After a disappointing 2-2 start to the season, New England’s streak of nine of 10 AFC East crowns and three consecutive trips to the AFC Championship appeared to be in serious jeopardy. Tom Brady, at 37 years old, was playing the worst football of his career, culminating in an embarrassing Monday Night Football road loss to Kansas City. And yet, as Bill Belichick’s teams seem to do on an annual basis, they adapted. Now the AFC’s top overall seed, the Patriots enter the Super Bowl in fifth gear, amid equal parts success and controversy (see above and below videos). Brady holds an impressive slate of playoff records, including most wins (20), touchdown passes (49) and yards passing (7,017).
Let’s take a look at the three most vital elements for success.
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