Zolak’s Top 5 list of memorable Patriots AFC Championship Games
It is championship weekend in the NFL as the Ravens will host the Chiefs in the AFC and the 49ers welcome the Lions to San Francisco on the NFC side. And while it was only 2018, it feels like a million years since the Patriots were in the AFC Championship Game. The Patriots have appeared in 15 conference championship games in franchise history while amassing a record of 11-4. Our own Scott Zolak has been a part of many of them as either a play or broadcaster. In Friday’s edition of “ZOverdrive” on Zolak & Bertrand, Zo recounted some of his favorites throughout his time around the Pats. With that, Zo presents his own personal top-five list of favorite AFC Championship games in the last 30 years.
5. 2011 – Patriots 23, Ravens 20
Zo was the sideline analyst in this game as the Patriots defeated the Ravens before ultimately falling to the Giants in the Super Bowl, but we will always remember this as the Billy Cundiff “he hooked it!” game.
4. 2016 – Patriots 36, Steelers 17
Tom Brady was vintage Brady in this game, passing for 384 yards and three touchdowns passes, including two to Chris Hogan. This playoff run became even more memorable two weeks later when the Patriots completed the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history to take down the Atlanta Falcons after being down 28-3.
3. 2005 – Patriots 41, Steelers 27
In what would later be known as the Brady “flu game”, the Patriots put Ben Roethlisberger and the rival Steelers in their place. This one was capped by a memorable Brady-to-Branch touchdown pass. The Patriots would go on to beat the Eagles in the Super Bowl.
2. 1996 – Patriots 20, Jaguars 6
The only championship game that Zo was a part of as a player, the Patriots defense smothered Mark Brunell and the Jaguars. The Patriots would go on to lose to Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl two weeks later.
1. 2018 – Patriots 37, Chiefs 31 (OT)
Tom Brady’s last AFC Championship Game was also his most memorable in Zo’s eyes. This battle between Brady and Mahomes was decided in overtime on a Rex Burkhead touchdown that capped off a classic TB12 drive. This run would end with their sixth championship against the Rams two weeks later.
LISTEN: Scott Zolak reveals his Top 5 favorite AFC Championship Games
Greg Bedard: 3 Up and 3 Down following NFL Divisional weekend
3 UP
Patrick Mahomes
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 07: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs off the field after the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on January 07, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: He just about played a perfect game. I mean, he’s ridiculous at this point. And to watch what they’re doing with this version of the Chiefs, it reminds me very much of the Patriots, especially their last Super Bowl run. The quarterback, the team, they’re just so mentally tough. It’s unbelievable.
Aidan Hutchinson
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 19: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions leaves the field after a game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on November 19, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: I thought he was outstanding. Eight quarterback pressures, a sack, two hits, five hurries in the game. I was a little bit leery of him being the number two overall pick, but I think he’s been outstanding for that team. T.
San Francisco 49ers Linebackers
October 11, 2020; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Fred Warner (54) during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Bedard: The 49ers linebackers, Dre Greenlaw and Fred Warner. They’re absurd. They’re so fast sideline to sideline and so physical. It takes a toll as the game goes on. I thought they were outstanding.
3 DOWN
Sean McDermott
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 01: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots (L) and head coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills shake hands following the Bills win at Gillette Stadium on December 01, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: From his defense he got outfoxed by the Chiefs. The Chiefs went to three tight ends, now I understand the Bills have personnel issues, they have a lot of injuries and they’ve got A.J. Klein off the couch playing linebacker, but to me the Chiefs on both sides of the ball, whether it was Spagnuolo on defense or Reoid on offense, I thought they completely owned the Bills in the second half. The panic fake punt call, what he’s done with the offense, the firing of the offensive coordinator, like all that stuff, I just don’t think McDermott’s good enough for Buffalo.
Ed Oliver
MIAMI, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 17: Ed Oliver #91 of the Buffalo Bills reacts after a sack against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: Ed Oliver, the Bills defensive tackle who they gave a contract extension and are paying $17 million annually now,and the Bills got completely owned up front and Oliver you didn’t hear from him the whole game. Like if he doesn’t impact the game, if he’s not thier Chris Jones, which he obviously isn’t, they have no chance in a game like that.
Denzel Perryman
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 20: Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after catching a first down pass in front of linebacker Denzel Perryman #6 and linebacker Christian Harris #48 of the Houston Texans during the AFC Divisional Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: Denzel Perryman, the Texans middle linebacker. I liked him in Vegas in that defense, but he got spun like a top in that game. He had no clue what was going on.
