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Patriots in the AFC Championship
The Patriots have played in 12 AFC Championship games in team history. Here's a look back at their eight wins in those games, which earned them a coveted Super Bowl berth.
Jan. 12, 1986. Patriots 31, Dolphins 14.The Patriots became the first team in NFL history to win three straight road playoff games in a single season when they upset the Dolphins at the Orange Bowl. Tony Eason threw three TD passes and Craig James rushed for 104 yards.
Jan. 12, 1997. Patriots 20, Jaguars 6.The Patriots defense forced four turnovers, including a 47-yard fumble returned for a touchdown by Otis Smith midway through the fourth quarter. Tedy Bruschi and Willy Clay intercepted Jacksonville QB Mark Brunell, as New England celebrated its first conference championship win at home.
Jan. 27, 2002. Patriots 24, Steelers 17.The Patriots scored on offense and twice on special teams to upend the Steelers at Heinz Field. Troy Brown had a 55-yard punt return for a TD, Drew Bledsoe (subbing for an injured Tom Brady) fired an 11-yard TD pass to David Patten, and Antwan Harris returned a blocked field goal 49 yards for a score.
Jan. 18, 2004. Patriots 24, Colts 14.Adam Vinatieri kicked five short-range field goals (all inside the 35-yard line), and the Patriots intercepted Peyton Manning four times. Ty Law had three of those picks, while Jarvis Green recorded 2.5 sacks.
Jan. 23, 2005. Patriots 41, Steelers 27.Tom Brady's 60-yard TD pass to Deion Branch and Rodney Harrison's 87-yard interception for a touchdown helped New England jump out to a big lead that they wouldn't relinquish, as they knocked off 16-1 Pittsburgh. Eugene Wilson added two picks of Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger.
Jan. 20, 2008. Patriots 21, Chargers 12.New England stretched its two-point second-half lead to nine when Tom Brady hooked up with Wes Welker for a nine-yard TD early in the fourth quarter to help seal the win. Lawrence Maroney ran 25 times for 122 yards and a score.
Jan. 22, 2012. Patriots 23, Ravens 20.Two plays after Patriots cornerback Sterling Moore knocked the ball out of the hands of Lee Evans in the end zone, Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff missed a 32-yard field goal, allowing the Patriots to escape with a narrow victory. Tom Brady's one-yard sneak for a TD proved to be the winning margin.
Jan. 18, 2015. Patriots 45, Colts 7.The Patriots had two much firepower on both sides of the ball. LeGarrette Blount (30 carries, 148 yards, three TDs) and Tom Brady (3 TDs) led the offensive attack and Jamie Collins and Darrelle Revis bolstered the defense by picking off Colts QB Andrew Luck. Tackle-eligible Nate Solder caught the first TD pass of his career.
