in the season.
Now, those words have manifested themselves into a chance for Vrabel to lead his first Patriots team to the franchise鈥檚 seventh Super Bowl title when they meet the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
While the players have certainly been the engine 鈥� a fact the coach has pointed out on virtually every occasion he鈥檚 asked about the team鈥檚 success 鈥� Vrabel鈥檚 leadership can鈥檛 be discounted.
And after moderate expectations for this group coming off New England鈥檚 back-to-back 4-13 finishes over the past two seasons, the Patriots suddenly have an opportunity to become the sixth team to win a Super Bowl after finishing with a losing record the previous season.
Vrabel has also instilled a sense of urgency into a team that entered the postseason with only 18 players who鈥檇 even appeared in a playoff game.
鈥淲e鈥檙e all just locked in because we know what鈥檚 at stake,鈥� cornerback Carlton Davis III said. 鈥淲e know we don鈥檛 get too many chances at this. Making a playoff run just being able to advance in the playoffs and get to this point. We鈥檙e just giving it our all. … It鈥檚 paying off right now.鈥�
Patriots offense
It begins with , who in just his second season finished second in MVP voting after posting a league-best 72% completion percentage, to go along with 4,394 passing yards and 31 touchdowns.
He is the fourth quarterback since 2000 to win each of his first three career playoff starts, joining Tom Brady (won first 10), Joe Burrow (three) and Jake Delhomme (three). Maye is also the first quarterback in history to win three games against top five defenses in a single playoffs 鈥� the Chargers (No. 5), Texans (No. 1) and Broncos (No. 2).
But it鈥檚 the trust he鈥檚 built among his offensive teammates that stands out.
鈥淗is maturation process is second to none,” wide receiver Stefon Diggs said. “One of the best I鈥檝e ever seen from a quarterback position. He鈥檚 still super young, which is crazy. He鈥檚 had a lot of success, but as I have grown closer to him, I鈥檓 a huge fan of him. He鈥檚 like a mini inspiration. To be that young, be that mature and be able to play at a high level is something that I always wanted when I was a young player. I鈥檓 just happy to be a part of this thing.鈥�
But it鈥檚 more than that. Maye is supported by a capable group of wide receivers, led by Diggs, who posted his seventh 1,000-yard season coming off knee surgery.
The group also features big-play threats like Kayshon Boutte and playmakers like DeMario Douglas. That combined with the production from running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson (four TD runs of 50 or more yards), gives the Patriots the kind of threats that will challenge the Seahawks.
Patriots defense
Things could have gone south for his unit after defensive coordinator took a leave of absence following a cancer diagnosis just before the start of the season.
Instead, has stepped into the de factor coordinator role and thrived.
The Patriots were top 10 in total defense, rush defense, pass defense and points allowed. New England鈥檚 defense has allowed just two touchdowns this postseason.
鈥淚 feel like we鈥檝e always had this under our sleeves,鈥� cornerback Carlton Davis III said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just coming out now. Everybody鈥檚 healthy. And we鈥檙e playing for our season. We鈥檙e just putting it together. We鈥檙e just trying to be the best defense on the field every game and that鈥檚 what鈥檚 been happening. It鈥檚 not some secret to our success. It鈥檚 us being ourselves and us playing for one another.鈥�
Davis and fellow cornerback Christian Gonzalez have also played lights out during the playoffs. Davis has allowed no touchdowns and just eight completions (7.5 yards per) the 16 times he鈥檚 been targeted this postseason. Gonzalez is allowing completions on only 40.7% of the passes thrown his way (11 of 27) and only 11.6 yards per completion with no touchdowns.
Special teams
Look no further than punt returner Marcus Jones. He had punt returns of 94 and 87 yards this season, giving the Patriots another way to score at any moment.
Rookie kicker Anthony Borregales has been mostly unflappable, connecting on 27 of his 32 field goal attempts, including all four of 50-plus yards .
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