TEAM NOTES
- Patriots advance to eighth straight conference championship game
- Patriots extend record by advancing in the postseason for the eighth straight season
- Patriots win 16th Divisional Playoff Game to tie for the most in NFL history
- Patriots set mark for most wins in a decade
- Edelman moves into second for most postseason receptions and 7th for yards
- White ties mark for most postseason receptions in a game
PATRIOTS EXTEND RECORD TO EIGHT STRAIGHT AFC TITLE GAMES
The Patriots have advanced to the AFC Championship Game for the eighth straight season, extending their NFL record for most consecutive conference championship game appearances.
PATRIOTS ADVANCE TO 15TH AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME OVERALL
The Patriots advance to their 15th AFC Championship Game, tied with San Francisco for the second most in NFL history. The Patriots are 10-4 in AFC Championship Games.
MOST APPEARANCES IN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Pittsburgh 16
New England 15
San Francisco 15
Dallas 14
Oakland 11
Denver 10
Los Angeles Rams 10
Minnesota Vikings 9
KRAFT EARNS 31ST POSTSEASON WIN
Robert Kraft earned his 31st postseason victory. He is third among ownership groups with his 31 postseason wins. Kraft earned his 31 wins since 1994. Pittsburgh (36) and Green Bay (34) are the only teams ahead of Kraft. The Rooney Family founded the Steelers in 1933 while the Green Bay Packers were founded in 1919.
PLAYOFF VICTORIES ALL TIME
Rooney Family, Pittsburgh (1933-present) 36
Green Bay Packers (1919-present) 34
Robert Kraft, New England Patriots (1994-present) 31
MOST CONSECUTIVE SEASONS, PARTICIPATING IN A POSTSEASON GAME
The Patriots have played at least one postseason game in 10 straight seasons, the most consecutive seasons participating in a postseason game.
PATRIOTS HOST A DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF GAME FOR 9TH STRAIGHT SEASON
The Patriots added to their NFL record by hosting a Divisional Playoff game for the ninth straight season (2010-2018). Miami is next with five straight home Divisional Playoff games (1981-1985). Overall, the nine straight divisional playoff games played in are the most in NFL history. Dallas (1975-82) and Pittsburgh (1972-79) both played in eight straight divisional playoff games.
PATRIOTS WIN DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF GAME FOR 16TH TIME
With the win, the Patriots earned their 16th Divisional Playoff game victory, tying Pittsburgh for the most divisional playoff wins in NFL history.
PATRIOTS MOVE UP ON ALL-TIME PLAYOFF WINS
The Patriots won their 35th playoff game and need one more win to tie Pittsburgh for the most postseason wins in NFL history.
PATRIOTS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO JOIN BUFFALO AND MIAMI IN EXCLUSIVE GROUP
The Patriots will have a chance to join Buffalo (4) and Miami (3) as the only NFL teams to reach three straight Super Bowls after advancing to the AFC Championship Game.
PATRIOTS SET MARK FOR MOST WINS IN A DECADE
The Patriots now have 113 regular-season wins and 14 postseason wins so far in this decade (2010-present) for 127 total wins to set the record for wins in a decade, besting the Patriots mark of 126 set from 2000 through 2009.
PATRIOTS EXTEND RECORD FOR MOST CONSECUTIVE SEASONS WITH A POSTSEASON WIN
The Patriots extended their NFL record to eight straight seasons with at least one postseason win.
PATRIOTS MATCH NFL MARK FOR MOST POSTSEASON WINS IN A DECADE
The Patriots have now won 14 playoff games in the decade from 2010 to the present. That total matches the NFL record for most postseason wins in a decade with the Patriots (2000s), Dallas (1970s) and Pittsburgh (1970s). The Patriots are the only team reach that total two times.
PATRIOTS SCORE 35 FIRST HALF POINTS
The Patriots 35 first-half points matched the 35 first-half points scored in a 45-10 win vs. Denver in a 2011 AFC Divisional Playoff game on Jan. 14, 2012.
Most First Half Points in an NFL Postseason Game
Jacksonville vs. Miami, Jan. 15, 2000 – 41 points
New England vs. LA Chargers, Jan. 13, 2019 – 35 points
New England vs. Denver, Jan. 14, 2012 – 35 points
New Orleans vs. Arizona, Jan. 16, 200 – 35 points
PATRIOTS GO OVER 40 POINTS IN A POSTSEASON GAME FOR SIXTH TIME
The Patriots scored 40 or more points in a postseason game for the sixth time.
Patriots 40-Point Games in the Postseason
Jan. 13, 2019 – Divisional vs. LA Chargers – 41-28
Jan, 23, 2015 – AFC Championship at Pittsburgh – 41-27
Jan 14, 2012 – Divisional vs. Denver – 45-10
Jan. 13, 2013 – Divisional vs. Houston – 41-28
Jan. 11, 2014 – Divisional vs. Indianapolis -43-22
Jan. 18, 2015 – AFC Championship vs. Indianapolis 45-7
PATRIOTS DEFENSE HOLDS CHARGERS TO JUST 19 YARDS RUSHING
The Patriots defense held the Chargers to just 19 yards rushing; the lowest postseason mark since the 1963 Patriots held Buffalo to 7 yards in a playoff game on Dec. 28 at Buffalo.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
BELICHICK WILL COACH IN HIS 13TH CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Bill Belichick will coach in his 13th conference championship game as head coach, the most in NFL history.
BELICHICK COACHED IN HIS 16th DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF GAME; MOST BY A HEAD COACH
Bill Belichick coached in his 16th Divisional Playoff Game.
Most Divisional Playoff Games by a Head Coach in NFL History
16 Bill Belichick
14 Don Shula
13 Tom Landry
TOM BRADY PLAYS IN 15th DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF GAME;
THE MOST DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF GAMES IN NFL HISTORY
Tom Brady played in his 15th Divisional Playoff Game, the most Divisional Playoff Game appearances.
Most Divisional Playoff Games Played
15 Tom Brady
13 Jerry Rice, San Francisco, Oakland
BRADY REACHES RECORD 13TH CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Tom Brady has reached his 13th AFC Championship Game, the most in NFL history. Gene Upshaw and George Blanda are second with 10 appearances in a conference title game. In 17 full seasons as the Patriots starting quarterback (omitting the 2008 season in which Brady started only one game due to injury), Brady has led the Patriots to 13 AFC Championship Games.
BRADY SETS NFL POSTSEASON MARK FOR MOST PASSES WITHOUT AN INTERCEPTION
Brady threw 44 passes with no interceptions and now has an NFL record of 228 consecutive postseason passes without an interception.
Most Consecutive Postseason Passes without an Interception
228 Tom Brady 2017-present
226 Drew Brees 2007-2012
197 Joe Flacco 2012-2015
BRADY EXTENDS MARK WITH 13 STRAIGHT POSTSEASON GAMES WITH A TD PASS
QB Tom Brady extended his streak to 13 straight postseason games with at least one touchdown pass, to tie Peyton Manning and Dan Marino for the fourth longest streak, behind the 20 by Brett Favre , 18 by Brady (2001-11) and 14 by Brees.
BRADY HAS 15TH CAREER 300-YARD PASSING GAME IN THE PLAYOFFS;
Tom Brady threw for 343 yards to extend his NFL record with 15 career 300-yard games in the postseason.
BRADY NEARING THE TOP FOR MOST WINS AMONG ALL NFL PLAYERS
Tom Brady has the most wins by an NFL quarterback with 235 overall career wins. His 235 wins are the second-most wins all-time by an NFL player, behind the 236 wins by Adam Vinatieri.
WINNINGEST COACH AND QB TANDEM IN THE POSTSEASON
Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are the winningest coach and quarterback tandem in the postseason. Belichick and Brady have the most Super Bowl appearances (8) and Super Bowl wins (5). Their five championships match the combination of Vince Lombardi and Bart Starr, who also won five championships (two Super Bowls and three NFL Championships).
JULIAN EDELMAN SETS PATRIOTS MARK WITH HIS FIFTH 100-YAR GAME;
SETS POSTSEASON CAREER-HIGH AND MATCHES REGULAR SEASON HIGH
WR Julian Edelman had his fifth NFL 100-yards receiving game after finishing with 151 yards. His 151 yards are a postseason career high and match the 151 yards he had in a regular season game. Edelman had 151 yards at Miami on Jan. 1, 2017. His previous high in the postseason was 137 yards vs. Houston in a Divisional game on Jan. 14, 2017. Only Jerry Rice (8) and Michael Irvin (6) have more postseason 100-yard games than Edelman.
Most 100-Yard Games in NFL History
8 Jerry Rice – 29 postseason games
6 Michael Irvin – 16 postseason games
5 Julian Edelman 16 postseason games
5 John Stallworth, 18 postseason games
5 Andre Reed – 21 postseason games
5 Hines Ward 18 postseason games
5 Larry Fitzgerald 9 postseason games
5 Antonio Brown – 10 postseason games
EDELMAN HAS THE SECOND-MOST POSTSEASON RECEPTIONS
Edelman had 9 receptions to push his postseason total to 98. He moved past Reggie Wayne (93) and is second all-time with 98, behind the 151 postseason receptions by Jerry Rice.
EDELMAN MOVES INTO TOP 10 ON POSTSEASON RECEIVING YARD LIST
Edelman added 151 yards receiving and moved into 7th place all-time for most postseason receiving yards with 1,175 yards.
GOSTKOWSKI HAS NOW SCORED IN 26 STRAIGHT POSTSEASON GAMES
K Stephen Gostkowski has now kicked at least one point in 26 straight postseason games, second all-time in NFL postseason history.
WHITE TIES NFL RECORD FOR MOST POSTSEASON RECEPTIONS IN A GAME
RB James White finished with 15 receptions for 97 yards. His 15 receptions are a Patriots record in the postseason and tie Darren Sproles for the most receptions in a postseason game in NFL history. White is the only NFL player to have two games with at least 14 receptions in a postseason game. White had a Super Bowl record with 14 receptions vs. Atlanta in Super Bowl LI.
Most Receptions in an NFL Postseason Game
15 James White, New England vs. LA Chargers, 2018
15 Darren Sproles, New Orleans vs. San Francisco, 2011
14 James White, New England vs. Atlanta, 2016
13 Kellen Winslow, San Diego, vs. Miami, 1981
13 Thurman Thomas, Buffalo vs. Cleveland, 1989
13 Shannon Sharpe, Denver vs. LA Raiders, 1993
13 Chad Morton, New Orleans vs. Minnesota, 2000
13 T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis vs. Kansas City, 2013
13 Demaryius Thomas, Denver vs. Seattle, 2013.
GOSTKOWSKI PLAYS IN 26TH POSTSEASON GAME
K Stephen Gostkowski played in his 26th postseason game Only Tom Brady (38), Adam Vinatieri (32), Jerry Rice (29), D.D. Lewis (27) and Peyton Manning (27) have played in more postseason games.
ROOKIE RB SONY MICHEL GOES OVER 100 YARDS
Rookie RB Sony Michel went over 100 yards rushing and became the Patriots first rookie to have a 100-yard postseason game after finishing with 129 yards. He had four 100-yard games during the regular season.
Patriots 100-Yard Games in the Postseason
166 LeGarrette Blount, vs. Indianapolis, Jan. 11, 2014
166 Curtis Martin, vs. Pittsburgh, Jan. 5, 1997
148 LeGarrette Blount, vs. Indianapolis, Jan. 18, 2015
144 Corey Dillon, vs. Indianapolis, Jan. 16, 2005
129 Sony Michel, vs. LA Chargers, Jan. 13, 2019
122 Laurence Maroney, vs. Jacksonville, Jan. 12, 2008
122 Laurence Maroney, vs. San Diego, Jan. 20, 2008
105 Craig James, at Miami, Jan. 12, 1989
104 Craig James, at LA Raiders, Jan. 5, 1986
100 Antowain Smith, vs. Indianapolis, Jan. 18, 2004
ROOKIE SONY MICHEL SCORES THREE FIRST HALF TOUCHDOWNS
Rookie RB Sony Michel scored three touchdowns on a 1-yard run and a 14-yard run in the first quarter and a 5-yard run in the second quarter. He is the first Patriots rookie to register multiple touchdowns in a postseason game. Michel is just the second rookie running back to score a postseason touchdown, joining Robert Edwards, who had a rushing touchdown in a 1998 wild card game at Jacksonville.
Most Rushing Touchdowns in a Patriots Postseason Game
4 LeGarrette Blount, vs. Indianapolis, Jan. 11, 2014
3 Sony Michel, vs. LA Chargers, Jan. 13, 2019
3 LeGarrette Blount, vs. Indianapolis, Jan. 18, 2015
3 Curtis Martin, vs. Pittsburgh, Jan. 5, 1997
MICHEL HAD A CAREER-LONG 40-YARD RUN IN THE SECOND QUARTER
Michel had a career-long 40-yard run in the second quarter. He had a 34-yard touchdown run vs. Indianapolis on Oct. 4 in the regular season. It is also the longest run of the season for the Patriots.
WR PHILLIP DORSETT HAS FIRST POSTSEASON TOUCHDOWN
WR Phillip Dorsett caught a 15-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, his first NFL postseason touchdown.
RB REX BURKHEAD SCORES FIRST POSTSEASON TOUCHDOWN
RB Rex Burkhead scored his first career postseason touchdown on a 6-yard run in the second quarter.
LINEUP NOTES
NEW TO THE POSTSEASON
Seven Patriots players made their NFL postseason debuts - OL Trent Brown, DB Keion Crossen, DB J.C. Jackson, DB Jason McCourty, RB Sony Michel, DE Derek Rivers and DL Danny Shelton all played in their first NFL postseason game.
PATTERSON RETURNS
WR Cordarrelle Patterson returned to action after missing the 2018 regular season finale against the New York Jets.
