The New England Patriots are going back to the Super Bowl. Thanks to beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-17 in today’s AFC Championship Game, the Patriots have punched yet another ticket to play on the sport’s biggest stage and have a chance to earn the franchise’s fifth world championship.
Overall, the team’s Super Bowl LI appearance marks the ninth time the Patriots have been able to reach the NFL’s title game. And this, in turn, marks a new all-time record as New England breaks a four-way tie for most Super Bowl berths by a franchise:
New England Patriots: 9
Dallas Cowboys: 8
Denver Broncos: 8
Pittsburgh Steelers: 8
Of course, seven of the Patriots’ nine Super Bowl appearances have come with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick leading the team. Since Robert Kraft purchased the franchise in 1994, the Patriots have played in eight world championship games.
For comparison, the Atlanta Falcons, the Patriots opponent in Super Bowl LI, have reached their second Super Bowl.