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Another year, another heart-thumping playoff game that came down to the last play. The 2018 AFC Championship will go down in Patriots lore as one of the most impressive games of the Belichick-Brady reign.

The Chiefs made their plays, but the Patriots weathered the storm, executed their gameplan save a few breakdowns, and never blinked as the score went back and forth in the fourth quarter like we’ve seen so many times in the past 18 seasons.

This was the game Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman showed that when the chips were down they could do what no Patriots team had done since 2006 — win a playoff game on the road. And winning an AFC Championship on the road puts them in special company with just the 2001 and 2004 teams (and 1985 if we’re getting technical).

It’s even more remarkable considering how bad the Patriots were on the road all year. But when it’s counted, the rock-solid and balanced team that we saw plenty of times at home has shown up twice in the postseason.

The defense gave up a few close plays, but all things considered, they reigned in the Chiefs offense just enough, with Trey Flowers and Kyle Van Noy leading the way and solid coverage behind them all night. Pressure and coverage worked as one and it got them off the field on five of nine third downs.

And the special teams did just what they had to. No mistakes (though it sure looked like Edelman might’ve made a fatal one for a second there). No missed XPs.

They were so dominant that they overcame being -2 in turnovers!! Add in the fourth-down stop and the Pats left a number of points on the board. Those should’ve been the difference, but somehow they weren’t. Because they just imposed their offensive will like few Patriots playoff teams have consistently done.

So much to unpack from this one, let’s Posit it.