Sunday night was a biggie sports event:  the AFL Championship game between the Patriots and the Chiefs.

Despite their amazing historical winning track record, the Pats were underdogs, having lost five games (all away) during the regular season and not looking as sharp as prior years.  But in their inimitable fashion, they got their act together late in the season, playing well on both sides of the ball.  They handily beat the Los Angeles Chargers in the Pats’ first playoff game the week before.

The Pats looked awesome in the first half of the AFC Championship – the score at halftime was 14-0  but it should have been 21-0.  Brady threw an uncharacteristic interception five yards away from a touchdown. The Pats looked dominant going into half time.

The second half was a different story as the incredible rookie QB Patrick Mahomes (he’s the real deal) repeatedly marched his Chiefs down the field, scoring touchdowns and looking awesome. Next thing you knew, KC had pulled ahead 21-17 with only 7:45 left in the game.

I texted you to check in, knowing you were the only one of my grandchildren likely watching the entire game (I found out later this was a correct assumption).  You’ve always been a big Pats fan, going back to the days of our 3M adventures at Gillette Stadium.

The following is a word for word stream of our ongoing text conversation during the fourth quarter of what was arguably one of the greatest AFC Championship games of all time, a roller coaster ride of up and down emotion.

Me: you watching the game?

You:  yes, it is making me soooooooo stressed. They are saying the touchdown was overturned. Lucky. (Pats punted, Edelman got in the way and it looked like he touched it so KC picked up the loose ball and ran into the end zone, a touchdown for the Chiefs.  As they ran the play over and over again to see if he touched the ball, it was revealed he never did – amazing when you see the slow motion how close it came.  Edelman had said when it happened… “I never touched it”)

Me: I don’t think Edelman touched it!

You: he didn’t!

Me: let’s see what they say.

You : the refs said he didn’t – I hope it stays that way

Me:  me too!!! Unbelievable.

You:  Thank god.  that scared me so bad.

Me:  Amazing it didn’t touch him!!!!

You: amazing.  If they don’t get a touchdown here then it might be over for us.

Me:  OMG  Edelman! (later on, with the Pats on offense, Brady throws the ball to Edelman.  He didn’t catch the ball and it looked like KC intercepted. regaining possession.  But the play had to be reviewed to make sure.)

You:  we can’t get worse than this

Me:  defense needs a big play

You: the receivers are not doing so well at this point.  Yes, hopefully they can stop them.

Me: KC didn’t intercept it!! (looked like a pick but KC dropped it)

You: I thought they did.  Well game’s over for us.

Me:  Don’t give up, plenty of time for Brady!!!

You:  I know but they aren’t playing very well

Me:  It’s Brady time

You:  Hopefully.  These refs are one way refs.  They obviously like Kansas way better than us

Me: the officiating has been bad!!

You:  I know, one way calls – they’re favoring the Chiefs.

Me: Brady time. GOAT (Pats have the ball and Brady marches them down the field)

Me:  Woooooohoooooo!  GOAT (Pats pull ahead24-21with 3:32 left)

You:  NO WAY OMGGGGGG YAYAYYAYAYAY  I can’t get too excited yet. Omg what a play

Me:  you’re right.  Now we gotta stop em

You:  defense better be terrific

Me: what a game!!

You:  I know I don’t like it.  the refs are so unfair.  We lost. Chiefs are going to the Super Bowl. (Chiefs bounce back and score, pulling ahead 28-24 with 2:03 left on the clock.

Me: 2 minutes left for Brady. GOAT. Classic ending.  If anyone can do it it’s Brady.

You:  I don’t know by now

Me: fingers crossed!!

You: I have been crossing them this whole game

Me: Good job!!

You: I know!  We were just sooooooo lucky

Me: OMG!!! Brady & Gronk!! Legends!! (pass from Brady completed to Gronk within the Red Zone.  Pats score when Rex Burkhead scampers into the end zone.  Point after is good.  Pats lead 31-29 with 39 seconds left)

You:  We need so much luck right now

Me: We have the GOAT

You: YAYAYAYAYAYA

Me: GOAT!!!!!!  You are seeing history Emma!! 39 seconds to the super bowl

You:  I KNOW  Don’t you dare say that!!!!!

Me:  One of the greatest AFC games of all time

You:  we haven’t won yet

Me: You’re right (emojis) but regardless of who wins, it’s still 39 seconds for somebody, ha!!

Me: 32

You: yes you’re right  Run the clock

Me: OMG (Mahomes marches Chiefs down the field within reach of a field goal)

You:  This is the most stressed I’ve ever been.  No.

Me: Flag!!

You: I hate this sooooooo much

Me: Darn!!!

You: Tied maybe?

Me: Maybe!!

You: I hope not. 16 seconds of stress

Me: 11

You: Yes. I hope no overtime.

Me: OMG (Chiefs kick field goal tying the game 31-31 with 8 seconds left)

You: Well we just lost probably. They’re gonna score before us

Me:  We have the GOAT! The winningest QB of all time

You:  I know but at this point

Me: I believe.  We will each have possession in overtime if the first team with the ball doesn’t get six points

You: Ya i don’t know

Me: We won the toss. If we score 6 points we win.  If we get a field goal, KC gets a chance.

You: I know let’s hope for the best. (Brady marches the Pats down the field with the first possession in overtime. 13 plays, 75 yards in 4 minutes and 52 seconds. . Burkhead runs two yards into the end zone and the Pats WIN THE GAME 37-31

NO FRICKIN WAY. FRICKIN SUPERBOWL. U CAMT STOP THE GOAT

Me:  I told you!!!!

You: I know!!!!!  Thanks god we were all having a mini heart attack at my house (smiley emoji)

Me: Never give up with Brady. HISTORY.

You: Yayayayayaya

(a bit of time passes)

Me:  How are you doing Emma?  Was everyone watching the game? Grammy & I were pretty nervous

You: Ya everyone but Ben and jack bc Ben is lame and jack was asleep

fourth Quarter game summary		NE	KC
	TD 14:51 Damien Williams 1 Yd pass from Patrick Mahomes (Harrison Butker Kick) 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:11	17	14
	TD 7:45 Damien Williams 23 Yd pass from Patrick Mahomes (Harrison Butker Kick) 2 plays, 23 yards, 0:10	17	21
	TD 3:32 Sony Michel 10 Yd Run (Stephen Gostkowski Kick) 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:13	24	21
	TD 2:03 Damien Williams 2 Yd Run (Harrison Butker Kick) 5 plays, 68 yards, 1:29	24	28
	TD 0:39 Rex Burkhead 4 Yd Run (Stephen Gostkowski Kick) 6 plays, 65 yards, 1:24	31	28
	FG 0:08 Harrison Butker 39 Yd Field Goal 4 plays, 48 yards, 0:31	31	31
Overtime		NE	KC
	TD 10:08 Rex Burkhead 2 Yd Run 13 plays, 75 yards, 4:52	37	31