For the first time since the Tom Brady–Bill Belichick era, playoff football has returned to Foxboro. The parking lots around Gillette Stadium transformed into a rocking party hours before kickoff. Smoke from grills billowed into the air as fans tossed footballs, played cornhole, and huddled around televisions, tracking the Eagles-49ers NFC tilt. Portable fireplaces provided warmth as temperatures dipped into the night.
The scene, following the Patriots’ stunning 14-3 regular season finish, was six years in the making. The last time New England hosted a playoff game, a Mike Vrabel-led Titans team flew in from Tennessee to beat Brady and Belichick in the legendary duo’s last playoff game together on January 4, 2020.
Patriots fans expressed confidence that Vrabel, in his first year as head coach, and MVP-contending quarterback Drake Maye, would do enough against the Chargers to advance to next week’s Divisional Round.
Glen DeCecco, a former state command sergeant major of the Rhode Island National Guard, soaked in the atmosphere with his friend Joe Forge across Route 1, three hours before kickoff. A Patriots fan since the 1980s, DeCecco bought a minibus in 2018, which he has converted into a vehicle full of team merchandise, reflecting his deep commitment to the team. He predicted an “absolute win” for the home team.
“It feels like we finally turned the corner,” DeCecco told the Herald. “I mean, no matter what happens—win, lose, or draw at this point—we’re already winners. I can’t wait to see how this ends for our Patriots, and then what we’re going to bring next year to the table.”
Across the parking lot, Brian Babz, a self-proclaimed “Leader of Patriots Nation,” sported an “I (heart) Drake Maye” t-shirt, smiling from ear to ear as he described how it felt “amazing” to have playoff football back in Foxboro. Babz’s Instagram account boasts 46,000 followers.
Throughout the season, he tracked the Patriots’ progress against a “red line,” his personal benchmark to measure whether the team was in the playoff picture or not. The past two seasons had been tumultuous, with New England finishing 4-13 each year. This season, however, Babz didn’t have much to worry about as the Patriots surprised him with a 14-3 record and claimed the AFC East title.
Babz declared that the Patriots would be “truly back” if they beat the Chargers in the Sunday Night Football playoff clash. He also reflected on the strong community connection between the fans and the franchise.
“Robert Kraft has always cared about his fans, and he’s always cared about giving back to the community,” Babz said. “And I do feel bad for him because I booed him the last two seasons.”
“But that was me as a fan saying, ‘Hey, we need to turn this around. We need to see a better product on the field,’” he added. “But Robert Kraft has always done great in this community. Now the Patriots are winning again, and they’re back on the top.”
Outside Gillette Stadium, fans lined up to enter bars at Patriot Place for pregame festivities. Others set up tents and relaxed as they prepared to head into the stadium, including the DiFrumolo family from Woburn.
“This is the best stadium at night. The best,” said Nancy DiFrumolo, a season-ticket holder for 35 years, alongside her husband Tony and their adult children, Danielle and David. “During the day, it’s great, but nighttime is the best.”
https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/01/11/patriots-fans-pumped-as-nfl-playoffs-return-to-gillette-stadium-already-winners/