NFL Super Bowl 60: Are the New England Patriots back? Drake Maye & Mike Vrabel the new Tom Brady & Bill Belichick

For those who had their Super Bowl dreams dashed by the Patriots in the past, there are some uneasy similarities with how Vrabel and Maye have emulated the Brady and Belichick axis.

At just 23, Maye could become the youngest quarterback to win the Super Bowl so he’s younger than Brady was, but both have made the big game in their second season.

Maye is just the third quarterback to make the Super Bowl after generating under 17 points on offence in multiple play-off games – Brady’s 2001 Pats offence failed to put 17 on the board in all three games.

Weather played a part in all three play-off games but Vrabel’s defence was still excellent and coming through such tight encounters like that in the post-season is exactly how Brady and Belichick made their names.

In fact, New England’s win over Denver was just the fourth time since 2001 that a quarterback generated 14 points or fewer on offence and still won a Championship game or Super Bowl – Brady was part of the other three.

Maye spreads the ball out like Brady used to, with nine players this season having at least 200 receiving yards, and often pops up with the crucial play at the crucial time, albeit more with his legs than his arm.

Of Maye’s 16 runs in the play-offs, 12 have gone for a touchdown or first down – Brady had the same kind of magic in his arm to lead his team’s to glory.

So a tough, defensive coach, a talented, focused quarterback happy to win any way possible, some key drafting and expert free agent pick-ups have resulted in a team able to blow teams away or grind out tough play-off wins home and away.

That sure sounds familiar, and it will be a familiar sight in Santa Clara as the Patriots will have appeared in 20% of all Super Bowls come Sunday – and the concern for the rest of the NFL is that this could be just the start.