Discounting 2000 and 2008 for obvious reasons, he's been in the league for 16 seasons. In those 16 seasons, he's been in the AFCCG 12 times. 75% of Tom Brady's seasons, he's played in the Conference Championship Game.
Think about that.
Here's how he's done, by year (2001 means the game was played in 2002, etc.)...
2001, at Pit (W, 24-17): 12-18, 115 yds, 0 td, 0 int, 84.3 rating
2003, vs Ind (W, 24-14): 22-37, 237 yds, 1 td, 1 int, 76.1 rating
2004, at Pit (W, 41-27): 14-21, 207 yds, 2 td, 0 int, 130.5 rating
2006, at Ind (L, 38-34): 21-34, 232 yds, 1 td, 1 int, 79.5 rating
2007, vs SD (W, 21-12): 22-33, 209 yds, 2 td, 3 int, 66.4 rating
2011, vs Bal (W, 23-20): 22-36, 239 yds, 0 td, 2 int, 57.5 rating
2012, vs Bal (L, 28-13): 29-54, 320 yds, 1 td, 2 int, 62.3 rating
2013, at Den (L, 26-16): 24-38, 277 yds, 1 td, 0 int, 93.9 rating
2014, vs Ind (W, 45-7): 23-35, 226 yds, 3 td, 1 int, 100.4 rating
2015, at Den (L, 20-18): 27-56, 310 yds, 1 td, 2 int, 56.4 rating
2016, vs Pit (W, 36-17): 32-42, 384 yds, 3 td, 0 int, 127.5 rating
So in 11 games so far, he's gone 7-4. In those games:
- The Pats have averaged 26.8 points.
- Brady has averaged 22.5 completions in 36.7 attempts (61.3%) for 250.5 yards.
- Brady has thrown 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
- Brady has an 81.9 rating.
Long story short: Brady hasn't been terrific in AFCCGs. Three of his last four he's had a really good rating, but on the whole, the AFCCG hasn't seen his best work. Given that they play a terrific pass defense on Sunday, it wouldn't surprise me if he struggled, even if the Patriots win.
Think about that.
Here's how he's done, by year (2001 means the game was played in 2002, etc.)...
2001, at Pit (W, 24-17): 12-18, 115 yds, 0 td, 0 int, 84.3 rating
2003, vs Ind (W, 24-14): 22-37, 237 yds, 1 td, 1 int, 76.1 rating
2004, at Pit (W, 41-27): 14-21, 207 yds, 2 td, 0 int, 130.5 rating
2006, at Ind (L, 38-34): 21-34, 232 yds, 1 td, 1 int, 79.5 rating
2007, vs SD (W, 21-12): 22-33, 209 yds, 2 td, 3 int, 66.4 rating
2011, vs Bal (W, 23-20): 22-36, 239 yds, 0 td, 2 int, 57.5 rating
2012, vs Bal (L, 28-13): 29-54, 320 yds, 1 td, 2 int, 62.3 rating
2013, at Den (L, 26-16): 24-38, 277 yds, 1 td, 0 int, 93.9 rating
2014, vs Ind (W, 45-7): 23-35, 226 yds, 3 td, 1 int, 100.4 rating
2015, at Den (L, 20-18): 27-56, 310 yds, 1 td, 2 int, 56.4 rating
2016, vs Pit (W, 36-17): 32-42, 384 yds, 3 td, 0 int, 127.5 rating
So in 11 games so far, he's gone 7-4. In those games:
- The Pats have averaged 26.8 points.
- Brady has averaged 22.5 completions in 36.7 attempts (61.3%) for 250.5 yards.
- Brady has thrown 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
- Brady has an 81.9 rating.
Long story short: Brady hasn't been terrific in AFCCGs. Three of his last four he's had a really good rating, but on the whole, the AFCCG hasn't seen his best work. Given that they play a terrific pass defense on Sunday, it wouldn't surprise me if he struggled, even if the Patriots win.