DINER WITH SOME OF THE FOXBOROUGH FAITHFUL. LESS THAN 12 HOURS AFTER THE PATS CLINCH, A NUMBER TWO SEED IN THE AFC PLAYOFFS. IT’S ALL PATRIOT TALK AT THE KNOTTY PINE. EVERY MONDAY, I LOOK FORWARD TO COMING ON A MONDAY. THAT’S ALL WE DO. LIKE TODAY WE’RE JUST GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT. YES, SPORTS IS SPOKEN HERE, BUT NOW IT’S ALL PATRIOTS. I THINK THEY CAN GO ALL THE WAY. THEY PROVE THEMSELVES NOW THAT GRAVEL IS NOW THE COACH. I’M SURPRISED OF HOW RARE THEY WERE LAST YEAR TO WHERE THEY ARE NOW. THEY CAN GO ALL THE WAY. I’M PRAYING. I’M HOPING THEY DO WELL. WE ASKED SISTER T, A LONGTIME PATRIOTS FAN, IS THIS SEASON SOME KIND OF DIVINE INTERVENTION? WE HAD A TOUGH COUPLE OF YEARS, RIGHT, WITHOUT THE PLAYOFFS, BUT I THINK WE’RE BACK. SO WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MAYBE THE MOST POPULAR COACH IN NEW ENGLAND DECIDES TO HAVE SUNDAY MORNING BREAKFAST AT YOUR SPOT. SO THE GUY OVER THERE, I THOUGHT, I KNOW HIM, BUT HE’S LIKE A BIG GUY. AND THE GUY WHO WILL SIT OVER HERE. COME ON, COME ON. HE’S THE COACH. JUST A FEW HOURS BEFORE SUNDAY’S LAST REGULAR SEASON GAME, COACH VRABEL AND HIS WIFE STEPPED INTO THEO’S COZY CORNER IN THE NORTH END. VERY POLITE, VERY NICE GUY. COACH TOOK A FEW PICTURES, PAID HIS BILL AND ASKED THEO A QUESTION. YOU UP AT 6 A.M. EVERY DAY? I’LL BE HERE VERY SOON. EVERYBODY’S EXCITED. IT’S A LOT OF ENERGY. YOU KNOW, IT’S BEEN A WHILE. YES. IT HAS. THE PATRIOTS HAVEN’T HAD A HOME PLAYOFF GAME SINCE THE 2019 SEASON. GET READY FOR KICKOFF SUNDAY

Fans are hungry for a return to the playoffs after the New England Patriots, under new head coach Mike Vrabel, turned things around and clinched the No. 2 seed in the AFC. Vrabel led the Patriots from worst to first in the AFC East, and New England will host the Chargers on Sunday in the wild-card round. It’ll be the team’s first home playoff game since 2019. “We had a tough couple of years without the playoffs, and now we’re back,” said longtime Patriots fan Sister T, who reflected on the team’s recent struggles and current success.”Oh, I think they can go all the way. They proved themselves now that Vrabel is the coach. I’m surprised where they were last year and where they are now. They can go all the way,” said Amy, a fan who enjoyed breakfast Monday at the Knotty Pine in Auburndale. On Sunday morning, before the last regular-season game, Vrabel went out for breakfast at Theo’s Cozy Korner in the North End. The diner owner said the coach, who was dining with his wife, took a few pictures and engaged in conversation. “Very polite, very nice guy,” said Theo, owner of the Cozy Korner, who said the coach promised to come back again. Video below: 2 Minute Drill

NEWTON, Mass. —

Fans are hungry for a return to the playoffs after the New England Patriots, under new head coach Mike Vrabel, turned things around and clinched the No. 2 seed in the AFC.

Vrabel led the Patriots from worst to first in the AFC East, and New England will host the Chargers on Sunday in the wild-card round. It’ll be the team’s first home playoff game since 2019.

“We had a tough couple of years without the playoffs, and now we’re back,” said longtime Patriots fan Sister T, who reflected on the team’s recent struggles and current success.

“Oh, I think they can go all the way. They proved themselves now that Vrabel is the coach. I’m surprised where they were last year and where they are now. They can go all the way,” said Amy, a fan who enjoyed breakfast Monday at the Knotty Pine in Auburndale.

On Sunday morning, before the last regular-season game, Vrabel went out for breakfast at Theo’s Cozy Korner in the North End. The diner owner said the coach, who was dining with his wife, took a few pictures and engaged in conversation.

“Very polite, very nice guy,” said Theo, owner of the Cozy Korner, who said the coach promised to come back again.

Video below: 2 Minute Drill