What Was Your Question?

Well, I guess the Patriots defense finally played somebody.

Yeah, I know. Le'Veon Bell tapped out pretty early on. Just 20 yards on 6 carries. Still, the Steelers earned their spot in the AFC Championship. They had a real quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger, a guy with two rings of his own. They had weapons, chief among them Antonio Brown. So what happened?

36 to 17 happened. Malcolm Butler checking Antonio Brown happened. Two goal line stands happened. That deserves repeating. Two goal line stands happened! Two! An interception by Eric Rowe happened. A forced fumble by Kyle Van Noy recovered by Rob Ninkovich happened.

And while the New England defense wasn't happening, Tom Brady was. Brady had a New England playoff record setting night with his 384 yards passing. He tallied 3 TD passes behind an offensive line that brought their lunch pails to this game. Chris Hogan did his best Marvin "Shake" Tiller, averaging 20 yards per reception (9/180 with 2 TD) and Julian Edelman did Julian Edelman (8/118/1). Edelman is now the Patriots all-time leader in receiving yards in playoff games.

The Patriots franchise is going to their 9th Super Bowl, the most in NFL history.

Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are going to their 7th Super Bowl, the most in NFL history for a coach and a player.

Tom Brady has a chance to win his 5th Super Bowl and yes, that would be a record, too.

To paraphrase Charles Dickens, these are the best of times.

Period.

We're on to Houston!