Patariots QB Drake Maye hands off to running back Rhamondre Stevenson duirng Sunday's AFC Championship Game in Denver. (AP photo)

Just like Tom Brady, Drake Maye will be taking the New England Patriots to the Super Bowl in his second year in the NFL.

Like Brady, Maye was a big football fan growing up. So he went to see his favorite team, the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl L when the Broncos, quarterbacked by Peyton Manning, thumped them 24-10 in 2016. It was, in, all places, Santa Clara, site of this year’s game in two weeks.

“I was in the seventh grade, and my father said if the Panthers made it, we were going to go,” Maye said. “It was heartbreaking they lost to the Broncos. But what an experience for a kid at my age (then), who loves quarterbacks. It was Peyton’s last game, what a Hall of Fame career he had. Pretty cool to be going full circle 10 years later.”

Maye used his legs to give the Patriots a big first down to allow them to keep the ball and run out the clock.

“We were in big personnel, running the same deal to the right, a little stretch play,” Maye said. “At some point (the Broncos) get lacadaisical, I got a chance to get around the edge. I thought they were going to track me down but I got enough to pick up the first. Coach Vrabes (Mike Vrabel) is probably mad I ran out of bounds at that point, but it doesn’t matter when you get the first down. It was a cool moment. It’s always cool finishing in victory formation, pretty sweet.”

Maye said that it was important that with the lead, and with the conditions, that the Patriots relied more on their defense than his offense.

“Just let the defense keep doing their thing,” Maye said. “Those were tough elements for offense. The defenses were playing great. Give us a chance, not lose the game, and turn the ball over or put our defense in a bad spot. Our defense showed up time and time again.”

GAME INACTIVES

With veteran Mack Hollins back, Patriots rookie receiver Efton Chism was back on the inactive list for Sunday’s game. Also inactive for the Patriots were tight end C.J. Dippre, OT Marcus Bryant, guard Caedan Wallace, injured OLB Harold Landry (knee) and corner Kobee Minor.

Inactive for the Broncos were receivers Michael Bandy and Troy Franklin, center Alex Forsyth, DL Jordan Jackson, DE Sai’vion Jones, LB Karene Reid, and safety JL Skinner.

GONZELEZ COMES UP BIG

Vrabel said that sometime six to eight weeks ago he sensed the Patriots corner Christian Gonazalez, who had started the season inactive with a hamstring injury, was coming around.

Gonzalez had a big interception in the fourth quarter to help seal the deal for the Patriots.

“I saw a different Gonzo,” Vrabel said. “Something went off and it changed. Maybe the Ravens game, I don’t know. I noticed a different player and a different person. So talented. I appreciate every one of them, and he can certainly be elite. Your best players have to make those types of plays in championship games.”

TIDS AND BITS

With the win Sunday, the Patriots became the only team in NFL history to go 9-0 on the road….

New England now has the most postseason wins in NFL history with 40.. They also have now won a record five Conference Championship games…

It’s the third time the Patriots – 4-13 a year ago – have made it to the Super Bowl after a losing season. They were 6-10 in 1995 before reaching the Super Bowl in the 1996 season, and of course 5-11 in 2000 before making the Super Bowl for their first championship in the 2001 season….

Mike Vrabel became the seventh coach in NFL history to lead a team he played for to the Super Bowl. The others are Don Shula with Baltimore, Tom Flores with the Raiders, Mike Ditka with the Bears, Sam Wyche with Cincinnati, Gary Kubiak with Denver and Doug Pederson with the Eagles.

NEXT UP: Vs. Seattle in Super Bowl LX on Sunday, Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, Calif.