NFL Playoffs 2019: Power Ranking the 4 remaining teams

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 12: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs hands the ball off to teammate Damien Williams #26 while reading the defense of the Indianapolis Colts during the first half of the AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 13: Sony Michel #26 of the New England Patriots carries the ball during the second quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

3. New England Patriots (12-5)

Overview: It’s safe to say that the Chargers never knew what hit them in Foxborough. Bill Belichick’s club played near-perfect football in the first half, scoring touchdowns on five of its first six possessions to take a 35-7 halftime lead. The Patriots outgained the Bolts in total yards, 347-128, after 30 minutes of play.

Tom Brady only threw one touchdown pass, but totaled 343 yards through the air. Rookie running back Sony Michel keyed a ground attack that amassed 155 yards as the 31st overall selection in 2018 ran for 129 yards and three scores. The Pats are now in their eighth-straight AFC title game. But Belichick’s squad was a disappointing 3-5 on the road this season.

Postseason History: Dating back to 2001 and under the guidance of Belichick, the Patriots own a 28-10 postseason record. Last Sunday’s 41-28 triumph over the Chargers was the franchise’s 35th playoff win, tied for the second-most in NFL history and one short of the record currently owned by the Pittsburgh Steelers (36).

This Week’s Opponent: Back in Week 6 on a Sunday night at Gillette Stadium, the Patriots survived a 31-point second-half outburst by the Chiefs, got a Stephen Gostkowski field goal on the final play of the game and handed Andy Reid’s team its first loss of the season, 43-40. This marks the Pats’ first visit to Kansas City since 2014.

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