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‘It just seems like a Mike Vrabel-type team’: Kurt Warner credits Patriots for taking on coach’s personality
"You're going to have to go in and you're going to have to outplay them across the board to beat that football team. Because if you don't, they're going to take advantage of it."
Kurt Warner’s take on the Patriots: The Patriots are now officially playoff bound after defeating the Ravens on Sunday. New England also earned plaudits for the comeback win against a difficult Baltimore opponent.
Among those who has been won over is former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Kurt Warner, now an NFL analyst and commentator. During a recent interview on “The Rich Eisen Show,” Warner said that New England has taken on the persona of its head coach.
“I just think New England’s a team that has learned how to win a lot of different ways. It just seems like a Mike Vrabel-type team,” said Warner. “They might not overly impress you in any one area at any point in time, or they may not go out and beat you by 25 points, but they’re going to be solid across the board in every facet.”
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The flow of the game against Baltimore — with New England falling behind but eventually rallying to victory — is what impressed Warner.
“Defense came up big when they needed to, Drake Maye takes over, and Drake just continues to get better and methodically working the ball downfield, making the right decisions over and over again,” he explained. “I think him, Mike Vrabel, and Josh McDaniels, the way they balance out their sides of the ball, the even-keeled nature of Mike Vrabel is what it’s all about.
“There’s no panic,” added Warner. “[If] they get down a couple of scores, they don’t panic, just like their coach never panics, and they just take one step at a time get back into it.”
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As he looks into the future, with the looming NFL playoffs, Warner isn’t ready to pick New England as a Super Bowl favorite. Still, he sees the Patriots a legitimate threat.
“So they’re going to be a tough out. I don’t know if they’re a great football team, but I think they’re really solid in a lot of different ways, and you’re going to have to beat them,” he said. “You’re going to have to go in and you’re going to have to outplay them across the board to beat that football team. Because if you don’t, they’re going to take advantage of it.”
Trivia: Kurt Warner led both the Rams and Cardinals to Super Bowl appearances. Can you name the three other QBs all-time to start Super Bowls for more than one team?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: Two are known for their 21st century rivalry, while the other started Super Bowls for the Cowboys and Broncos.
Scores and schedules:
The Bruins lost to the Canadiens on Tuesday 6-2. Boston will face the Sabres on Saturday in Buffalo at 7 p.m.
The Celtics play the Pacers on Friday in Indiana at 7 p.m.
The Boston Fleet travel to play the Ottawa Charge on Saturday at 12 p.m.
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On Sunday, the Patriots face the Jets at MetLife Stadium at 1 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
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- Ahead of a self-described ‘must-win’ game, Bruins fail to meet the moment
- Milton Williams returns to practice as Patriots begin process for him to return from IR
- Patriots’ Drake Maye, Christian Gonzalez named to AFC Pro Bowl roster
- Ryan Clark credits ‘big bro’ Drake Maye for guiding Patriots through adversity
- Revolution add Brooklyn Raines in trade with Houston Dynamo
Sights and sounds: A nice recap of the Patriots’ win over the Ravens, utilizing some mic’d up moments.
On this day: In 2011, the Patriots fell behind 17-0 against the Dolphins by halftime. In the second half, however, New England’s offense found its footing — including a pair of Tom Brady quarterback sneaks for one-yard touchdowns — and rallied to defeat Miami 27-24.
Daily highlight: New England native Cooper Flagg threw it down with authority on his way to scoring 33 with nine rebounds and nine assists in a 131-130 Mavericks win over the Nuggets.
Trivia answer: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Craig Morton
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