As many of you who follow my writing or podcasts know, I have yet to cover a Jets playoff game as the beat reporter, a role I took in 2011.
I was there for games in 2006 and 2009 in a different role, but I am still waiting for my first playoff game on the beat. I have, however, covered more Patriots playoff games than I can count. The Post usually sends me to cover the AFC playoffs in January, and that has meant plenty of trips to Foxborough.
The latest came Sunday, when I covered the Patriots’ 16-3 win over the Chargers. I sat there thinking about how familiar it all felt. The traffic on Route 1. The song “Your Love” blaring in the fourth quarter as happy Patriots fans sang along. Shots of Robert Kraft in the owner’s booth.
It was the same playoff script I have witnessed many times before, but now the actors are different. Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye have replaced Bill Belichick and Tom Brady in the lead roles.
