1985 AFC Championship Game
The world was expecting a rematch of the Bears and Dolphins from the regular season in Super Bowl XX, but the Patriots humiliated the hosts, 31-14, to take their first AFC crown. (AP Photo)

1996 AFC Championship Game
The Patriots played host to the Jaguars who upset the Broncos in the previous round, but Curtis Martin's early touchdown was enough for New England to advance to Super Bowl XXI. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

2001 AFC Divisional Playoff Game
Everybody remembers the "tuck rule," but Adam Vinatieri had to make two big-time kicks in the snow for the Patriots to win in overtime over the Raiders. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Super Bowl XXXVI
Some consider this the biggest upset in NFL history as Adam Vinatieri's 48-yard field goal lifted the Patriots over St. Louis for the team's first Super Bowl win. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

2001 AFC Championship Game
Tom Brady was knocked out of the game, so it was up to Drew Bledsoe and Troy Brown -- who returned a punt 55-yards for a touchdown -- to lead the Patriots to the Super Bowl XXXVI. (AP Photo/Chris Gardner)

2003 AFC Championship Game
Ty Law intercepted Peyton Manning three times as the Patriots rolled 24-14 to advance to Super Bowl XXXVIII. (AP Photo/David Drapkin)

Super Bowl XXXVIII
The Patriots were nearly upset in nearly the same vein as they won their first title. But Adam Vinatieri kicked a 41-yard field goal as time expired for the win. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

2004 AFC Divisional Playoff Game
Tom Brady passed for a score and ran for another as the Patriots once again overwhelmed Peyton Manning in the playoffs. (AP Photo/ Charles Krupa)

2004 AFC Championship Game
The Patriots went into Heinz Field and handed the 15-1 Steelers a shameful defeat which wasn't as close as the 41-27 score would indicate. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)

Super Bowl XXXIX
The Patriots were nearly flawless as Tom Brady threw two touchdown passes and the defense intercepted Donovan McNabb three times as New England won its third Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Patriots go 16-0
Tom Brady and Randy Moss set single-season individual marks for touchdown passes and receptions respectively as the Patriots became the first team in NFL history to go 16-0 during the regular season. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)