Patriots near one of biggest NFL turnarounds in history as they prepare for AFC title game

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From 2001 to 2018, the New England Patriots were defined by 13 AFC Championship Game appearances, including one in each of the final eight seasons of that span.

After six seasons failing to make it back to the title game, and a span of falling to nearly rock bottom, the Patriots are back to what feels like home.

The Patriots, with Bo Nix's injury, are the favorites to get back to the Super Bowl for the first time in the post-Tom Brady era, which is impressive in itself.

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Head coach Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots speaks with Drake Maye #10 during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 7, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

However, nobody could have predicted this after what had gone on in recent years.

In the first three seasons after Brady left, the Pats went 7-9, 10-7 (made the playoffs with rookie Mac Jones) and 8-9. But the 2023 and 2024 seasons both ended with 4-13 records.

The first of those was under Bill Belichick in his final season with the team after 24 years. After Belichick left, Jerod Mayo was given the job, but he did not find success.

Mayo was given the short end of the stick and let go after one season, a move that garnered a lot of controversy. However, it appears to be all worth it.

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel discusses the team’s recent free agent additions with the media at Gillette Stadium on March 13, 2025.  (Eric Canha-Imagn Images)

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The Pats then brought on Mike Vrabel, who has put himself in the