For the first time since the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era, playoff football has returned to Foxboro, as the parking lots around Gillette Stadium turned into a rocking party hours before kickoff.

Smoke from grills billowed into the air, while fans tossed footballs, played cornhole, and huddled around televisions as they tracked the Eagles-49ers NFC tilt. Portable fireplaces provided warmth as temperatures dipped into the night.

The scene, after the Patriots finished at a stunning 14-3 in the regular season, was six years in the making.

The last time New England hosted a playoff game? A Mike Vrabel-led Titans team flew into Foxboro from Tennessee to beat Brady and Belichick in the legendary duo’s last playoff game together on Jan. 4, 2020.

Patriots fans voiced confidence that Vrabel, in his first year as head coach, and MVP-contending quarterback Drake Maye, would do enough against the Chargers to move on to next week’s Divisional Round.

Glen DeCecco, a former state command sergeant major of the Rhode Island National Guard, took in the atmosphere with his friend, Joe Forge, across Route 1, three hours before the Wild Card matchup kicked off.

DeCecco, a Patriots fan since the 1980s, purchased a minibus in 2018 that he has since converted into a vehicle full of team merchandise, reflecting his commitment to the team. He felt an “absolute win” coming for the home team.

“It feels like we finally turned the corner,” DeCecco told the Herald. “I mean, no matter what happens — win, lose, or draw — at this point, we’re already winners. I can’t wait to see how this ends for our Patriots, and then what we’re going to bring next year to the table.”

Across the parking lot, Brian Babz, a self-proclaimed “Leader of Patriots Nation,” rocked a “I (heart) Drake Maye” t-shirt, smiling from ear to ear while describing how it felt “amazing” to have playoff football back in Foxboro.

Babz’s Instagram account has 46,000 followers. Throughout the season, he tracks the Patriots and their standing against a “red line,” which he uses to measure whether the team is in the playoff picture or not.

The past two seasons proved tumultuous, with New England finishing 4-13 each year. This season? Babz didn’t have much to worry about, as the Patriots surprised him with a 14-3 record, claiming the AFC East title.

Babz declared that the Patriots would be “truly back” if they beat the Chargers in the Sunday Night Football playoff clash. The super fan also reflected on the community connection between the fans and the franchise.

“Robert Kraft has always cared about his fans, and he’s always cared about giving back to the community,” Babz said. “And I do feel bad for him because I booed him the last two seasons.”

“But that was me as a fan saying, ‘Hey, we need to turn this around. We need to see a better product on the field,” he added. “But Robert Kraft has always done great in this community. Now the Patriots are winning again, and they’re back on the top.”

Outside of Gillette, fans waited in lines to get into bars at Patriot Place for pregame festivities. Others set up tents and relaxed as they prepared to head into the stadium, including the DiFrumolo family from Woburn.

“This is the best stadium at night. The best,” Nancy DiFrumolo, a season-ticket holder of 35 years, said, alongside her husband, Tony, and their adult children, Danielle and David. “During the day, it’s great, but nighttime is the best.”

A fan who gave his name only as “Father Foxboro” arrives before the game at Gillette Stadium. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)