FOXBORO – You weren’t wrong to believe.

They were favored, after all.

And by the time anyone pulled up to Gillette Stadium, bad weather – a time-tested tell for major moments in Patriots history – had already descended on Foxboro.

So as rain doused Mike Vrabel’s head-coaching debut, it was no surprise to see the Patriots‘ defense generate three straight three-and-outs in the first half. Or watch Drake Maye lead multiple scoring drives. Or spot the head coach and quarterback duck into the locker room at halftime with a 10-7 lead and a strengthening grip on the game.

Victory felt within reach, if not close, right?

After all, the dynasty took its first steps in the Snow Bowl across from these same Raiders, then started running in frigid playoff battles with Peyton Manning. Raindrops soak

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