When title is at stake, Brady is right at home

By JIMMY GOLEN Associated Press

As a 24-year-old in 2001, his second NFL season, Tom Brady stepped in when Drew Bledsoe was injured and led the New England Patriots into the playoffs.

When he arrived in Pittsburgh to play the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game, Brady couldn't believe he was there.

"Fifteen years later, to be a part of 10 of those, I never imagined that any of this was even possible," Brady said Monday. "You never take it for granted."

A sixth-round draft pick who spent his rookie year as the No. 4 quarterback on the Patriots' depth chart, Brady has grown into a four-time NFL champion and a three-time Super Bowl MVP.

On Sunday, he will play in the AFC Championship Game for the fifth time in a row and the 10th time in his career, extending what already was an NFL record.

"It's beyond what I'd ever imagined in my wildest dreams," Brady said.

New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said what's most remarkable about Brady is his consistency. After playing in six Super Bowls in his career — and another 24 playoff games leading up to them — Brady isn't likely to be overwhelmed by the moment.

"It's a big football game, and he's played in a lot of them," McDaniels said. "Doing the things that you've done to get yourself in this position are really important. … His preparation, his rest and treatment and getting his body ready and his mind right. He does a lot of the things every day to prepare for the next day.

"Even though these games have finality to them that some games in the regular season or preseason don't have, he approaches it the same way."

Brady is 22-8 in the playoffs, winner of his first 10 postseason games and his past four. His first career playoff loss and his most recent one were both in Denver, where he is 2-6 in his career.

The Broncos beat New England 30-24 in overtime Nov. 29 — a victory that earned Denver home-field advantage for Sunday's game. Manning was out for that one, but he will be back Sunday in what could be his last game against Brady.

"It will be fun to play another Peyton Manning-led team," said Brady, who had a long run of success against Manning when Manning was with the Colts.