Fun facts
Patriots have missed the playoffs once under tom brady, back in 2002. They have lost their first game twice - once in the wildcard round and once in the division.
They started undefeated in 2001, 2003, 2004 and won their first playoff game in 2005 and 2006 before losing the next week. They famously went 2-1 in 2007, brady was hurt in 2008, and they lost their first games in 2009 and 2010. That's an incredibly impressive 14-5 record from 2001 to 2010, going to the afc championship game 5 times and the superbowl 4, winning 3 of them.
From 2011 until now? They're 14-5 again, have gone to the afc championship game 8 straight times, have gone to 4 superbowls and won 2, and will be playing for the chance to go to another.
Brady now has 14 playoff wins in each decade. That's insane. But to see how amazing it really is, let's put it in context with how piers.
First let's look at Roethlisberger, the most successful of his contemporaries in the postseason.
The Steelers under Roethlisberger - another certain Hall of Famer - have been to 5 afc championships, won 3 and are 2-1 in the superbowl. Brady has been to more afc championship games, more superbowls and won more superbowls in each decade. He's 13-8 in the playoffs. Brady is 14-5 in each decade.
Peyton Manning finished with a postseason record of 14-13. Manning won 2 superbowls and went to 4. Brady went to 4 superbowls in each decade and won at least 2 in each decade. Which is impressive in its own right. But brady currently has 10 playoff losses. Meaning that he's almost certainly going to retire with twice as many wins and fewer losses than manning.
Now let's look at the next best guys
The saints under drew brees - a first ballot Hall of Famer and likely the all time leader for passing yards and touchdowns - are going to the nfccg for the third time in the hopes of going to their second superbowl. He's now 8-6 in the playoffs.
The giants under eli manning have beaten the Patriots in the superbowl twice. Those are the only two superbowls they've been to, the only nfccgs, and the only playoff wins. The other 4 times eli went to the playoffs they went 1 and done. They're 8-4 in the playoffs.
The packers under Rodgers have been to 4 nfc championship games and won 1, going on to win the superbowl. He's 10-7 in the post season.
Think about that for a minute. Not only is brady better in either decade than any contemporary, which is incredible in and of itself, but
Brees, eli and Rodgers are a combined 26-17 in the playoffs.
Roethlisberger and peyton are a combined 27-21.
Brady is 28-10.
He's got more playoff wins than the next two guys combined, or the next 3 after that, and his 28-10 postseason record compares very favorably to their combined 53-38.
And he's now 3,923 yards and 22 touchdowns away from passing peyton manning for most career yards and touchdowns.