FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- The New England Patriots have had what seems like an annual spot in the AFC championship game over the past decade.
But the fact that this year's game is at home could factor into whether they are able to make a return trip to the Super Bowl.
The Patriots became the first team since the 1970 merger to advance to the AFC title game in six straight seasons with their win over the Houston Texans last week.
The Patriots are 5-1 at home in AFC championship games, with their lone loss coming in 2013 against the Ravens in Ray Lewis' final trip to Foxborough.