:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62783033/usa_today_11917693.0.jpg)
There has been a lot of buzz, probably more so a few weeks ago rather than now, about the New England Patriots struggling to not only come out of the AFC but to even make it to the conference’s title game.
However, with the Patriots conquering a first-round playoff bye as the number two seed, the only road game they will have to play would be against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game — something people seem to be very worried about.
I’m here to tell you why you shouldn’t be too worried about anyone in the Patriots way in the AFC, though: Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is a combined 42-12 against the other five playoff teams inside the conference. When we break it down further, his win-loss records look as follows:
vs #1 Kansas City Chiefs: 6-3
vs #3 Houston Texans: 9-1
vs #4 Baltimore Ravens: 8-3
vs #5 Los Angeles Chargers: 8-2
vs #6 Indianapolis Colts: 11-3
Of course, if they had to go into Arrowhead it would be a major task considering that the Patriots finished 3-5 on the road this year, and Kansas City is one of the toughest places to play. That being said, Andy Reid is 19-18 in the playoffs in his career and likely league MVP Patrick Mahomes hasn’t ever taken a snap in the postseason, so don’t be shocked if the AFC still runs through Foxboro even as the number two seed.
As long as Tom Brady is under center, the numbers show that you shouldn’t be too worried about anyone in the AFC.