The New England Patriots are no longer wandering in the quarterback wilderness after Tom Brady exits the team. Yes, the Patriots are back in a familiar postseason position, deep into the AFC playoffs and winning outside of the Super Bowl under quarterback/MVP candidate Derek Meyer and head coach Mike Vrabel.
Here are some key numbers for New England in the AFC playoffs:
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16
Number of times the Patriots have won the AFC Championship in history. They have won 11 of their last 15 games.
It didn’t take long for Mike Vrabel to get the Patriots back into Super Bowl contention in his first season as New England head coach. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
(Associated Press)
3
The Patriots entered the AFC Championship game without Tom Brady.
2
Mike Vrabel was the head coach in the AFC Championship Game. The other time was with the Tennessee Titans during the 2019 season when Arrowhead lost to Kansas City.
5
Mike Vrabel played in the AFC Championship Game as a player. He went 4-0 with the Patriots and 0-1 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he spent his rookie season.
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2,562
The days between Tom Brady’s last game against the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game and next Sunday’s conference championship game against the Broncos. Brady’s last AFC victory came in the 2018 season, when New England defeated Kansas City in overtime.
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29
It’s been years since the Patriots made it to the AFC Championship Game without Tom Brady.
Issue 133
The first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Jarrett Stidham, was selected by the Patriots. He will face the Patriots next Sunday for a trip to the Super Bowl.
5.5 points
According to BetMGM , the Patriots are the favorite heading into AFC Championship Week. That makes the Broncos the biggest home underdog in the Western Conference title race since 1970.
13
Drake Maye last played for the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game against the Broncos in Denver on January 24, 2016. That day, Tom Brady and New England trailed 20-18.
0-4
Patriots all-time playoff record against Broncos in Denver.