For most of the 2025 season, the Patriots have been criticized, and their performance downplayed as doubters have chalked up their success to "an easy strength of schedule," despite it never being a topic of conversation before.
It has become the ugly narrative surrounding their season, and a 10-game win streak, winning the AFC East for the first time in six years, and earning the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoff picture wasn't enough to disprove it.
That led almost every analyst and non-New England fan to pick the Texans for the divisional round matchup on Sunday, regardless of the weather or the bad luck that has historically plagued Houston over the last few years.
It made it easy for the Patriots and their fans to immediately troll the loudest doubters after they won the game to advance to the AFC Championship, which included Stefon Diggs' girlfriend, Cardi B.
Cardi B just spoke for every Patriots' fan after they beat the Texans
The rapper was quick to jump onto her social media to respond to the viral image of every member of the NFL Live panel picking the Texans to beat the Patriots on Sunday afternoon.
She didn't say much, but she didn't have to, yet she spoke for every New England fan in that moment.
THEY DIDN’T BELIEVE IN US !!! I LIKE US!!!!! WE ALL WE GOT!!!!! WE ALL WE NEED !!!! #Patsnation https://t.co/pufQTNTIIw pic.twitter.com/GLa7dQy9Jr
— Cardi B (@iamcardib) January 18, 2026
There's not much else to say, really.
The look of regret on the panel's faces is one that Patriots fans will remember for a long time, even more so than their weak attempts to justify their choices.
They surely won't be picking differently next week, when they play the Broncos on the road, despite being four-point favorites immediately after the game or their history in the championship game.
Regardless, Mike Vrabel has brought out the best in this Patriots' team, and they have accomplished far more than anyone anticipated or believed was possible this season. Drake Maye is an MVP contender, and now they're just one game away from reaching the Super Bowl.
This is what every fan has dreamt about, and now, we're finally experiencing it again after a five-year drought.
