The New England Patriots are headed to their 8th straight AFC Championship game.
With the New England Patriots going to their 13th AFC title game in the Tom Brady – Bill Belichick era this Sunday in Kansas City, there have been memorable moments that have kept this dynasty going for over 18 years.
Standing in the way of a fourth Super Bowl appearance in 5 years are Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and the high-powered Kansas City Chiefs. This game will be a rematch of the Patriots 43-40 Sunday Night victory earlier this season Week 6 in Foxborough.
Both offenses are high-flying, and we can expect a very intense back and forth game between the up and coming young quarterback in Mahomes and the man we all know as the GOAT, the ageless wonder Mr. Tom Brady.
There have been games that result in celebration, and there have been games that result in disappointments. The Patriots record in AFC Championship games are 8-4 since the turn of the century. Let’s hope they can make that 9-4 come Sunday.
We take a look back at the top 5 moments in the AFC Championship games for the New England Patriots.
5. Troy Brown punt return – Pittsburgh Steelers (2001)
Late in January, the 2 seeded New England Patriots traveled to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers with a Super Bowl berth on the line. The Patriots were huge underdogs, looking to upset.
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After the first Patriots drive resulted in a punted ball to Pittsburgh, the Steelers also were forced to punt. Troy Brown received the punt, avoided a few tackles, and took it to the house; giving the Patriots a very early 7-0 lead and all the momentum.
The Patriots grabbed the early lead and never looked back. The Steelers were able to claw themselves back into the game in the 3rd quarter with 2 quick scores, bringing them down 4 points entering the final frame of the game.
The New England Patriots controlled the ball for most of the fourth quarter after Adam Vinatieri drilled an early 44 yard field goal, giving New England a 24-17 lead. The score would hold, sending the Patriots to Super Bowl XXXVI to take on the “Greatest Show on Turf” in the St. Louis Rams. The rest is history, as the Patriots were able to pull off the upset, which ultimately jump started the dynasty.
4. LeGarrette Blount performance – Indianapolis Colts (2014)
The game that started the deflate gate woes. The Patriots absolutely dominated the Indianapolis Colts in this one, winning easily 45-7.
On the Patriots second drive of the game, LeGarrette Blount ran in for a 1 yard touchdown after the trio of Brady, Edelman, and Blount drove them down the field.
The Colts would score their only points of the day after a Brady interception deep in Indianapolis territory. Andrew Luck drove them 93 yards downfield en route to a TD pass to Zurlon Tipton.
The Patriots would score 4 touch downs in the second half. LeGarrette Blount piled up 80 yards and 2 TD after halftime to give him 148 rushing yards and 3 scores. This game was over from the jump, as the Patriots rolled over the Colts with ease.
3. Rodney Harrison interception – Pittsburgh Steelers (2004)
The New England Patriots traveled to Pittsburgh to visit the 15-1 Steelers, led by rookie quarterback Ben Roethisberger. This was the last time the Patriots won an AFC title game on the road, winning 41-27.
Late in the second quarter, down 17-3, the Steelers were driving and looking to score before halftime. Big Ben passed to the right, intended for Jermane Tuman. Rodney Harrison jumped the route and took the ball to the end zone, giving the New England a 24-3 lead and swinging momentum in the Patriots’ favor.
The Steelers got 24 points on the board in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to match the Patriots. New England advanced to Super Bowl XXXIX and beat the Eagles to win their third championship in 4 years.
2. Billy Cundiff missed kick – Baltimore Ravens (2011)
This game was a dogfight, a back and forth physical, low scoring game.
Late in the third quarter, the Ravens were down 16-10. Joe Flacco took over at his own 22 yard line. The Baltimore offense put together an 11 play, 83 yard drive to give Baltimore a 17-16 lead. Flacco was 4-6 with 57 yards and capped it off with a 29 yard strike to Torrey Smith.
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The New England Patriots would then fumble the ensuing kickoff and give Baltimore the ball at the 28 yard line.
The New England defense would stand tall, only giving up a field goal, making it 20-16 as the third quarter ended. Brady and the Patriots needed an answer, and they got just that. New England marched down the field on an 11 play, 64 yard drive that was capped off by a 1 yard rushing TD by Brady.
The Patriots were leading 23-20 with 11:29 left in the game.
After trading interceptions on the next two drives, the Ravens forced the Patriots to punt with 1:53 remaining in the game. Flacco and the Ravens drove down the field and had 1st & 10 at the Patriots’ 23 yard line.
Flacco took 3 shots to the end zone and was forced to give the ball to his kicker, in hopes of tying the game and moving into overtime. Billy Cundiff would then shank the ball wide left, missing the field goal and sending the Patriots to the Super Bowl.
1. Danny Amendola TD – Jacksonville Jaguars (2017)
The most recent AFC title game and fifth in Foxborough since 2011. The Jaguars defense was an elite defense all season, and their offense was led by rookie running back Leonard Fournette. Heading into this game, Tom Brady was also dealing with a small cut on his throwing hand.
A Jacksonville field goal put them up 20-10 with the fourth quarter underway. The Patriots were starting a small drive, but it ended abruptly, as Danny Amendola threw a pass to Dion Lewis for a 20 yard gain who then fumbled and turned the ball over to the Jaguars at their own 33 yard line. Thankfully, the Patriots defense forced a quick three and out, giving the ball back to Tom Brady.
Tom Brady was able to put together a quick, 85 yard drive capped off by a touch down pass to Danny Amendola, taking only 3:19 off the clock.
The Patriots were still down 20-17 with little time left. New England would then get the ball back a few drives later, with just under 5 minutes remaining. Brady was on a mission. The veteran quarterback marched his team down field, and they found themselves with 1st & goal at the Jaguars 5 yard line. After a James White carry was good for 1 yard, the Patriots looked to throw.
Brady dropped back for what seemed like forever, scanning the defense. He found his man in the back of the end zone and fired a strike to Danny Amendola, who tapped his toes on the turf as he fell out-of-bounds.
The New England Patriots gained a 24-20 lead with 2:48 left in the game and never looked back. Brady went 5/7 for 56 yards and 2 TD in the final quarter when throwing to Amendola , and sending New England to Super Bowl LII in the process.
Sunday’s matchup has the potential to set up even more memorable AFC Championship game moments. This game is going to be intense and have everyone on the edge of their seats. Go Pats.