Mike Vrabel's Patriots goals are being reached within a year

When Mike Vrabel was introduced last January he set three goals for the Patriots. Within a year the team won the AFC East and posted a 16-3 wild-card victory over the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium.

Mike Vrabel was introduced as the New England Patriots head coach last January and laid out three clear goals: win the AFC East, host playoff games at Gillette Stadium, and compete for championships. The franchise had returned from consecutive 4-13 seasons and faced a period of rebuilding. In less than one year, the Patriots secured the AFC East and then won a wild-card game at home against the Los Angeles Chargers, a result that advanced them to host another playoff game in the divisional round. The win highlighted a strong defensive performance and growing roles for several coaches and players. Key facts: - Vrabel announced three primary objectives when hired: win the AFC East, host playoff games, and compete for championships. - On Day 349 of his tenure the Patriots clinched the AFC East, and on Day 363 they beat the Los Angeles Chargers 16-3 in a wild-card game at Gillette Stadium. - New England's defense recorded six sacks on Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and held Los Angeles to 207 total yards. - The Chargers were 1-of-10 on third down and 1-of-3 on fourth down in the game. - Quarterback Drake Maye had two turnovers and was sacked five times during the wild-card game. - Inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr received credit from Vrabel for defensive play-calling after Terrell Williams stepped away earlier in the season while battling prostate cancer; defensive tackle Milton Williams accidentally head-butted Vrabel during a postgame celebration, leaving the coach with a busted lip. Summary: The Patriots have achieved two of the three goals Vrabel set when he arrived, and the wild-card victory reinforced the team's defensive identity and depth. New England will host a divisional-round game against either the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Houston Texans as the next step in the postseason.