6 incredible numbers the Patriots hit on Saturday
It wasn't just a win for the New England Patriots in Saturday's Divisional Playoffs over the Tennessee Titans, it was one filled with some incredible numbers.
Here are six of the more noteworthy achievements by the club during an easy 35-14 victory that sees them through to the AFC Championship Game.
7
If it feels like the Patriots have dominated the AFC forever, it's because they have. Saturday's win pushed the Patriots to their seventh consecutive conference championship game. The last time New England didn't make the AFC title game was 2010 when it fell in the divisional round to the Mark Sanchez-led New York Jets.
12
It's been seven straight AFC title games for the Patriots but perhaps more impressively, New England has made the conference championship game 12 times since 2001. That means the team has failed to make the AFC championship game just four times in Brady's career as starter.
10
When Brady found Rob Gronkowski in the end zone in the fourth quarter, it put the Patriots up 35-7 and in the process made more history for the veteran quarterback. Gronkowski's score was Brady's third touchdown pass of the night, meaning the play-caller moved ahead of Joe Montana and is first all time with 10 playoff games of three touchdown passes or more.
554
With his three touchdowns against the Titans, Brady moved into second place all time for combined touchdown passes in the playoffs and regular season with 554 total. The 40-year-old came in trailing Brett Favre by one scoring throw but passed the legend with the explosive second quarter of play. Brady now sets his sights on Peyton Manning's total of 579 for first place on the list.
10
The number 10 makes another appearance as the Patriots are now 10-0 in Saturday night playoff games during the Belichick-Brady era.
40
Brady isn't the only 40-year-old to win an NFL playoff game, but he is now the oldest quarterback in history to do so with Saturday's win. Favre was the previous record-holder at 40 years, 99 days, but with Brady's 41st birthday coming in 202 days, he easily passes that number.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)