There weren’t many postseason distinctions that the New England Patriots’ dynasty of the past two decades left solely in the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers. One category over which they still led the Patriots was total appearances since the NFL merger in conference finals games, having reached the AFC Championship Game 16 times.
They shared that lead with the San Francisco 49ers; however, with the latter advancing last night, they now own the record outright for the most appearances in the conference finals in NFL history since the 1970 merger with the AFL (beginning with Super Bowl IV).