NFL Playoff Picture: Why Tom Brady Makes Patriots AFC's Most Dangerous Team

The New England Patriots found themselves down 21-0 to the Buffalo Bills after the first quarter of their Week 17 matchup. Despite that score and the fact that the AFC's No. 1 seed and home-field advantage were slipping away from the Pats, quarterback Tom Brady looked as calm as ever. 

Brady then proceeded to carve up the Bills for 338 passing yards and three touchdowns, while leading New England to 49 straight points and a 49-21 comeback win. Ho hum, that's just what he does.

Brady has led the Patriots to four AFC titles and three Super Bowl championships. Now with home-field throughout the AFC playoffs, he and his New England team have to be considered the most dangerous squad in the conference.

The 34-year-old signal-caller finished the regular season having completed 401 of 611 passes for 5,235 yards, with 39 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

It was another fantastic season, as his 105.6 quarterback rating tells us. If not for the phenomenal years Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees are having, Brady would almost certainly have won his second straight MVP award.

The Patriots are always dangerous with Brady under center, and this year should be no different. New England is currently on an eight-game winning streak and finished the year at 13-3.

Their longtime quarterback has a ton of weapons at his disposal, and receiver Wes Welker and tight end Rob Gronkowski are playing as well as anyone at their respective positions in the NFL right now.

While the team's defense has holes—specifically when defending the pass—Brady will be almost impossible for any other AFC team to outscore. 

Right now, the Patriots have a fairly clear path to the Super Bowl, as long as Brady keeps chugging along.